Publication date: March 22, 2022
My Thoughts:
A coming of age, first queer love story told in verse about two small town trans young men characters, Oliver and Aaron. Their birth family names are never revealed as the book starts off with Oliver researching a story of two possibly trans soldiers from the American Revolution and the two characters who were best friends first and growing into love and realization that they are both trans take on the names of these two soldiers.
The story is complicated from life in a small town, feeling like the only two queer youth, as well as the different cultures and family dynamics that they represent. How, when can they come out to their families? How do their families react? How do their families accept/reject this budding relationship? Everything is further exacerbated when Aaron and his family quickly move away from the community. Most of the novel in verse then moves to written correspondence, text messages and one sided conversations.
This novel in verse is a great book if readers want to read about young, queer, multicultural love; family secrets; friendship; growing pains; small town dramas; American Revolution reenactments; queer history resources.
Although I do not publish these posts in the order that I am reading, a natural follow up if students are more interested in just the idea of trans, gender identity and questioning one's own identity, they may want to read the graphic novel Fine by Rhea Ewing (publication date Apr 4, 2022)
From the Publisher:
A modern love story, told in verse, about two teenaged trans boys who name themselves after two Revolutionary War soldiers. A lyrical, aching young adult romance perfect for fans of The Poet X, Darius the Great is Not Okay, and Aristotle and Dante Discover the Universe.
For as long as they can remember, Aaron and Oliver have only ever had each other. In a small town with few queer teenagers, let alone young trans men, they’ve shared milestones like coming out as trans, buying the right binders―and falling for each other.
But just as their relationship has started to blossom, Aaron moves away. Feeling adrift, separated from the one person who understands them, they seek solace in digging deep into the annals of America’s past. When they discover the story of two Revolutionary War soldiers who they believe to have been trans man in love, they’re inspired to pay tribute to these soldiers by adopting their names―Aaron and Oliver. As they learn, they delve further into unwritten queer stories, and they discover the transformative power of reclaiming one’s place in history.
Further reading on trans history is included in backmatter.
For as long as they can remember, Aaron and Oliver have only ever had each other. In a small town with few queer teenagers, let alone young trans men, they’ve shared milestones like coming out as trans, buying the right binders―and falling for each other.
But just as their relationship has started to blossom, Aaron moves away. Feeling adrift, separated from the one person who understands them, they seek solace in digging deep into the annals of America’s past. When they discover the story of two Revolutionary War soldiers who they believe to have been trans man in love, they’re inspired to pay tribute to these soldiers by adopting their names―Aaron and Oliver. As they learn, they delve further into unwritten queer stories, and they discover the transformative power of reclaiming one’s place in history.
Further reading on trans history is included in backmatter.
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