Title: Flamer
Author: Mike Curato
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Publication date: September 1, 2020
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Summary
For the summer between middle and high school, Aiden Navarro is at Boy Scout camp. Being a notorious time of change, Aiden is getting anxious about starting at a public high school in the fall. Not only does he have to navigate changing friendships and bullies, but he’s also questioning his sexuality.
As Aiden spends more time with Elias, he starts to realize that maybe he has romantic feelings for this boy. But his Catholic religion tells him that these feelings are wrong. Adapting to all of these changes puts Aiden on a path to self-discovery and acceptance, just in time for a new chapter in his life. He just needs to find the courage to stand up for himself.
Review: Flamer
Thanks to MacMillan for an advanced copy of this to review! I’ve seen the finished copies of this at work, and it’s even lovelier in person! The art in this book is fantastic; I love the way that Curato uses color to emphasize fire throughout, making it parallel to Aiden’s journey. Pulling on his own experiences, there are a lot of teens that will feel seen through this story.
There are moments of this book that are difficult to read. Aiden deals with a lot of bullying and homophobia from fellow campers. Some of their conversations are difficult to read because there are conversions like this that still happen for LGBTQ+ kids and teens. While this book can make teens not feel so alone, it could also be triggering for some.
Despite some of the dark moments, there are also a lot of funny and heartwarming moments in this book, too. The writing overall complemented the art really well, working together to tell this important story. The friendships are perhaps the most important part; Aiden finds people who accept him for who he is, which helps him on his path toward self-acceptance.
Overall, this is a story that features the range of emotions one feels while growing up. Definitely one to keep on your radar!
4/5 stars