I have read it. It’s a really well done, empathetic portrayal of a 14 year old the summer before high school who is struggling with his sexuality, being accepted by peers, and his identity. There is a suicide attempt but not graphically shown, and in that context, a fight with his inner self where he figures out some things that are transformative. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed reading it. There is one scene that involves a group of boys masturbating into a bottle that is not depicted. I’m sad that they removed the book because it addresses bullying in such a way that a reader really understands the impact and they empathize with the victim. I also think there are a lot of kids in that main character’s shoes, and this book with its lessons would be a good resource for them. It is a book for a high school library, and it has found its way into middle school libraries where it is not a great fit.
I have read it. It’s a really well done, empathetic portrayal of a 14 year old the summer before high school who is struggling with his sexuality, being accepted by peers, and his identity. There is a suicide attempt but not graphically shown, and in that context, a fight with his inner self where he figures out some things that are transformative. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed reading it. There is one scene that involves a group of boys masturbating into a bottle that is not depicted. I’m sad that they removed the book because it addresses bullying in such a way that a reader really understands the impact and they empathize with the victim. I also think there are a lot of kids in that main character’s shoes, and this book with its lessons would be a good resource for them. It is a book for a high school library, and it has found its way into middle school libraries where it is not a great fit.
Read it, you won’t be sorry you did.