Tag Archives: LGBTQ+

Forest Hills Bootleg Society

Posted on by

Review by M. Comeaux 12th grade

This graphic novel is sure to catch the eyes of queer kids and people everywhere, and anyone trying to navigate new relationships and how they’ll affect your other ones! In a strict, rigid, religious private high school town, a group of four queer teen girls navigate consuming anime, selling bootleg DVDs to their peers, and their own interpersonal relationships (romantic or not). A contemporary graphic novel, this book will be sure to touch the hearts of LGBTQIA+ teens and those used to very strict and repressive religious/small-town environments. It discusses the idea of how dating within a friend group can affect others, and the changes we can experience in high school, whether they’re good… or bad. I liked the small details the artist and author included in the panels. There’s a lot of context and random information provided via text bubbles and a few pages that break from the main story to provide an idea of why the situation is the way it is. I personally appreciate the breaks; they’re witty, help the reader take a moment to better know the situation, and they’re great fourth-wall-breaks. The flow is very cluttered, and confusing at times. Trigger Warnings: Swearing, homophobic slurs, implied masturbation (momentary), homophobia, infidelity, mentions of drug use, implied abuse (momentary) organized religion, and its ending is very- bitter. It’s a realistic ending, but there aren’t sunshine and rainbows. It’s a good read, for sure, but the reality of this book, and the themes it tries to convey, are sad and will cause heart pangs.

Different Kinds of Fruit by Kyle Lukoff

Posted on by

From the author of the Newbery Honor book “Too Bright to See” and the picture book “When Aidan Became a Brother,” Kyle Lukoff presents us with a novel on the queer community through the eyes of sixth grade Annabelle. When a vocal, cool binary student, Bailey, joins her class, Annabelle is instantly infatuated with them, and begins to wonder if this is actually a crush. When she brings Bailey home, Annabelle’s parents instantly act awkward and seem to be discouraging their friendship. Misreading their attitude about Bailey’s gender identity, her parents share with Annabelle that her dad is not only transgender, but a seahorse father. (He was the one who birthed Annabelle when it was discovered that her mother was unable to have children). Once this is out in the open, Annabelle, Bailey, and their families get involved in the Spectrum Families chapter in Tahoma Falls and Seattle, WA. Annabelle continues to try to “figure out which letter in LGBTQ+ applied to me, now that I know that I was something.” National Coming Out Day (NCOD) is quickly approaching and Annabelle feels pressured to figure it out soon.

From the very beginning, I saw this is as an “instructive manual” on how to “they/them” and teach terms such as butch, femme, seahorse, pan, and more. While I respect this possible motive by the author, for me, it drove the book rather than an interesting plot. I believe there are better books out there on questioning your sexual and gender identity, but if you’re looking to add to your collection, this may appeal to lower middle school students.

The Girl from the Sea, by Molly Knox Ostertag

Posted on by

This graphic novel is a sweet LGBQT+ romance perfect for middle and high school readers. It tells the story of Morgan and the selkie she meets again, Keltie, and their new romantic relationship. Their romance is complicated by Morgan’s fears of coming out, a recent separation of her parents, and an ecological subplot involving Keltie’s concern for her seal friends’ safety with new environmental hazards on the horizon. I enjoyed the colorful graphics and the sprinkled text format used by Morgan and her other school friends. The combination of styles was an interesting change of pace. Morgan’s worries about coming out and her secret relationship with Keltie felt believable. I was really rooting for them to figure it all out. The ecological sub-plot felt a bit contrived and less believable, but ultimately, I was oohing and ahhing over the sweet ending of the book. The illustrations are well done, bright, and energetic. I enjoyed the multi-ethnic cast of characters, including the selkie. Middle school and high school readers looking for a sweet, gentle, gender-bending romance will be charmed by the tender connection Morgan and Keltie have, along with feeling sympathy for the concerns they both have that complicate their relationship. Even though the ecological sub-plot is not really believable in its outcome, the human (human-selkie) connection absolutely is believable and worth the read –  right down to the surprise twist at the end. I can see myself handing this book to many middle school readers!

Miles Away From You

Posted on by

Miles is going through a difficult time right now. Vivian, a trans girl he fell for, dropped out of school for, and moved in with, attempted suicide and is left in an irreversible coma. Pressure is put on him to fight for her right to die with dignity, something her parents are actively fighting against just as they fought against her transition. Vivian and Miles ran an online blog about queer advocacy, so Vivian’s case has become famous, putting even more stress on Miles. His mothers realize he is struggling and send him for a month to Iceland. This epistolary novel recounts Miles’s time there as he grapples with grief and guilt. Unfortunately, Vivian is a two-dimensional character and the other gender nonconforming person who is present assaults and robs Miles. However, the protagonist’s dealing with his loss and his return to art is a touching journey. There is good queer representation in other ways; Miles struggles with his pansexual identity, there is a gay Icelandic love interest, and Miles’s mothers are adorable. VERDICT Though flawed, this is a good purchase for where road trip novels are popular.

I don’t know how to recommend this book.  I’m a grown adult and wouldn’t consider myself a prude, but this book is pretty explicit. It claims to be a book following someone through their grief of losing a girlfriend, their first love, but really just turns into a summer of sex in Iceland as he tries to forget his pain.   There were definitely parts that were unnecessary, as if they were just put in for shock value.  I also feel like the book to tries to represent as many minority groups as possible which just made it feel forced, like the author was just checking boxes.

After talking with one of our openly LGBTQ+ students, who had also read the book, we agreed that it would be good to keep in our collection.  While the writing isn’t the best, for someone who is still searching for answers, it would be good to have another account of someone who is still exploring their true self.

This is How we Fly

Posted on by

It was cute I guess, the sports parts and friendship aspects were fun. However, I felt the stepmom story line was exaggerated. The stepmom was not new to the family, it sounds like they had an okay relationship earlier when the main character was young. The arguments between the two felt blown out of proportion just to create a story, it felt forced. Overall it was a decent read because of the friendships and sports. It wouldn’t be on my list of MUST READ, but if you’re looking for a fun fairly quick read, it’s okay.