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The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School

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2022 novel by Sonora Reyes
The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School
AuthorSonora Reyes
LanguageEnglish
GenreYoung adult fiction
Set inPhoenix, Arizona
PublisherBalzer + Bray
Publication dateMay 17, 2022
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint / Digital
Pages385
AwardsLambda Literary Award for Young Adult Literature (2023)
ISBN978-0-06-306023-4
OCLC1264273041

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.

Themes and background

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

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

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." 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." 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." The Lesbian Review concluded that those "in the mood to devour an engrossing, poignant and uplifting young adult novel look no further because this story is filled with so much hope and love."

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. The following year, it was included on Young Adult Library Services Association's list of Teens' Top Ten.

Year Award Result Ref.
2022 Goodreads Choice Award for Young Adult Fiction Nominated
National Book Award for Young People's Literature Finalist
2023 Lambda Literary Award for Young Adult Literature Won
Pura Belpré Award Honor
Walter Dean Myers Award Honor
William C. Morris Award Finalist

References

  1. ^ "THE LESBIANA'S GUIDE TO CATHOLIC SCHOOL". Kirkus Reviews. 2022-02-08. Archived from the original on 2023-05-01. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
  2. "Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School Book Review". Common Sense Media. Archived from the original on 2023-05-01. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
  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 1 May 2023. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  4. Cedillo, Melissa (2022-06-24). "Through queer protagonist, novelist revisits Catholic school". National Catholic Reporter. 58 (19). Archived from the original on 2023-05-01. Retrieved 1 May 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 1 May 2023. Retrieved 1 May 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 1 May 2023.
  7. April (2022-06-28). "The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes: Book Review · The Lesbian Review". The Lesbian Review. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  8. "Best Teen Fiction of 2022". Chicago Public Library. Archived from the original on 2023-04-08. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
  9. "2023 Teens' Top Ten Winners". Young Adult Library Services Association. American Library Association. Archived from the original on 2024-05-16. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
  10. "The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School". Goodreads. Archived from the original on 2024-02-04. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
  11. "The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School". National Book Foundation. Archived from the original on 2023-05-01. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
  12. "National Book Award Finalists Announced". Shelf Awareness. 2022-10-05. Archived from the original on 2023-12-05. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
  13. Alquist, Pierce (2023-06-12). "2023 Lambda Literary Award Winners Announced". BOOK RIOT. Archived from the original on 2024-02-28. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
  14. "Pura Belpré Award". Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC). 2021-03-24. Archived from the original on 2023-05-14. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
  15. ^ Roback, Diane; Kantor, Emma; Jones, Iyana (2023-01-30). "Luqman-Dawson, Salati, and Tahir Win Newbery, Caldecott, Printz Awards". Publishers Weekly. Archived from the original on 2023-03-30. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
  16. Jones, Iyana (2023-01-10). "2023 Walter Dean Myers Awards Announced". Publishers Weekly. Archived from the original on 2023-02-09. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
  17. "Morris Award". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). 2012-02-27. Archived from the original on 2023-05-14. Retrieved 2023-05-01.

External links

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