A review by misterintensity
How to Be Remy Cameron by Julian Winters

4.0

There are a few truths about Remy: he’s black, adopted, gay, and he recently had his heartbroken. He’s pretty sure who is but when given an AP Literature assignment to write about himself, he starts to wonder if he’s just defined by labels. Also there’s a new guy who thinks he’s cute. This is a funny, earnest book about someone trying to figure out who he is for himself not for others. The characters are likeable and there are quite a few funny moments in the book. Besides the essay, Remy has to contend with a new boy he’s crushing on but he has sworn off dating and his crush is not ready to be out; a best friend whose obsession with learning the identity of a mysterious graffiti artist is affecting their friendship; and he learns something about his life that is shocking. Told from Remy’s point of view, the narrative may not feel earth shaking but it feels that way to him, which is of course the case for any teenager. Highly recommended for readers of The Field Guide to the North American Teenager and Simon Versus the Homo Sapiens Agenda.