A review by hannahjreidel
The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes

challenging emotional inspiring tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

While I may never personally relate to all aspects of Yami’s character and life, many aspects of this book resonated much more deeply with me than I expected. Main plots within this book highlight the expectations enshrined in religious households, particularly relating to the queer community. Throughout the book, we see Yami as the older sibling held responsible for her brother’s actions, as one of the only Latina students in her white, wealthy catholic school, as the closeted lesbian, once-outed by “friends”, and as a daughter, trying to maintain a relationship with her parents, while her next steps depend on her parents’ reaction to who she is. I think this piece of YA literature is so so necessary for all youth and young adults to read, but even for those who are older readers. It perfectly encapsulates the experience of knowing your queer identity in high school, and how every decision you make is focused on how it will out you or make others uncomfortable, intertwined with how heavy a burden living your life this way can be. I am so grateful that the generations after us will have these books to read and role models to admire, so we can one day read these books and ask “how could a parent not love their children unconditionally?” because it will be second nature to love first.
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