I'll Get There. It Better Be Worth the Trip

by John Donovan

Good Books rating 3.77

Young Adult (YA)

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ID: 10943
Added: 2026-02-15
Updated: 2026-02-15
ISBN: 9780738727172
Publisher: North Star Editions, Inc.
Published: 2010-09-08
Reviews: 3

I’ll Get There. It Better Be Worth the Trip. is a seminal work that was the first teen novel to openly address homosexuality. Set in 1969, the story follows Davy Ross, a thirteen-year-old boy who moves to Manhattan to live with his estranged mother. The novel captures the essence of adolescence and the struggles of self-discovery in a time when societal acceptance was limited./n/nThe book is notable for its candid portrayal of Davy's experiences and emotions as he navigates his new environment and forms a significant connection with another boy. This relationship becomes a pivotal moment in Davy's life, marking a turning point in his understanding of himself and the world around him.

Reviews

Goodreads · 2023-01-01

touching 3.80

The book is touching and heartfelt, focusing more on Davy's personal journey than his relationship with Altschuler. It offers a unique perspective on self-discovery and emotional growth.

This book is really well written and touching and heartfelt, but I felt as if it was less about Davy's confusion over his relationship with Altschuler and more about his personal journey. The narrative offers a unique perspective on self-discovery and emotional growth, making it a compelling read. The author's ability to capture the complexities of a teenager's life is commendable, and the book's emotional depth resonates with readers.

Quick quotes

This book is really well written and touching and heartfelt

I felt as if it was less about Davy's confusion over his relationship with Altschuler and more about his personal journey

The narrative offers a unique perspective on self-discovery and emotional growth

Mondo Molly · Molly · 2013-06-25

rich 4.00

The book provides a rich portrait of a teenager dealing with grief, loss, and friendship. It offers a sharply-drawn slice of New York City in the late 1960s, making it a compelling read.

This book is a rich portrait of a teenager dealing with grief, loss, friendship, and truly terrible parents. It offers a sharply-drawn slice of New York City in the late 1960s, making it a compelling read. The narrative is engaging and provides a deep insight into the protagonist's struggles and emotional journey. The setting and characters are well-developed, adding to the overall richness of the story.

Quick quotes

A rich portrait of a teenager dealing with grief, loss, friendship, truly terrible parents and a sharply-drawn slice of New York City in the late 1960s

It offers a deep insight into the protagonist's struggles and emotional journey

The setting and characters are well-developed, adding to the overall richness of the story

The Book Smugglers · Thea and Ana · 2010-08-09

groundbreaking 3.50

The book is significant as the first LGBT YA mainstream novel, but its trope of 'bury your gays' is disappointing. The writing style is blunt and staccatoed, which may not appeal to all readers.

This edition is the 40th anniversary edition of the book, first published in 1969 and it is recognised as the first LGBT YA mainstream novel to hit the shelves. The book is significant for its groundbreaking themes, but it falls into the trope of 'bury your gays,' which can be disappointing. The writing style is very blunt and staccatoed, which may not appeal to all readers, but it does add a raw and unfiltered quality to the narrative.

Quick quotes

This edition is the 40th anniversary edition of the book, first published in 1969 and it is recognised as the first LGBT YA mainstream novel to hit the shelves

The book falls into the trope of 'bury your gays,' which can be disappointing

The writing style is very blunt and staccatoed, which may not appeal to all readers

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