Flamer

Gay main character identity.

Parents need to know that Flamer is the debut YA graphic novel by author/illustrator Mike Curato, who's best known for his Little Elliott picture book series. But this book is definitely not for younger readers. Set in the 1990s, it follows 14-year-old Aiden Navarro as he negotiates summer camp with a few boys he can't stand -- and one boy he can't stop thinking about. Archery, basketweaving, and campfire songs are all on the agenda, but so are secrets, misunderstandings, bullying behavior, and mounting stress. Expect frequent use of "f--k," "s--t," "f-g," and their variants, with less frequent uses of "prick," "d--k," "c--ksucker," and "fudgepacker." Other language includes lots of homophophic teasing, bullying, and sexist talk about girls. Physical violence includes two scenes of physical assault; one of them is in a fiery vision with flaming arrows. A shower scene in which a boy gets an erection includes partial nudity (bare backs, top of buttocks, side profile) but nothing explicit. There's also a shared masturbation scene (no genitals shown) and lots and lots of talk about sex. Characters talk about suicidal ideation, and end pages refer readers to mental health resources. This book emphasizes positive messages about family support, how we're not as alone as we think we are, and stresses the importance of compassion and empathy.