Rapunzel Reads - Book Reviews By & For Kids

Clementine H. Hopeful Is Not a Hero by Noah Corey (2026)

3/16/2026

Clementine has always felt like the villain of his story. While he’s in school, his teachers won’t call him by the right name (even though Clementine is a boy’s name, if a boy has it), his classmates tease him about his obsessive love for spiders, and he’s the only one who can see the floating faces that haunt the surrounding woods.

But all that changes when a boy named Beetle breaks through his bedroom window and warns him about monsters. Soon, Clementine is drawn into a world where every night in the woods, everything he and his new friends Beetle, Cricket, and Anise spend hours in a play-pretend world that seems to be seeping into reality.

But Clementine wants to use the power fueling their adventures to make things better outside the forest—not later, when he’s grown up, but now. And when he discovers the source of the magic, Clementine has to decide: Does he become a hero with Beetle and protect a world that hates him? Or does he finally become the villain, ready to build a new world whatever the cost?

Clementine H. Hopeful Is Not A Hero will be released on March 17, 2026.

Noah Corey crafts an intense, grounded story that gazes unabashedly at the people our society labels as monsters, without providing an easy out that sidelines the very real cost of this marginalization. This book is at once a warm hug and a battle cry to every middle schooler who feels too weird, too queer, or too misunderstood for the world they’re being raised in.

The magic of this book is fantastic—there’s a distinct sense of unreality that permeates the story, merging what’s real and what’s improbable to create a compelling atmosphere. It truly reads like a dream, and that’s part of what makes the emotional intensity so palpable: the movement from escapism to fact, from freedom to oppression, is vibrant and deeply resonant.

I really appreciated the characters in this story. Clementine, Beetle, Cricket, and Anise are well-drawn and unique personalities, as well-articulated by their conflicts as their genuine care for one another. The interplay each of them grapples with between hero and villain forms a strong emotional thread.

I recommend Clementine H. Hopeful Is Not a Hero to middle schoolers who so badly want to imagine another way of moving through the world.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.

Book description credited to the publisher.

Subscribe to Rapunzel Reads' Newsletter!

3/9/2026

If you haven't already: I hope you'll consider subscribing to the Rapunzel Reads newsletter!

As a subscriber, you'll get a monthly roundup of reviews, interviews, and more delivered directly to your inbox. We'll never share your email or spam you - we just want to find new ways to share our favorite stories!

Radio Silence by Alice Oseman (2016)

3/2/2026

By Nico

Frances: high-achieving, uni-bound, her love of art a footnote which she’s too embarrassed to explore outside of the fandom for of favorite podcast, Radio Silence.

Aled: the introverted creator of Radio Silence, written in secret as a missive sent to an unknown recipient, the one place where he can be himself.

The unlikely new friendship between Frances and Aled will change how they envision their futures, rewrite the constants of the world they’ve grown up in, and perhaps even give them the courage to reexamine who they really are.

I made it my mission this summer to read every book by Alice Oseman. I'd previously only read the Heartstopper graphic novels and I Was Born for This, all of which I loved, so I dug into the Heartstopper novellas, Solitaire, Loveless...and Radio Silence.

If you haven't read this book, all I can really tell you is to do so as soon as possible. Oseman has crafted one of the most authentic, multifaceted, and compelling coming-of-age stories I've ever read, starring characters I would truly follow anywhere. This book made me laugh and cry and want to scream at or hug characters at turns. This is a book I want to come back to, and then come back to again, because it's so beautiful and incredible that I know it won't lose that power anytime soon.

There are not enough YA books that feature a transformative friendship between a boy and a girl that never considers becoming a romance. Radio Silence is one of the few, and the sheer beauty and healing I’ve found through it makes me wish there were far more of them. Frances is for every high-achieving high schooler who is basing her future more on what people expect than what she truly wants; Aled is for everyone who doesn’t have the space to be themselves. This book is about growing up, self-discovery, and the importance of having people who you can rely upon. And I loved every minute of it! I truly can’t recommend Radio Silence highly enough to readers ages fourteen and up who are looking for their place in the world, or believe that they’ve already found it.

