Flamer | 
pickThis was a #blameitonlitsy impulse read and I don't regret it. Such a moving graphic novel for young adults struggling with their sexuality/identity. Slightly based on the author's personal experience in the scouts, it examines friendship & finding community amid bullying & discrimination. But it is ultimately a story of hope in the face of all these challenges & accepting your whole self unapologetically
#LGBTQ2024 summer/nature/camp @Kenyazero
The latest episode from NPR‘s Code Switch takes up a hot topic: banned books. More to come!
Link to this episode where you can hear the author speak: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/code-switch/id1112190608?i=1000660224909
pick“I know I'm not gay. Gay boys like other boys. I HATE boys. They are mean and scary, and they're always destroying something or saying something dumb or both.”
The use of black & white contrasted with orange & red really packs a punch. The thematic use of fire takes on a multitude of meanings throughout the story.
This story hits hard & strikes deep into your heart.
Book 4 #20in4
Book 7 #summerreadingchallenge (banned or challenged)
pickThis is the top banned book right now so I wanted to see what it was about. I liked the art style and it was easy to follow the story while adding some depth to the emotion with the use of flames and orange/red coloring. There‘s a lot of mature content (sex, masturbation, and suicide), but it‘s ultimately about finding your place in the world and that everyone matters.
pickJarrett J. Krosoczka said “this book will save lives” and I really think that says it best. What a phenomenal resource for teens and other readers who are experiencing extreme bullying and harassment, and contemplating self-harm or suicide. My heart hurts for the character of Aiden and for the author who had these experiences to base the book on.
pickThis #bannedbook was lovely and meaningful. In this thoughtful graphic novel, the author explores the experiences of a kid who sees themself as different and is struggling with the labels others are putting on them. The boy scout camp setting offers the perfect backdrop and brought back memories of when my son was immersed in the Scout community, luckily his seemed more inclusive than most. #BookspinBingo @TheAromaofBooks #bookriotchallenge
pickWhen I saw this graphic novel was not only the 4th most banned and challenged book in the country in 2022, but also effectively banned in nearby Marietta this year, I had to read it for myself. Flamer tells the semi-autobiographical story of a Boy Scout struggling with homophobia, racism, and fatphobia during his last week of camp before high school. Moving, vividly told, and deeply compassionate, this is an important story to have on our shelves.
pickWowza. That was heavier than expected. Religious Boy Scout goes on a camping trip and finds himself feeling something new for another boy. The themes of bullying was so much. Aiden is bullied for his appearance, eyes & chubby. But also wonders his growing flame feelings for a boy. He can‘t like boys, that‘s a sin. Does that make him bad? Ending made me cry.
Half memoir; banned; Age: 14+
Tw: suicide, masturbation, bullying, boy jokes, almost nudity
pickThis was so well done! It‘s an LGBTQ coming of age story, part fiction, part autobiographical taking place during a week of scout camp the summer before Aiden goes to high school. It had me in tears at the end and brought back fond memories of my son‘s scouting years. All the feels for this one! Top 5 most challenged books in 2022 per ALA. #ReadHarder2023 #Pop23 ~a book that‘s been banned or challenges in any state in 2022
pickThe graphic novel format is perfect for this powerful, emotional coming-of-age story about a young man at camp the summer before high school. Inspired by the author‘s own experiences as a closeted kid at camp, this story touches on friendship, self-awareness, & acceptance, as well as more difficult themes including homophobia, bigotry, racism, & suicide. Spare prose, art rendered in black & white with occasional colors tell a compelling story.
pickAn excellent LGBT graphic novel. One of the best aspects is that Aiden doesn't truly find answers to his social problems or personal questions. The ground work is laid, but the come-away is that it is okay to be different, even if you don't have words yet for your identity.
pickThis was a difficult read. It really evoked a specific type of racism and homophobia that were so pervasive in the 90s. But I think it would be really helpful for a lot of kids. While it touched on a lot of dark topics including suicidal ideation, it also showed positive friendships and relationships with adults that helped the main character overcome that. #BBRCMiddleGradeYourStateAwardWinner #LGBTQBookBingoLibraryLoan @LibrarianRyan @Kenyazero
pickThis was so good! The last week at Boy Scout Camp before starting high school, Aiden struggles with his sexuality and dealing with bullies. I think this is a book that could really reach some struggling kids out there.
pickI'm on Australia time! We hosted family in Michigan last month & are visiting them in Brisbane this month. Feels great after not being able to do so for the past couple of years.
