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marypaz13's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This is my second time reading this.
The first time I read it (Sometime in 2023):
- Literally for the cover, it gave me Hunger Game vibes
- It was being contested in my state (Oklahoma, USA)
- I speed read it, but even then I didn't think of a reason for it to be contested
2nd read through:
- It was a bookclub book for my Banned Book Club
- Besides the obvious, I noticed a lot more this time around:
--> Mental health issues: Depression, Anxiety
--> Domestic Abuse
--> growing up too soon
--> societal/religious pressures
--> colors, well mainly read and orange
I don't understand how a book that represents realistic issues, realistic emotions, and realistic circumstances to be contested or banned. Is that not the goal of books? To be inclusive? To make one's story relatable to their audience?
The first time I read it (Sometime in 2023):
- Literally for the cover, it gave me Hunger Game vibes
- It was being contested in my state (Oklahoma, USA)
- I speed read it, but even then I didn't think of a reason for it to be contested
2nd read through:
- It was a bookclub book for my Banned Book Club
- Besides the obvious, I noticed a lot more this time around:
--> Mental health issues: Depression, Anxiety
--> Domestic Abuse
--> growing up too soon
--> societal/religious pressures
--> colors, well mainly read and orange
I don't understand how a book that represents realistic issues, realistic emotions, and realistic circumstances to be contested or banned. Is that not the goal of books? To be inclusive? To make one's story relatable to their audience?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Blood, and Cursing
Moderate: Violence and Suicide attempt
Minor: Domestic abuse
brimclala's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Racism, Homophobia, and Suicidal thoughts
mbdemateo's review
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
user_unknown17's review
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
michaelbereading's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
During the summer between middle school and high school, Aiden Navarro finds himself at camp, where everyone else seems to enjoy themselves and fit in. As he manages friendships, confronts bullies, and shares moments with Elias, a boy who occupies his thoughts, Aiden embarks on a journey of self-realization and embracing who he truly is.
Let me start by saying that I am not typically drawn to graphic novels. I have never been able to get into them, but my husband recommended this and was certain I would love it... He was right. This was so stunning. The story, combined with the artwork, really resonated with me. It felt so real, and was authentic to so many of my experiences that I had growing up feeling trapped in social situations with other boys. Literally no notes.... This book was perfect, devastating, healing, and painful.
I mean this quote on the back of the book does a perfect job of explaining my own complicated feelings of being labeled as gay by peers and family before I even knew what it meant... "I know I’m not gay. Gay boys like other boys. I hate boys. They’re mean, and scary, and they’re always destroying something or saying something dumb or both. I hate that word. Gay. It makes me feel . . . unsafe."
The fact that this is consistently one of the most banned books every year for the past 4 years is infuriating but not at all surprising.
Let me start by saying that I am not typically drawn to graphic novels. I have never been able to get into them, but my husband recommended this and was certain I would love it... He was right. This was so stunning. The story, combined with the artwork, really resonated with me. It felt so real, and was authentic to so many of my experiences that I had growing up feeling trapped in social situations with other boys. Literally no notes.... This book was perfect, devastating, healing, and painful.
I mean this quote on the back of the book does a perfect job of explaining my own complicated feelings of being labeled as gay by peers and family before I even knew what it meant... "I know I’m not gay. Gay boys like other boys. I hate boys. They’re mean, and scary, and they’re always destroying something or saying something dumb or both. I hate that word. Gay. It makes me feel . . . unsafe."
The fact that this is consistently one of the most banned books every year for the past 4 years is infuriating but not at all surprising.
lavenderbtcpodcast's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Teenage boys are so hilarious and weird. This book surprised me. But it hit a lot of challenging topics.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia, Violence, Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse
madding78's review
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
gainesvillebunko's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
zefancifulreader's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Queer Catholics gather round, this one is for us.
I’ve never read a book that so accurately represents the Holy Spirit. Her flame is divine and powerful and lives within us all.
Going into this I knew it was about Boy Scouts and coming of age but I had no idea it would speak so honestly of the Catholic experience and the complexity of the inner mind, especially during that big jump into Highschool.
I was so moved by this book. I definitely recommend it.
I’ve never read a book that so accurately represents the Holy Spirit. Her flame is divine and powerful and lives within us all.
Going into this I knew it was about Boy Scouts and coming of age but I had no idea it would speak so honestly of the Catholic experience and the complexity of the inner mind, especially during that big jump into Highschool.
I was so moved by this book. I definitely recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Self harm, and Violence
Moderate: Xenophobia
thepetitepunk's review
5.0
I had no idea what I was getting into. I was leaving the library, saw a Pride month table, quickly picked this book up because it was orange (woo! fun colors!) and that was that.
The little blurb on the cover says, “This book will save lives.” I agree.
Tender, fast-paced, and vulnerable with lovely illustrations. If you’re looking for an easy-to-read coming of age graphic novel, this is a great one covering topics such as sexuality, toxic masculinity, religion, and body image.
TWs: homophobia, fatphobia, religious trauma, alluded self-harm (brief and not explicitly shown)
The little blurb on the cover says, “This book will save lives.” I agree.
Tender, fast-paced, and vulnerable with lovely illustrations. If you’re looking for an easy-to-read coming of age graphic novel, this is a great one covering topics such as sexuality, toxic masculinity, religion, and body image.
TWs: homophobia, fatphobia, religious trauma, alluded self-harm (brief and not explicitly shown)