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Sato, Takuya (Director). (2018). Kase-San and Morning Glories [Film]. Sentai Filmworks.

Kase-San and Morning Glories follows the story of young high-schooler Yamada and her crush, Kase-san. These two main characters have widely different social lives and run in different circles at the school, so when Yamada realizes she has a crush on Kase-san, she isn’t sure what to do. The plot follows Yamada’s own internal struggle in realizing her own queerness and how to express it and the subsequent relationship that follows.

The film adaptation of this manga does a wonderful job of keeping every little detail in the plot. This is an incredibly heartwarming story that follows the ups and downs of young queer romance, coming out, and coming-of-age. Kase-San and Yamada complement each-other beautifully and you can’t help but root for them through every step of their blossoming relationship. I believe that many queer teens and young adults would find solace in how soft this plot is. Although it does have typical coming-of-age themes and the struggle of hiding a queer relationship, the story treats these issues with such an overwhelming sense of hope and resolution that it’s not something the audience has to dwell on. I really enjoyed this film (and the manga!) from start to finish.

Awards: None

For a sneak peak, take a look at the trailer: https://youtu.be/SRJJtaZekbI

Image Source: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7456468/mediaviewer/rm996769793/?ref_=tt_ov_i

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Ishihama, Masashi. (Director). (2021) Horimiya.[TV Series] CloverWorks.

Horimiya follows the friendship of Kyoko Hori and Izumi Miyamura, two highschool students who have very different personal lives and personalities. As their friendship develops, the story also begins to follow the friendships and relationships of their friends and peers. Emotions run high in these compelling romances and coming-of-age stories as each character experiences love or loss and learns more about themselves along the way.

This anime was deeply moving and had an incredibly interesting use of color to depict emotion. There is a huge focus on identity and how identities can change based on settings or audience. The romances we see follow stories that are heart-warming and heart-wrenching and everything in between, all without making any characters the “villain”. Every character is painfully human; we witness deep insecurities, mental illness, and struggles that most coming-of-age teens will be able to relate to. The one issue I have with this series, like most anime today, is the lack of diversity. It would have been nice to see at least one queer character or relationship in this series. For anyone seeking a queer manga/film with a similar tone, I highly recommend Kase-san and Morning Glories which I have also reviewed this week!

Awards: Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2022 Award Winner for Best Romance

See the trailer for this beautiful anime here: https://youtu.be/5-kX2jC7Fsk

Image Source: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13103134/

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Tamaki, Mariko. (2019) Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me. First Second.

Seventeen-year-old Freddy Riley writes to an advice column seeking guidance on how to navigate her on-again, off-again relationship with the girl she loves, Laura Dean. Through the drama of being dumped several times, Freddy tries to make sense of Laura’s actions and wonders if she is the problem in all of this. Is monogamy viable? Are relationships just like this? And while she is wrapped up in the ups and downs of this one relationship, is she maybe ignoring other possibilities? Freddy learns about all kinds of loves and how to find what love is best for her in this adorable graphic novel.

This is exactly the kind of novel that I desperately needed during my teen years. As a queer Asian woman with a history of on-again, off-again relationships myself, reading Freddy’s story felt like reading my own. Getting caught up in the cycle of a bad relationship while trying to figure out why it’s not working can be so difficult, frustrating, and consuming in ways you often can’t understand until you break the pattern. I think this is a very important narrative for teens to see and I enjoyed that Laura Dean isn’t villainous as a partner, but just not a good fit for Freddy. I also enjoyed that polyamory is included in the narrative as a viable option rather than being ignored or dismissed, while still acknowledging that it isn’t for everyone, which I’ve found has thankfully become more common!

Awards:

2019 Harvey Award for Best Children’s or Young Adult Book

For a fun playlist to listen to while you read this, check out the Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me Playlist: https://youtu.be/5-kX2jC7Fsk

Image Source: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/40864841

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Muir, Tamsyn. (2019) Gideon the Ninth. Tordotcom.

The Ninth House Reverend Daughter and Necromancer Harrowhark Nonagesimus finds herself in need of a swordsman to accompany her on her journey to prove herself to the Emperor through a mystery of trials. Her only competent choice for companion happens to be the brash, difficult, and full-of-sarcastic-charm, Gideon. Though constantly at odds and often wishing the other dead, these two embark on a journey that will reveal more about themselves and each other than either of them are prepared for.