Anyway, here's my first book review for Pride Month. It‘s easy to see why this book won the 2020 Lambda Literary Award for the LGBTQ YA category. Full of teenage realism and an almost tragedy, it tugged on my heartstrings.
Full review: https://bit.ly/rvw-flamer
pickThis won the Lammy in 2020 for LGBTQ Young Adult. Having grown up queer and closeted in scouting in the late 90s through the 2000s, I related to a lot that happened in this graphic novel, and I think others might too. Curato also does a good job capturing the internal conflicts Aiden has because of his Catholicism. The ending might be seen as too abrupt/tidy by some. However, it didn't take away from my enjoyment of this book overall.
pickI thought this to be a very honest semi-autobiographical look at a young boy coming to terms with his sexuality while spending a summer at a boy scout camp. Warning, this book contains bullying - homophobia, racial, and body-shaming; abusive parent; suicidal intention; sexual identity. It‘s heartfelt, powerful, hopeful, and accompanied by great illustrations that worked well. Recommend!
#MiddleGradeMarch #MiddleGradeMarchThroughTime
pickAiden‘s experiences with bullies making it hard to just be himself are unfortunately not uncommon. I liked the way this book tackles tough topics without flinching. We get to see Aiden‘s personality really clearly in these pages and feel his pain. I felt like this book might make someone else going through similar things feel less lonely. Content warnings for body shaming, bullying, suicide, and homophobia. #Comic #LGBTQ #SummerCamp #Camp
The A to Z challenge has a monthly mini challenge, which is all I have left of this challenge this year. The October prompt (new to me author) felt like cheating for me because of the way I randomly choose books. The same will happen with November's prompt (I just won't pick fantasy because that's what I would call my "usual genre"). #ReadingChallenge #2021AToZReadingChallenge
This is what happens when you promise yourself a few books at the library, can't find them, take solace in picking other random books, and then find the books you wanted. You can't just put the random books back, that would be rude! #Library #LibraryHaul
pickAnother great graphic novel. It follows a young boy who comes to terms with his sexuality while at his boy scout camp in the early 90s. It can be a rough read because the author does not shy away from the blatant homophobia the main character faces. I will also mention the attempted suicide at the end which can be startling for some readers but the author explained was pulled from his actual lived experience.
What I'm supposed to be doing: weaving in the ends on this Harry Styles Cardigan.
What I'm actually doing: starting this graphic novel
pickA kid goes to summer camp where he is bullied but also works to figure out what he likes.
pickAn emotional look at grappling with self-acceptance and finding out who that you are is enough even when it seems like you‘re constantly being told otherwise.
pickI‘m giving this a pick because I think it hits the nail on the head for boys in middle or early high school. I‘m definitely not the right audience- so I didn‘t love all the dick jokes and discussion of puberty.
It‘s a graphic novel about a queer boy who‘s about to go into high school. He‘s at scout camp, navigating self discovery, dealing with bullies, and figuring out his own sexuality.
Trigger warning for suicidal ideation.
I picked up a free cocktail mix for a Texas Sotol Mocha, complimentary from #TexasBookFestival, #LitCrawl, Texas Monthly and Desert Door Sotol, which I‘ve never tried before. This will be the first alcohol I‘ve had since COVID started!
When I got to the TX Bookfest office to pick it up, they also had a shelf of free ARCs! I chose these 3, The Bridge for my LFL, Ring Shout and Flamer for me 😁📚. What a fun surprise!
pickShows how scary it was to be a gay teen in the ‘90s. An important read.
pickThis book brought tears to my eyes. It is about a teen boy that is questioning his sexuality. It is for anyone that has felt ashamed of being “different”. #loveislove #lgbtq #graphicnovel
