The Lesbiana’s Guide To Catholic School

Yami’s first-person narration is compelling, as she acknowledges her own flaws freely and saves her best opinions for everyone else. The slow realization that she is also worth admiration and even love is all the more satisfying for the work taken to get there. There are still familial difficulties to contend with, like rejection from a father who was deported years ago, but the ultimate tone is a celebratory one, highlighting the mom who loves her kids ferociously and the alternative prom held after same-sex couples are forbidden at school events. Reyes doesn’t dismiss those harsher realities, but rather tempers them with a steady drumbeat that life does not have to be anywhere near perfect to still be deliriously joyful a lot of the time.

Reyes’s hopeful debut excels in its honest depiction of family dynamics, highlighting Yami’s sense of responsibility for Cesar and her loving but tense relationship with her mother. As the narrative vulnerably tackles difficult subjects such as intolerant religious institutions and living with mental illness, Yami’s sardonic voice adds levity and heart.

Debut author Reyes does not shy away from serious issues that teenagers face, approaching them with the utmost respect. Racism, homophobia, deportation, poverty, and suicide are just some of the topics covered within this story. Despite these darker elements, Yami learns to find positivity in her life through her family's and friends' encouragement to just be honest. Readers will applaud both Yami's and Cesar’s growth and bravery.

With off the charts heart and humor, The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School is an immediate favorite. Sonora’s voice is one to watch!

The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School is a story about bravery, love, and so much more. It’s about discovering what makes you feel most at home within yourself, and the comfort that comes with sharing those parts with the people you love, even when it’s scary. This book is a warm, protective hug for teens who are fighting to be seen as themselves in a world that wants them to hide.

Full of heart, humor, and a swoon-worthy young romance, The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School is the recovering Catholic school student’s road to healing. Balancing themes of self-advocacy and self-discovery with comedy and romance tropes, this is a must-read for queer teens growing into their own.