This captivating novel manages to land itself right in the middle of science fiction and fantasy while silmutaneously teaching me more about human anatomy than I ever expected to know in my lifetime. There is an incredible amount of LGBT+ representation with many of the main characters exhibiting same-sex attraction and I found the descriptions of gay panic and flirtation to be incredibly spot-on and entertaining. This book had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish with a mystery so intense I found myself drawing maps and keeping track of items while reading to see if I could figure it out.

Awards: None

Look here for an interview of author Tamsyn Muir on the book: https://www.vox.com/culture/22266652/tamsyn-muir-interview-locked-tomb-gideon-the-ninth-harrow-the-ninth-vox-book-club

Image Source: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/42036538

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Benson, S. et al. (2017) Night in The Woods (Switch Version) [Video Game] Finji, LLC.

Night in The Woods is a single player story game that follows young adult Mae Borowski who has dropped out of college and decided to return to her hometown, Possum Springs. Players can interact with the surroundings as well as the people in Mae’s life to learn more about her and her relationships. There is an underlying mystery to Mae’s past and the current happenings in the town which reveal themselves over the course of the playthrough.

It is fairly well known that Night in The Woods has several nods to the small towns in Pittsburgh and Western PA. As someone who has spent most of their lives in Pittsburgh, this offered huge appeal when the game was recommended to me. The game touches on themes of loneliness, isolation, mental health struggles, class struggles, and many other issues that are often prevalent in young adulthood. Mae, as a character, is generally sarcastic and detached but maintains a level of relatability that keeps players interested in her story and the stories of those who surround her. Playing through this game felt like reading a book or getting to know someone new and the added mystery surrounding Mae’s past and the town kept me moving through the plot fairly quickly. Teens who are struggling with mental health and isolation will likely find comfort and solace in this narrative; despite the darker themes, the game uses humor and intrigue in ways that are ultimately uplifting.

Awards: BAFTA Games Award for Narrative

Click here for a trailer of this spectacular game: https://youtu.be/u17kM8oSz3k

Image Source: https://store.steampowered.com/app/481510/Night_in_the_Woods/

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Moore, D. B. (2019). The Stars Beneath Our Feet. Random House Children's Books.

After the death of his older brother, twelve-year-old Wallace “Lolly” Rachpaul tries to navigate his grief by searching for ways to cope while coming of age in the projects of Harlem. During this process, Lolly finds that building with Legos is his greatest source of peace. While building castles from his imagination, he also builds new relationships that help him figure out who he is and what kind of future he wants for himself.

The Stars Beneath Our Feet carries a very powerful message to young children who are dealing with injustice and the grief that can often follow it. Lolly experiences a vast amount of emotions – often described as a rock in his chest – which are a product of the circumstances surrounding his brother’s death and his desire to decide how he wants to move forward in his life, whether that be with anger and revenge or with trust and creativity. Readers can see how each decision Lolly makes may change the course of his life forever and truly showcases how difficult those decisions can be when dealing with deep anger, sadness, and hopelessness. The novel features an incredibly diverse cast of characters, many of which are POC and LGBT. This is the first novel I’ve read that featured multiple queer parents who are all POC and have healthy relationships with their children.

Awards: Coretta Scott King – John Steptoe Award for New Talent

Interested in the audiobook? Here is an excerpt read by the author: https://youtu.be/eTRSW2OY50Y

Image Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34057229-the-stars-beneath-our-feet?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=Z2N59SMGAB&rank=1

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Hitchcock, B. (2016). The Smell of Other People's Houses. Wendy Lamb Books.

From the perspectives of multiple teens who are growing up in 1970’s Alaska, The Smell of Other People’s Houses is a showcase of diverse experiences in coming of age. With a focus on the things we remember and the things that matter, this book dives into issues ranging from the transition to statehood in Alaska to how these boys and girls find their place in the world from varying backgrounds and ethnicities.

I was not prepared for how impactful this book was going to be. From the first chapter onwards, Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock manages to write memories in a way that made me feel as if they were my own. From the focus on the smells of people & their houses to the small details that we remember years after an event, she captures melancholic nostalgia in a way that had me clutching my tissues and praying for a happy ending. There was a strong theme of diversity which spoke to the relationships between native Alaskans, the wealth disparity and what life looked like on both ends of that spectrum, and how the Alaska gaining statehood had upended the lives of many.

