by Mike Curato
King and the Dragonflies
By Kacen Callender
Towards the end of the graphic novel Aiden sums up his angst in twelve small boxes:
“It’s just going to keep going like this forever...
...on...
...and on...
...and on...
...and on...
...and on..
Too SHORT.
Too FAT.
Not MAN enough.
Not WHITEenough.
Not STRAIGHT enough.
I’ll never be safe ANYWHERE.”
Mike Curato, based this book on his own personal experiences. He nails the closeted kid experience! He shows the pain of self hatred alongside the greater culture of public hatred for being homosexual. But he also shares the hope and love that drives the inner light to help you come out and declare who you are.
These two books are perfect for middle grade students for their teachers and their parents.