Graphic novel about a boy who is gay but afraid to admit it, even to himself. He’s worried about starting high school in the coming year, looking foward to a summer at Scout camp first. But has to deal with bullies and jerks who pick on him for being slightly chubby, soft-spoken, and of mixed race. Some of his friends and a counselor there are very supportive and helpful, others not so much. Fire has a large symbolic presence. Tons of dick jokes- I really could have done without all that, but it probably won’t surprise any kids who read this. Also addresses the stress of living in a family with a violent, angry father. And there’s a religious aspect- the boy is devoutly Catholic, but is starting to realize that some of the church teachings condemn what he feels he is. That’s very hard to come to terms with. There’s a scene where the main character feels so low, he seriously contemplates suicide- so warning for that. It’s a powerful story.
Borrowed from the public library.
