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The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School

The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School is the debut young adult novel by American writer Sonora Reyes, published by Balzer + Bray in 2022. It was a finalist for the 2022 National Book Award for Young People's Literature and won the 2023 Lambda Literary Award for Young Adult Literature.

Plot

Sixteen-year-old Yamilet Flores, a resident of Phoenix, Arizona, is adjusting to her new, predominantly white Catholic school and reeling from being outed as a lesbian within her social circle. As she struggles to keep her sexuality a secret from her classmates and religious mother, she bonds with a classmate, Bo, who is out and proud.[1][2]

Themes and background

The book speaks to the theme of "found family", as well as self-acceptance, and the relationship between queerness and religion.[1] Yamilet is frustrated that she has to hide her sexuality at school and from her mother for fear of rejection.[3]

Sonora Reyes drew on their experience growing up as a closeted queer Catholic school student to inform the book's content.[4]

Reception

Selenia Paz reviewed the book in the School Library Journal as "filled with humor and love, this fast-paced novel will have readers immersed in Yamilet's world, rooting for her and her loved ones all the way."[5] The book was described positively in Kirkus Reviews: "The portrayal of found family and the threads of love and acceptance woven into this story make it a satisfying read with a hopeful ending."[1] April Spisak praised the authors' portrayal of both difficult and joyful elements in the Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books: "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."[6] The Lesbian Review concluded that those "in the mood to devour an engrossing, poignant and uplifting young adult novel [need] look no further because this story is filled with so much hope and love."[7]

Awards and honors

The Chicago Public Library included The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School on their list of the best young adult novels of 2022.[8] The following year, it was included on Young Adult Library Services Association's list of Teens' Top Ten.[9]

Year Award Result Ref.
2022 Goodreads Choice Award for Young Adult Fiction Nominated [10]
National Book Award for Young People's Literature Finalist [11][12]
2023 Lambda Literary Award for Young Adult Literature Won [13]
Pura Belpré Award Honor [14][15]
Walter Dean Myers Award Honor [16]
William C. Morris Award Finalist [15][17]

References

  1. ^ a b c "THE LESBIANA'S GUIDE TO CATHOLIC SCHOOL". Kirkus Reviews. February 8, 2022. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  2. ^ "Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School Book Review". Common Sense Media. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  3. ^ Recinos, Eva (June 2022). "I Wish I Had The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School as a Teen". Elle. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  4. ^ Cedillo, Melissa (June 24, 2022). "Through queer protagonist, novelist revisits Catholic school". National Catholic Reporter. 58 (19). Archived from the original on May 1, 2023. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  5. ^ Paz, Selenia (May 2022). "REYES, Sonora. The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School". School Library Journal. 88 (7). Archived from the original on May 1, 2023. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  6. ^ Spisak, April (May 2022). "The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes (review)". Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books. 75 (9). Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  7. ^ April (June 28, 2022). "The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes: Book Review · The Lesbian Review". The Lesbian Review. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  8. ^ "Best Teen Fiction of 2022". Chicago Public Library. Archived from the original on April 8, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  9. ^ "2023 Teens' Top Ten Winners". Young Adult Library Services Association. American Library Association. Archived from the original on May 16, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  10. ^ "The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School". Goodreads. Archived from the original on February 4, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  11. ^ "The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School". National Book Foundation. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  12. ^ "National Book Award Finalists Announced". Shelf Awareness. October 5, 2022. Archived from the original on December 5, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  13. ^ Alquist, Pierce (June 12, 2023). "2023 Lambda Literary Award Winners Announced". BOOK RIOT. Archived from the original on February 28, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  14. ^ "Pura Belpré Award". Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC). March 24, 2021. Archived from the original on May 14, 2023. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  15. ^ a b Roback, Diane; Kantor, Emma; Jones, Iyana (January 30, 2023). "Luqman-Dawson, Salati, and Tahir Win Newbery, Caldecott, Printz Awards". Publishers Weekly. Archived from the original on March 30, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  16. ^ Jones, Iyana (January 10, 2023). "2023 Walter Dean Myers Awards Announced". Publishers Weekly. Archived from the original on February 9, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  17. ^ "Morris Award". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). February 27, 2012. Archived from the original on May 14, 2023. Retrieved May 1, 2023.