Flamer
By Mike Curato
Why can’t I just be me? Why does everyone pick on me–Asian, overweight, feminine features, not sporty–I just want to be me, Aiden Navarro. Aiden is off to summer scout camp before his first year in high school.
He has hopes of making friends, fitting in and belonging but summer camp although devastating at times becomes in the end a time of self-discovery.
This is a raw and gritty story about the effects of bullying, about choices and even one of friendship. Throughout the story I just wanted a friend, a confidant for Aiden–someone to say it’s okay to be you and I will stick up for you!
Author Jarrett J. Krosoczka (“Hey Kiddo”) says, “This book will save lives.” I agree and it is okay to be you and you are enough!
Genre: Graphic Novel–Realistic Fiction
Grade: 9 and Up language, content, suicide, bullying
Reading in the Middle 