beaky's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
this book is beautiful. I would recommend it to every queer kid (especially those who struggle with mental health). it's funny and heartbreaking and oh so sweet. Yami is such a reina and I love her. the side characters are fab too and the plot moves quickly in just the right way. TLGTCS is so deep and yet keeps it light and funny. PLEASE READ IT
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, Religious bigotry, Mental illness, Cursing, and Deportation
Moderate: Racism, Xenophobia, Lesbophobia, Biphobia, Bullying, and Outing
fareehareads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wowowow I loved this book so much. Yamilet & Ceasar have my whole heart !! This book gets so vulnerable and so real at times that i had to put it down (take off my headphones) and walk away several times. But I always got right back into it. The few things I can note here:
I felt all of the feelings as we learned about Yamilet's struggles, her determination to be self sufficient, her fears as she tries to hide her identitiy, her worries over her parents and her slowly opening up to new possibilities where she's not just surviving but actually living her life authentically. I loved all of the side characters soo much. The sibling dynamic was adorable & I was rooting for both of them all throughout I just love this book so so much. While there is a sweet story & an even sweeter ending, its all based in their reality & struggles which just made the whole experience so special. This books touches on religious guilt, internalized homophobia, fears of not being accepted by parents, constant internal doubt & even thoughts of suicide. I dont know how a younger me would have felt reading this book, but I'd like to think it would have given her some more permission to at least explore & not feel so guilty all the time.
Agh it was just so good I cant form full complete thoughts about it just PLEASE PICK IT UP NOW.
I felt all of the feelings as we learned about Yamilet's struggles, her determination to be self sufficient, her fears as she tries to hide her identitiy, her worries over her parents and her slowly opening up to new possibilities where she's not just surviving but actually living her life authentically. I loved all of the side characters soo much. The sibling dynamic was adorable & I was rooting for both of them all throughout
Spoiler
when Yami found out her brother was gay I quite literally gasped aloud. Gay siblings are always so funAgh it was just so good I cant form full complete thoughts about it just PLEASE PICK IT UP NOW.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Violence and Police brutality
levitatingnumeral's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School manages to touch on some really tough topics with grace and seriousness while being a light and pleasant read.
It’s truly lovely, I didn’t want to put it down and the characters are so well fleshed out.
It’s truly lovely, I didn’t want to put it down and the characters are so well fleshed out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Deportation, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Outing, and Racism
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Abandonment, Suicidal thoughts, Police brutality, Cultural appropriation, Forced institutionalization, Toxic friendship, Classism, and Xenophobia
Minor: Biphobia
tinyjude's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
One of my absolute highlights of this book was the relationship between Yamiret and Cesar. I love sibling relationships in books where they support each other.
Although some topics are triggering and hard to read, the book is so easy to follow and the lovable characters make the pain melt away a little. Bo is the absolute cutest and I love how much of a lesbian disaster both girls were, it was cute and lighthearted. It hurt to see Yamiret hide so much of herself, but I understand and I wish I had the courage Bo showed here when I was in my catholic school. As well as I understand the struggle to think about ways of earning money in case you get kicked out of home when you show yourself. Also Jamal and Cesar :( babies, I hope the best for them because they also seemed so cute.
It's always the art teacher or the English teacher and we love it audjsjs
The book also deals with topics such as cultural identity, police brutality (*cough* acab) and immigration/intolerance towards immigrants, sexuality, putting boundaries in relation with your adopted white family as a person of colour dettached from your culture and your people, mental health issues, homophobia, mentions of colonialism, racist encounters, colourism, stereotypes about latine people, especially women.
I think the author did a fantastic job, and definitely all the tears I shed on the last chapters at 3 am are proof of that. But most of all, what filled my heart with joy and broke me was Yamiret and Cesar's mom. I love her.
Although some topics are triggering and hard to read, the book is so easy to follow and the lovable characters make the pain melt away a little. Bo is the absolute cutest and I love how much of a lesbian disaster both girls were, it was cute and lighthearted. It hurt to see Yamiret hide so much of herself, but I understand and I wish I had the courage Bo showed here when I was in my catholic school. As well as I understand the struggle to think about ways of earning money in case you get kicked out of home when you show yourself. Also Jamal and Cesar :( babies, I hope the best for them because they also seemed so cute.
It's always the art teacher or the English teacher and we love it audjsjs
The book also deals with topics such as cultural identity, police brutality (*cough* acab) and immigration/intolerance towards immigrants, sexuality, putting boundaries in relation with your adopted white family as a person of colour dettached from your culture and your people, mental health issues, homophobia, mentions of colonialism, racist encounters, colourism, stereotypes about latine people, especially women.
I think the author did a fantastic job, and definitely all the tears I shed on the last chapters at 3 am are proof of that. But most of all, what filled my heart with joy and broke me was Yamiret and Cesar's mom. I love her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing, Biphobia, Toxic friendship, Bullying, Deportation, Violence, Hate crime, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Racism, Lesbophobia, and Homophobia
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, and Forced institutionalization
warlocksarecool21's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
this book healed something in me that I didn’t know needed to be healed 😂😭 I laughed and cried so much reading this book. I adore Yami so much, she was such a fun MC. Yami and Bo were so sweet and cute, I really enjoyed their relationship.
