LGBTQIA+

Flamer by Mike Curato

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Genre: Graphic Novel, LGBtQIA+, Young Adult
Pages: 364 pages
Published Date: November 15, 2016
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. BYR Paperbacks
Series: N/A
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 
Age: 16+ (Amazon has for 14+) 

“Flamer” is a powerful and emotional graphic novel written and illustrated by Mike Curato. The story centers around a teenage boy named Aiden Navarro, who is struggling to come to terms with his sexuality and identity in a hostile environment.

The novel, set in 1995, takes place while Aiden is away at boy scout camp. He is enjoying his summer, except for being bullied by other campers. He is also terrified about starting high school after his difficult middle school experience. However, he soon finds that the bullying and harassment he faced in middle school will probably follow him to high school since some of the kids at camp (those who will be in high school with him) are constantly taunting him. One camp mate even goes so far as to physically assault Aiden because of his perceived homosexuality.

As Aiden struggles to navigate this difficult time, he turns to his love of the camp experience. Still, even in a place he loves, Aiden is met with challenges and setbacks, including possibly losing a close friend because of his feelings toward him.

What sets “Flamer” apart from other coming-of-age stories is the raw emotion and honesty with which it portrays Aiden’s struggles. The graphic novel delves deep into Aiden’s pain, fear, and confusion as he grapples with his identity and the hostility of those around him. The black and white illustrations in “Flamer” are stunning, with vivid red/orange/yellow colors to express Aiden’s feelings. Curato also has created expressive characters that bring the story to life.

Overall, “Flamer” is a moving and important graphic novel that offers an unflinching look at the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth. It is a story that will resonate with readers, whether they have experienced similar struggles or want to understand and empathize with those who have. The story is semi-autobiographical. “Flamer” has been challenged nationwide in school districts because families feel it is pornographic.

The reading age (according to Amazon) is between 14-18 years of age. I would feel that the reading age should be between 16-17+ years old.

Trigger Warnings: talk of porn, attempted suicide, self-harm, sex, and masturbation.

Oh My Gods! II by Stephanie Cooke and Insha Fitzpatrick

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Genre: Graphic Novel
Pages: 208 pages
Published Date: April 5, 2022
Publisher: Clarion Books
Series: Second in series
Rating: 4 out of 5 
Age: 8 – 12

DISCLAIMER:  I received an advance copy of Oh My Gods! II from the publisher through NetGalley for the purposes of writing an honest review.

In this sequel to the popular Oh My Gods! by Stephanie Cooke, we see that Karen, a demigod and the daughter of Zeus, has moved to Mt. Olympus. She is starting her junior year with her godly friends, and one of her extracurricular classes is the school newspaper, where she decides to investigate an online troll that goes by M1N0T4UR. While trying to figure out who this “person” is, Karen and her friends find a labyrinth beneath the school.

I really enjoyed the original Oh My Gods!, but this one didn’t do it for me. I wanted more about Mt. Olympus and the gods that live there. The story was entertaining, but if you took out what little there was about the gods, Mt. Olympus, and any other mythological stuff thrown in, you would have a middle-grade fun graphic novel. I was expecting more from Greek Mythology in the story. Just don’t go in with the assumption that you will get a lot of Greek Mythology. With that said, I would highly recommend this book.

This is the second book in the series.

#OhMyGods2TheForgottenMaze #NetGalley

Super Gay by Jessi Hersey

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Genre: Early Reader / Graphic Novel
Pages: 21 pages
Published Date: September 22, 2022
Publisher: Onenesslove Publishing LLC
Series: First in series
Rating: 4 out of 5 
Age: 1 – 6

DISCLAIMER:  I received an advance copy of Super Gay from the publisher through NetGalley for the purposes of writing an honest review.

This story is meant to be a simple read for those just learning to read, from ages 1-6, and for children with special needs.

Meet Madison (she/her) or also known as Super Gay. She is here to help young readers understand pronouns. She also wants everyone to know that love does not have to look a certain way. This short, but very colorful book pride themed book is great for readers that are just starting to read or being read to.

Kids in preschool and kindergarten will find this book very useful. They will get a better understanding of what pronouns are and how to use them. Not only does this book teach pronouns, it also presents them and the people they are attached to in an accepting way. If we can teach kids that love is love and it shouldn’t matter who you love, then the world will be a better place.

This is the first book in the series. The second one in the series is currently in the works.

#LGBTQIAchildrensbookSGPronounsPrek #NetGalley

Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi

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Genre: Young Adult / Speculative Fiction
Pages: 272 pages
Published Date: February 15, 2022
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Series: None
Rating: 5 out of 5 
Age: 12 – 17

DISCLAIMER:  I received an advance copy of Bitter from the publisher through NetGalley for the purposes of writing an honest review.

This is a companion to the National Book Award finalist Pet.

Bitter has been in and out of Foster care all her life. That is until she is chosen to attend Eucalyptus, a special school where students of all backgrounds get to study their interests. Bitter’s focus is art. The school is a sort of haven. With what is happening outside the walls of Eucalyptus in the town of Lucille, Bitter is more than happy to stay in the safety of the school. Outside in the city of Lucille, protests and injustices pull Bitter in many different directions. Old friends are trying to get her outside and be a part of what is happening around her. A new love interest pulls her away from what she loves. And then there is her creative passion for her art. What will she decide, and what will it cost her?

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Across a Field of Starlight by Blue Delliquanti

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Genre: LGTQIA+ / Graphic Novel / SCI-FI
Pages: 352 pages
Published Date: February 8, 2022
Publisher: Random House Graphic
Series: None
Rating: 4.7 out of 5

DISCLAIMER:  I received an advance copy of Across a Field of Starlight from the publisher through NetGalley for the purposes of writing an honest review.

Across a Field of Starlight is a face-paced, science fiction graphic novel with two non-binary characters at the center, Fassen and Lu. When they were younger, they met after Fassen’s ship crash-landed on a planet that Lu (and others from their community) were exploring. Although it was forbidden to talk with each other – Lu lives in a passive society, and Fassen fights against the Empire – they became fast friends.

Fassen wanted to get back to their people to help fight, but they were from a different solar system, and if Fassen left, they would never see each other again. From a crashed ship, Fassen found parts they needed to contact their word, and Lu figured out a way they could stay in touch as they grew up. But their communications needed to remain a secret, or the Empire would find Lu’s home and take it over as it has done with so many others.

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