The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School

The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School is a debut young adult novel by American writer Sonora Reyes. It was a finalist for the 2022 National Book Award for Young People's Literature[1] and won the 2023 Lambda Literary Award for Young Adult Literature.[2]

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

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.[3][4]

Themes and background

The book speaks to the theme of "found family", as well as self-acceptance, and the relationship between queerness and religion.[3] Yamilet is frustrated that she has to hide her sexuality at school and from her mother for fear of rejection.[5]

Sonora Reyes drew on their experience growing up as a closeted queer Catholic school student to inform the book's content.[6]

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."[7] 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."[3] 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."[8]

Awards and honors
Year Award Result Ref.
2022 National Book Award for Young People's Literature Finalist [1]
2023 Lambda Literary Award for Young Adult Literature Winner [2]
2023 Pura Belpré Award Honor [9]
2023 William C. Morris YA Debut Award Finalist [10]

References
  1. "The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School". National Book Foundation. Archived from the original on 2023-05-01. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
  2. "2023 Winners". Lambda Literary. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  3. "THE LESBIANA'S GUIDE TO CATHOLIC SCHOOL". Kirkus Reviews. 2022-02-08. Archived from the original on 2023-05-01. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
  4. "Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School Book Review". Common Sense Media. Archived from the original on 2023-05-01. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
  5. Recinos, Eva. "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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. "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.
  10. "Morris Award". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). 2012-02-27. Archived from the original on 2023-05-14. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
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