I loved Cesar so much and how he and Yami always had each other’s backs. And the arc about Cesar’s mental health was devastating and I just want to give him a hug 😭😭. The situation with Yami’s parents was heartbreaking but it made me so happy to see their mom come around in the end. The emphasis on love and family despite what they were all taught was really special to me.
This book deals with heavy subjects but it has the right amount of levity and comic relief. I honestly could not put this down and read it in one sitting. I’m so glad that there are more books about all kinds of queer experiences now that teens have access to. And to anyone that struggled with their identity or queerphobia in school I think this book is also for you.
I loved Cesar so much and how he and Yami always had each other’s backs. And the arc about Cesar’s mental health was devastating and I just want to give him a hug 😭😭. The situation with Yami’s parents was heartbreaking but it made me so happy to see their mom come around in the end. The emphasis on love and family despite what they were all taught was really special to me.
This book deals with heavy subjects but it has the right amount of levity and comic relief. I honestly could not put this down and read it in one sitting. I’m so glad that there are more books about all kinds of queer experiences now that teens have access to. And to anyone that struggled with their identity or queerphobia in school I think this book is also for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Outing, Cursing, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Blood
bluberrybooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Outing, Religious bigotry, Abandonment, Lesbophobia, Police brutality, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Xenophobia, Deportation, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Medical content
rorythebean's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia and Self harm
Minor: Deportation and Vomit
theliterarylair's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Journey of Identity and Resilience
Rarely has a young adult novel resonated with me as profoundly as 'The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School.' This book manages to be both unapologetically bold and delicately empathetic in its exploration of identity, faith, and family dynamics. If I were still teaching, this would undoubtedly be a part of my curriculum, its themes and characters offering a poignant discussion point for students.
While my heart yearned for a different resolution, the emotional journey the characters undertake is a testament to their resilience and growth. They aren't just fictional entities; they're individuals with palpable strength and vulnerability. The ensemble cast, diverse in their backgrounds and experiences, feels authentic and raw – a mirror to the real world.
The narrative's exploration of seeing parents as flawed adults, and the complexities arising from conflict within the marriage, offers a stark yet compassionate look at the dynamics that shape us. It's a reminder that families are intricate tapestries, woven from both love and imperfections.
'The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School' brings empowerment to its readers, evoking a sense of understanding and belonging. It's been a while since I've encountered a book so adept at reaching the innermost corners of my 16-year-old, reminding me that literature can still be a safe haven for those who feel lost, and a beacon for those navigating the labyrinth of self-discovery.
In a landscape hungry for genuine representation, this book stands tall, a remarkable testament to the power of storytelling. Every chapter invites readers to explore not only the characters' lives but also their own emotions and perspectives. 'The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School' is a mirror reflecting the myriad colors of human existence. It's a call to embrace one's identity, confront adversity, and recognize the beauty within our lives. An absolute must-read for individuals of all ages, this novel is an eloquent reminder that voices silenced by society's noise deserve to be heard."
Rarely has a young adult novel resonated with me as profoundly as 'The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School.' This book manages to be both unapologetically bold and delicately empathetic in its exploration of identity, faith, and family dynamics. If I were still teaching, this would undoubtedly be a part of my curriculum, its themes and characters offering a poignant discussion point for students.
While my heart yearned for a different resolution, the emotional journey the characters undertake is a testament to their resilience and growth. They aren't just fictional entities; they're individuals with palpable strength and vulnerability. The ensemble cast, diverse in their backgrounds and experiences, feels authentic and raw – a mirror to the real world.
The narrative's exploration of seeing parents as flawed adults, and the complexities arising from conflict within the marriage, offers a stark yet compassionate look at the dynamics that shape us. It's a reminder that families are intricate tapestries, woven from both love and imperfections.
'The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School' brings empowerment to its readers, evoking a sense of understanding and belonging. It's been a while since I've encountered a book so adept at reaching the innermost corners of my 16-year-old, reminding me that literature can still be a safe haven for those who feel lost, and a beacon for those navigating the labyrinth of self-discovery.
In a landscape hungry for genuine representation, this book stands tall, a remarkable testament to the power of storytelling. Every chapter invites readers to explore not only the characters' lives but also their own emotions and perspectives. 'The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School' is a mirror reflecting the myriad colors of human existence. It's a call to embrace one's identity, confront adversity, and recognize the beauty within our lives. An absolute must-read for individuals of all ages, this novel is an eloquent reminder that voices silenced by society's noise deserve to be heard."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Homophobia, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Racial slurs, Deportation, Self harm, Lesbophobia, and Racism
sunnysab's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Mental illness, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, and Deportation
martapsalvado's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book is beautiful inside and out 🩷💛 The pace was a little slow at times, but I really liked the story overall and how themes like being a queer kid in not very open environment, being a person of color in a predominantly white school, mental health, family issues and self-identity were handled.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Violence, Alcohol, Bullying, Deportation, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Biphobia, Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, Racism, and Mental illness
Minor: Xenophobia and Toxic friendship