Flamer

by Mike Curato

Mike Curato (Illustrator)

I know I'm not gay. Gay boys like other boys. I hate boys. They're mean, and scary, and they're always destroying something or saying something dumb or both.

I hate that word. Gay. It makes me feel . . . unsafe.

It's the summer between middle school and high school, and Aiden Navarro is away at camp. Everyone's going through changes-but for Aiden, the stakes feel higher. As he navigates friendships, deals with bullies, and spends time with Elias (a boy he can't stop thinking about), he finds himself on a path of self-discovery and acceptance.

Award-winning author and artist Mike Curato draws on his own experiences in this debut graphic novel, telling a difficult story with humor, compassion, and love.

• ISBN10: 1250756146
• ISBN13: 9781250756145
• Publish Date: 1 September 2020
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 5 April 2024
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: St Martin's Press
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 368
• Language: English

Reviews

[mrs_mander_reads]

This is such an important book, I think for all ages, not just teens. To read about the experience (though only based on the author's life) of a young boy in a traditionalized setting like the Boy Scouts of the early 90s is so powerful. I think it's paramount that there are books like this around - to give people a life raft when they feel alone in places like the church, clubs, schools, etc.
The artwork is also amazing.