Awards: The Alaskana Award

Want a second opinion? Check out this review by Linda Buckley-Archer on The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/aug/20/the-smell-of-other-peoples-houses-by-bonnie-sue-hitchcock-review

Image Source: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/19370304

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Dodie. (2017) You [EP] Doddleoddle.

Dorothy Miranda Clark, known as Dodie, began her musical career by posting her original songs and covers to YouTube. Her second EP titled You features themes of complicated relationships, insecurity, and struggle.

Although You is too short to be considered an album, I’ve always found that these songs really pack a punch. Dodie explores everything from navigating crushes and awkward relationships to feeling too plain and experiencing heartbreak. My favorite song on the album is Secret For The Mad, which is also the title of her autobiography which was released a few months after the EP in 2017. The lyric, “I get that I don’t get it” is repeated throughout the song which I think is a sentiment many teens and young adults can relate to hearing and I find her insistence that the “little things, all the stereotypes / They’re gonna help you get through this one night” is really powerful because stereotypical uplifting messages and the little things may not seem helpful but in my experience as a now-adult those things really do make or break a day.

Awards: None

Interested in hearing the You music video? See it here: https://youtu.be/UaIZE6-yUKs

Image Source: https://open.spotify.com/album/6xeFX3yRvaEV7ny5WKZ4cA

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Lukens, F.T. (2021). In Deeper Waters. Margaret K. McElderry Books.

During his coming-of-age tour on the sea, Prince Tal finds an unexpected connection with a prisoner brought aboard the ship. The prisoner, Athlen, jumps overboard and leaves Tal distraught. Tal believes Athlen has died, but to his surprise he encounters Athlen again in his kingdom. In Deeper Waters features pirates, magic, and plenty of intrigue.

This book is an evenly paced, light and cozy gay fantasy romance that I just couldn’t put down. Each character brings a new unique personality to the table; making it possible to connect with several side characters as well as our main characters. Tal’s relationships with his siblings are particularly wholesome. I enjoyed the nod to The Little Mermaid with the inclusion of merfolk and a sea witch, though I wouldn’t consider this a re-telling of that story (some may disagree). Overall, I think this is a great read for any lgbt+ teens who are looking for a soft & sweet romance with some coming-of-age overtones.

Awards: None

Check out the NPR Book Review by Caitlyn Paxson here: https://www.npr.org/2021/04/24/989445880/in-deeper-waters-is-a-frothy-romantic-confection

Image Source: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/54303971

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Wolfram, A. (Writer), & Chang, M. (Director). (2004, May 9). Troq (Season 4, Episode 6) [Tv series episode]. In S. Schwartz (Executive Producer) Teen Titans. Cartoon Network.

In this episode of Teen Titans the team meets Val Yor who states that his mission is to eradicate the Locrix – an alien species that he claims have harmful intentions. The Titans immediately idolize Val Yor for his combat and leadership and even adapt to some of his phrasing, including calling the Locrix “Crixies”. Early into the episode, Val Yor treats Starfire differently than the rest of the Titans because she is a Tamaranean and later goes as far as calling her a “Troq” which we learn is a slur used against the Tamaranean people. During the siege against the Locrix, Starfire saves the life of Val Yor. In the end, he attempts an apology towards her, but his prejudice is still present and the Titans do not accept it. Val Yor leaves, saying that the Titans are no better than the Tamaraneans.

This episode was very clever in its approach to the topic of racism but for the sake of nitpicking I have to wonder if it would have been better for them to approach it with less caution. There is a point in the episode where Cyborg mentions how he understands what it’s like to be prejudiced against for the way you look because he is part robot but does not mention how he is discriminated against for being a black man. I think there was an opportunity there to be up front about the topic but they chose to go for a lighter and perhaps more palatable appeal. The show typically centers around lighthearted humor, but there are plenty of episodes that take on a more serious tone, so it wouldn’t have been out of character for them to take that kind of tonality in this episode as well. The biggest issue with the episode, however, is the fact that the Titans continue to support Val Yor in his eradication of the Locrix species without question despite having learned that he’s racist. If they had stopped to question his motivations, they might not have agreed with that mission.

Awards: None

Check out the iconic opening and theme song here: https://youtu.be/yL75mtNZ6PA

Image Source: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0343314/?ref_=ttmi_tt

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Langford, J. (2020). The Pride Guide: A Guide to Sexual and Social Health for LGBTQ Youth (Paperback edition.). Rowman & Littlefield.

