A review by marywahlmeierbracciano
The Golden Hour by Niki Smith

emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Traumatized after witnessing an instance of gun violence, Manuel returns to school feeling anxious and withdrawn, but when he’s paired with Sebastian and Caysha for a group art project, the three become fast friends.  They bond over school bus rides to Sebastian’s house in the country outside of their Kansas town, where he’s raising a bucket calf for 4-H.  Manuel anchors himself in moments of panic by taking pictures with his phone, and his eye for photography leads him to the county fair as well.  The Golden Hour is a sweet story of smalltown friends, with gorgeous art and coloring and important messages about trauma and mental health.  They’re even a hint of baby queer love. 
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