Flamer by Mike Curato

 

Curato,Mike. Flamer. Henry Holt; 2020. ISBN: 978-1-62779-641-5

Plot 

The story follows Aiden at his last  boy scout summer camp. He is grappling with his identity, is body conscious, bi-racial and finding out about his sexuality as a young gay boy. In this time he is thinking about the school year ahead, being it would be his first year in high school. He is dealing with the hyper masculine culture of the boy scout summer camp while he is more on the "feminine" side of likes and mannerisms, and often bullied for it.  He discovers he is having feelings for another boy in camp, and also questioning the way the church is homophobic, he is trying to make peace with these two, and deals with some internalization of shame.  He is isolated and feels lonely, and in a moment of despair, and questioning of his place in the world. he is confronted with an internal voice that gives him renewed hope. 

Critical Evaluation 

Author  brings to the page topics that boys deal with  in the confines of masculinity, not expressing oneself, if one veers away from the simple notions of manhood, bullying occurs. Anti - Asian sentiments are expressed as well as a young boy dealing with abuse at home.  The illustrations are a brilliant addition to the story, as images of fire, close ups in dialogue, facial expressions, and simple colors all telling powerful story. There is language that can be off putting, but one that many young people may very well be experiencing especially if they are more feminine of center, and cisgender male presenting. It is a powerful read that connotes many emotions, and one often is feeling great empathy for Aiden, and would wish he had more support. Ultimately he discovers his self worth and reason to live. 

Reader's Annotation 

Teenage boy coming to terms with his sexuality as LGBTQ+, right before entering high school at a Boy Scouts summer camp, where he is bullied and he finds out a lot about himself. 

Author Info

Mike Curato is the author-illustrator of the wildly popular Little Elliot picture books. Mike’s debut title in the series, Little Elliot, Big City has won numerous awards and has been translated into over ten languages. There are now four additional Little Elliot books – Little Big Family; Little Elliot, Big Fun; Little Elliot, Fall Friends; and Merry Christmas, Little Elliot. Mike is the illustrator of Worm Loves Worm by J.J. Austrian, All the Way to Havana by Young People’s Poet Laureate Margarita Engle, What if… and The Sharey Godmother, both by Samantha Berger, and The Power of One by Trudy Ludwig. He also wrote and illustrated his debut young adult graphic novel, Flamer, which has received critical acclaim.

 

Born and raised outside of New York City, Mike has been drawing ever since he could hold a pencil. As a boy, Mike also had a thing for cars, especially classic ones with big fins and chrome eyeliner. He collected Matchbox cars and Hot Wheels and “drove” them up railing highways and turned carpets into parking lots. But more than anything as a kid, Mike dreamed of making picture books. 

Source: The Author Village 

Genre

Graphic Novel 

Booktalking Ideas 

I will go to the scene of Aiden speaking with Ted about the true north and magnetic north, conversation on being lost, and what Ted tells Aiden, on keeping going, and finding himself. 

Reading Level/Interest Age

Ages 14 +

Challenge Issues

LGBTQ+, I will defend it with the Library Bill of Rights, Publisher's Weekly review and the Los Angeles County Book Collections Policy. 

Why I Chose This Book

Because graphic novels are great for younger readers, the protagonist struggles with his sexuality and ultimately his self -esteem, he is also a young boy that is mixed race. 

Why Children's Books Aren't Just For Kids (Interview with Artists Isabel Roxas and Mike Curato)