The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes
Yamilet is a typical 16-year-old girl, except her best friend won’t speak to her after she comes out, and her brother never seems to take anything seriously. Multiplying her stress is her faith telling her she shouldn’t exist. And oh ya, she’s moving to a new Catholic school where she and her brother will be the only Mexican kids, and she will have to hide her queer identity.
I know some people reminisce about high school, but being in Yami’s head reminded me why I never want to feel as insecure as a 16-year-old girl ever again. Yami questions all of her relationships, from her bond with her mother to how to make new female friends without appearing “gay. “
This will be fine. I have a
Sonora Reyes, Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School
foolproof game plan:
Find a new best friend.
Don’t be gay about it.
There’s a lot of discussion of Catholicism, and it’s a view of homosexuality in this book. As someone who was raised Catholic, attended Catholic high school, taught Sunday school, and still loosely considers themselves a practicing Catholic, I felt deeply connected to that same dilemma. Like the teens in this book, I can’t stand the hypocrisy of what scripture is taken literally and what is not. Finally, I am obsessed with the cover and the reference to the Virgin Mary while depicting Yami with her hoops, eyeliner, and school uniform! It fits flawlessly with the vibe of the book!
A warm narration captures Yami perfectly and the chapter titles move the book along quickly.
Reyes tackles numerous complex topics in this book through Yami’s cautious inner monologue. I particularly enjoyed the way she depicted immigration and the microaggressions faced by immigrants; Yami’s reaction to the negative stereotypes mentioned by her peers and her fears towards police and deportation felt authentic and well-developed.
I’m just sick of being the one to shoulder the un-comfortability of every situation so other people can feel like everything is normal.
Sonora Reyes, Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School
This is my normal.
Yami is increasingly torn between coming out to her mother and fearing her reaction. This conflict, the book’s focus, tackles mental health extensively, focusing on the lack of parental acceptance. Through engaging, thoughtful writing, the reader experiences Yami’s insecurities and her eventual growth toward self-love.
If you love books about acceptance, coming-out stories, and high school woes, I highly encourage you to pick this one up.