Wren Martin Ruins it All by Amanda DeWitt (2023)

2/23/2026

By Nico

Wren Martin, proud asexual, couldn’t be less interested in romance. In fact, his first act as student body president (who cares that his election win was based only on a technicality) is to get rid of the Valentine’s Day dance.

But the irritatingly flawless Leo Reyes, his new VP, has other ideas. Ideas like having an anonymous dating app sponsor the dance—and when Wren makes an account to figure out what the point is, he finds himself matched with someone he can’t help relating to. And maybe even fall in love with…

Managing the upcoming dance, unraveling his burgeoning feelings for this anonymous partner, and dealing with Leo might be too much even for Wren Martin to handle. In fact, he might ruin it all.

Over the summer, I put out a call on Instagram for a good queer ace romance novel (featuring an alloace protagonist). One title came up again and again: Wren Martin Ruins it All. Now that I’ve read it, I know I’d recommend it with the same enthusiasm!

I really loved this book! DeWitt does an incredible job showcasing the laughs and challenges of being in a relationship while asexual, and Wren is the perfect protagonist. His voice carries the book along at a fast, hilarious pace, and while cheering on his anti-dance platform I also found myself connecting with him on an emotional level that's kept this story in my mind ever since. I highly recommend Wren Martin Ruins It All to fans of contemporary fiction and queer rom-coms ages thirteen and up.

ages 13+ / fiction / humorous / LGBTQ+ / realistic fiction / romance / standalone / young adult

The Forest Queen by Betsy Cornwell (2018)

2/16/2026

By Nico

When Sylvie’s brother John takes over the duties of sheriff, she knows she has to act. She’s endured his hatred and abuses for years, but with his influence growing—and extending to the rest of the town—her future goes from painful to unbearable.

With few options left open to her, Sylvie escapes into the forest with her best friend, Bird, seeking only to make a place for herself away from John’s influence. But Sylvie isn’t the only one being oppressed by the new sheriff, nor the only one who wishes to escape. And as the community hidden in the woods swells with laughter, life, and defiance, Sylvie must decide whether this quiet rebellion is enough, or whether she’s ready to openly defy John’s power and make a far greater difference.

I’ve read many retellings of classic novels and fairytales, and The Forest Queen definitely stands out from the rest. Betsy Cornwell weaves an intricate, detailed tale that feels as true to the original as it does to the characters Cornwell has created. Some retellings feel stilted, but The Forest Queen—much like other favorite retellings such as Gabe Cole Novoa’s Most Ardently--feels more like the side of the story conventional narratives don’t think to mention than something created from another tale’s bones.

Probably my favorite part of this story was its ability to provide a deeper meaning and significance to the basic structure of the Robin Hood tale. The decision to inhabit the woods and, later, steal from the rich felt forced by the constraints of society, a necessity, which personally truly helped me connect with the characters and their motivations. Although definitely grittier than most takes on this story, I felt that worked better for the essence of the premise: as a story focused on how people in power hurt others, and especially women, the darker tone felt not just justified, but necessary.

Although there were some characters I wasn’t completely sold on (Bird is a great example), the core cast in particular was very strong. Sylvie’s decisions, lack of self-confidence, and strong friendships made her a relatable hero. And I couldn’t finish this review without noting that Cornwell made me hate the Sheriff far more than traditional Robin Hood stories. Overall, I highly recommend The Forest Queen to fans of feminist fantasy or retellings ages thirteen and up, particularly those who loved books like Valiant Ladies or Lavinia.

Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun (Onyeka, Book 1) by Tọlá Okogwu (2022)

2/9/2026

By Nico

People like to tell Onyeka that her hair is a problem—whether it’s strangers on the street who raise their eyebrows or her beloved mum trying to flatten it and tamp it down. Onyeka just wishes they’d all leave her alone: strangers, mum, troublesome hair, and all. But then Onyeka’s best friend, Cheyenne, almost drowns. And Onyeka’s hair saves her life.

Seemingly overnight, Onyeka is plunged into what feels like a new world: one where she’s part of a group of superpowered Nigerians known as Solari, and she and her mum are bound immediately for the Academy of the Sun. There, she’ll train alongside other Solari to gain control of her new abilities, while her mum searches for her vanished father: the one person who can explain and help with Onyeka’s abilities…and tell her and her mum why he told them to go into hiding right before he disappeared.

Alone and struggling to master her new powers, Onyeka will need all her courage and determination just to find her way at the Academy of the Sun. But even that might not be enough when she learns that all the Solari might be in deadly peril.

Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun is a fast-paced adventure of a book. The characters were awesome, with a thoughtful dimensionality that made me root for them immediately and not want to put this book down. In particular, Onyeka’s friendships—especially with Adanna and Cheyenne—feel incredibly genuine, and I can’t wait to see them develop through the later books. I recommend Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun to readers ages nine and up.

I Was Told It Would Get Easier by Abbi Waxman (2020)

2/2/2026

By Nico

Jessica just wants her daughter, Emily, to be happy. But somewhere in the past sixteen years, trying to juggle her career as a lawyer with being a single mom and sending Emily to a good high school that’ll prepare her for college, she feels like she no longer knows Emily at all. Now, the time she spends with her daughter seems to constantly turn into an argument—and the omnipresent I hate you almost makes Jessica wish she was at work, trying to improve her boss’s sexist policies, instead of in an even more futile battle with Emily.

Emily, in fact, does not hate her mom—she just doesn’t think she understands her. Sure, it’s all well and good that her mom got a law degree from Columbia and now breaks barriers in her all-consuming job, but that doesn’t mean she has any idea what it’s like for Emily, surrounded by college-related expectations when all Emily knows for certain is that she isn’t certain about anything.

When Jessica and Emily leave for a week-long tour of some of the East Coast’s most prestigious colleges, Jessica hopes it will be a chance to spend time with her daughter—and Emily is just glad to leave behind a school scandal that her mom knows nothing about. After the first day of the trip, both are pretty sure this will only make their relationship worse, not better. But as Jessica and Emily get to know each other better—and learn more about the other members of their tour—they realize that maybe understanding and love aren’t as far off as they’d believed.

I Was Told It Would Get Easier is a hilarious, witty coming-of-age story told in alternate points of view from mother and daughter that perfectly captures the struggles, diatribes, and absurdity of the end of high school and the college admissions process. I went into this book not expecting to be particularly sucked in by Jessica’s sections, but instead, her fabulous voice, and the complex but irrefutably accurate dynamic between her and Emily, made her my favorite point of view character.

The relationships in this book are definitely a highlight. The connection between Jessica and Emily lies fundamentally at the heart of I Was Told It Would Get Easier, but I can’t underestimate the relationships both have and form with old friends, classmates, and other tour members. They make every interaction and page come utterly to life, brimming with weirdness, believability, and snark. I highly recommend I Was Told It Would Get Easier to readers ages fourteen and up, particularly to anyone disillusioned by the college admissions process or struggling to decide what they want to do with their life and looking for a book as full of authenticity as it is humor.

Ink Girls by Marieke Nijkamp and Sylvia Bi (2023)

1/26/2026

By Nico

Cinzia loves working as a printer’s apprentice, where she learns to print the avvisi which spread the most important news throughout the city. After all, as the printer, Mestra Aronne, has taught her, it is their duty to spread the truth. But Cinzia is also scared of what can happen when the truth is something the people in power don’t want to hear—and so when Mestra Aronne is imprisoned by the principessa after printing an avvisi detailing the wrongdoings of a powerful magistrate, it’s all her worst fears coming true.