Sex educator Jo Langford introduces a sexual health guide for LGBTQ youth that touches on all topics ranging from puberty to safe sex practices. This guide also covers gender identity and sexuality, intimate violence, coping with minority stress, and online safety. It also includes a section at the end for parents who may have questions regarding these topics and offers parenting advice.

The Pride Guide is written in a fun, approachable manner and covers a wide range of important topics that aren’t covered in the typical sex ed presentations we see in middle schools and high schools. That being said, I did find the chapters to be pretty scarce and lacking in some important information. Particularly, there wasn’t much information regarding sex between people with vaginas and manual sex is not discussed at all. The sections regarding lube and sex toys also fail to mention some important safety tips, including the risks of using flavored lubricants, how certain lubes can destroy certain sex toys, and the risks of using silicone toys that aren’t medical-grade. For teens exploring sex and sexuality, this guide offers the basics, but there is a lot of room for additional information.

Awards: None

Want to see what teen librarians think? Check out this review from the Teen Librarian Toolbox:  https://teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2018/07/17/book-review-the-pride-guide-a-guide-to-sexual-and-social-health-for-lgbtq-youth-by-jo-langford/

Image Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37512979-the-pride-guide?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=G151uM50OT&rank=2

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Babbitt, N. (2010). Tuck Everlasting (40th ed.). St Martin’s Press.

Winnie Foster, soon to be eleven years old, yearns for adventure away from her family’s estate. By peculiar chance she meets the Tucks, a family of four with a secret: they had all drank from a spring eighty years prior and became immortal. The Tucks each teach Winnie what it means to live forever, and in the end she must choose between everlasting life or the life she was desperate to run away from.

Although aimed towards young adults and children, Tuck Everlasting offers thoughtful insight into what it means to be mortal in a way that all ages can relate to. Traversing the idea of what it means to grow up and live your life is a daunting issue for young adults; caught between wanting to grow up as quickly as possible while still holding on to adolescence. This classic offers a wide range of perspectives on life by showcasing how 10-year-old Winnie feels versus how 17-year-old Jesse feels, and further through the perspectives of the rest of the Tuck family. There are, however, two major issues with this book: the kidnapping of Winnie and the age gap romance between Winnie and Jesse. Although Winnie does not express feeling like she is in danger with the Tucks, she does express fear and repeatedly asks to be brought home after they abduct her. During this time, she gets closer to Jesse Tuck, who asks her to wait until she is 17 to drink from the spring and become immortal so they can get married. While there is no romance to speak of besides this statement from Jesse, the pursuit of a 10 year old by a 17 (technically 104) year old can easily be classified as grooming. In the end, Winnie chooses a mortal life and the Tucks return to find her grave, so luckily the romance with Jesse is never realized.

Awards:

Janusz Korczak Medal, 1976 Christopher Award: Best Book for Young People

Interested in seeing the 2002 film adaptation? Here’s the trailer: https://youtu.be/rXbbAbDvifw

Image Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/84981.Tuck_Everlasting

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Konigsburg, E. L. (1967). From the mixed-up files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. New York :Atheneum,

Twelve-year-old Claudia hatches a plan to run away from home with her younger brother, Jamie, in an attempt to break the monotony and injustices in her life. As they traverse the challenges of living in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, they uncover a mystery surrounding one of the museum's statues.

A fast favorite of mine, this wonderful coming of age novel highlights that restless feeling experienced in young adulthood where you search for a moment to change who you are and settle into who you want to be. The mystery behind the statue in the Metropolitan Museum of Art quickly becomes Claudia’s catalyst for becoming the version of herself she longs to be. Konigsburg expertly writes Claudia’s point of view and I particularly enjoyed the focus on budgeting their allowances to afford food and transportation throughout the book as well as the discussions between Claudia and Jamie on what growing up has felt like, especially in a family with multiple children where they often feel like they’ve been placed aside. I also loved how Konigsburg highlighted the importance and passion for learning that both of the children have – they chose a new thing to learn about every day while living in the museum. Often, I find that books tend to lean towards talking about how much young adults hate studying or learning, but in my experience and in the experiences of many others, learning is an incredibly fun and fulfilling thing at that age.

Awards:

Annual Newbery Medal for Excellence in American Children’s Literature

For more information, check out this #MetKids video: https://youtu.be/8jnfsldTS9o

Image Source: https://www.amazon.com/Mixed-up-Files-Mrs-Basil-Frankweiler/dp/1416949755