Flamer, by Mike Curato

Travel back to the 1990s and step into Mike Curato’s shoes through the character of Aiden Navarro, a young Boy Scout grappling with big feelings.

Title: Flamer

Author: Mike Curato

ISBN: 978-1250756145

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.

Publication date: 2020

Genre(s): Autofiction

Available format(s): Print graphic novel

Awards, honors, notable mentions: 2021 Lambda Literary Award winner

Reading level/interest level: Age 14 and up, according to Amazon

Summary: Middle school was hell for Aiden, so he’s relieved to be away at a Boy Scouts summer camp before he has to think about high school. While camp is a peaceful reprieve in some ways, he's still subjected to taunts about his weight, race, and sexuality. Aiden isn't quite yet sure who he is, yet, but he knows he hates the bullying. He’s also dreading going home, where his dad frequently terrorizes the rest of his family with his outbursts, and his mother depends on him for comfort.

The pain of it all burns inside him, almost to a breaking point - but somewhere in that raging fire might be a few embers of hope, in a couple of trusted friends, and maybe even in Aiden himself.

About the author: Mike Curato is a Filipino-American writer and illustrator, and proclaims that he is as fond of both roles as he is of cupcakes and ice cream. Curato began his career writing for youth with the picture book series Little Elliot, which follows the adventures of the eponymous (and adorable) elephant. Flamer was his Curato’s YA debut (Curato, n.d.).

Critical review: I fully sobbed during my break at work as I finished Flamer. I loved how sensitive and endearing Aiden was as a protagonist, and his relieved reaction to Violet’s supportive letter really set me off (I’m an empathetic crier).

But it is an exceptional book as a whole and proof that sometimes a visual medium really is the best way to tell a story. Now that I’ve seen Curato’s simple but powerful illustrations, I can’t imagine learning about everything burning inside Aiden any other way. The format imbued the consistent symbol of fire or flames (and the title!) with so much meaning.

Related programming ideas: An after-hours campout at the library during the summer would be a fun way to mirror the events of the book. The campout could include activities such as enjoying smores, making friendship bracelets, playing camp games, and sharing “ghost stories” (or even discussing banned books… scary!).

Brief booktalk: Travel back to the 1990s and step into Mike Curato’s shoes through the character of Aiden Navarro, a young Boy Scout grappling with feelings he can’t quite name, including a burgeoning but terrifying crush on a fellow male camper.

Potential challenges: According to the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom, Flamer was among the top 5 most challenged titles of 2022, facing over 60 challenges nationwide. It is frequently challenged for its LGBTQIA+ content and is “claimed to be sexually explicit” (ALA, 2023). Although I like to believe the communities surrounding my libraries are fairly progressive, I cannot ignore the possibility that Flamer could be similarly challenged here.

Reason for inclusion: Whether or not teen readers of this book struggle with coming to terms with their sexuality as Aiden does (and some surely will), most if not all teens will at least identify with facing peer pressure, exploring their identity, and navigating new crushes and friendships.

Check this out: An animated trailer for the book created by Mike Curato and his team!