Cinzia doesn’t know how she can do anything to help Mestra Aronne, not when she’s being hunted by the principessa’s soldiers searching for the printer’s accomplice. But with the help of Carlotta, a fiery pirate, and Elena, the principessa’s determined daughter, Cinzia concocts a plan to show the whole world that Mestra Aronne is innocent—and to expose the truth about the magistrate once and for all.

I really liked Ink Girls! Full of bright, atmospheric illustrations and inventive twists, this book is a rallying cry for everyone who’s thought that their actions can’t make a difference. I really loved the characters—deep, interesting, and unique, they made the story irresistible. The illustrations perfectly complement the story, bringing this Italian-inspired world to vibrant life, and they truly sucked me into the story with all its twists and turns. The bravery and determination of the story felt both relatable and inspiring. I recommend Ink Girls to readers ages eleven and up, particularly those who like full-color graphic novels and stories about change.

Brooms by Jasmine Walls and Teo DuVall (2023)

1/26/2026

By Nico

Broom racing is illegal. Dangerous, even. But in 1930s Mississippi, it also provides a chance to make money, to leave the state, and to use the magic forbidden to anyone who’s not in power.

Meet the Night Storms: an all-female broom racing team determined to break some barriers and win big—for the sake of all of their competitors. And whether it’s to escape before losing their magic, to be their authentic selves, or to take their races to the national stage, the stakes, and the danger, couldn’t be higher.

Yet for the Night Storms, there’s hope as long as they can be themselves, and fight for a world where they no longer need to be afraid.

Blending historical injustice, magic, and powerful friendship and family bonds, Brooms is a beautiful story of standing up to oppression and being yourself no matter the odds that stand against you. I loved the characters; each one of the Night Storms have so much complexity and uniqueness, and I feel like I got to know each of their challenges and histories extraordinarily well, with Luella and Cheng-Kwan being personal favorites. With Black, Choctaw, queer and trans main characters, this book feels as though it perfectly encapsulates the side of historical Mississippi that simply isn’t represented enough. I also loved the art style—the full-color illustrations brought so much energy and joy to the tale, and I felt completely immersed in the story as I read through it. I highly recommend Brooms to readers ages eleven and up looking for a gorgeously illustrated, rebellious, and fiercely powerful graphic novel.

graphic novel / adventure / book group pick / family / fantasy / historical fantasy /
LGBTQ+ / standalone / young adult

Blood Water Paint by Joy McCullough (2018)

1/19/2026

By Lina

Seventeen-year-old Artemisia Gentileschi’s world is one of paint and canvas, grinding ink and blending hues, culminating in breathtaking paintings she pours her whole being into. At least until they're sold to the buyers her father brings to the house—buyers who think her father is the brilliant painter of the family.

Paint is her only solace, really. Her father is harsh and demanding. Her brothers, consumed with their studies, ignore and look down on her. And her mother passed away years ago, leaving Artemesia with stories of women whose bravery the Bible didn't quite do justice to and a crushing sense of loneliness.

Artemisia sees little chance of her suffocating existence ever changing. So when her father gets Signor Tassi, a skilled, charming painter, to tutor her, she's thrilled at the opportunity to hone her skills. And when she realizes he's beginning to fall for her, she dreams of a future that's always seemed impossible, a life in which she doesn't have to choose between freedom from her family and the freedom to paint. But Tassi doesn't care about what she wants, and their deteriorating relationship culminates in an assault.

Artemesia is sure she can't go on. She can't even bring herself to paint, the one thing that has always sustained her. But when she wants to give up all hope, the women from her mother's stories come back to her, guiding her, pushing her, protecting her—and encouraging her to tell her story, even if it seems the world doesn’t want to hear it.

I’ve been wanting to read Blood Water Paint for a while, and it completely lived up to my high expectations. Based on a true story, it’s an insightful, powerful exploration of what it takes to survive in a world that treats you like nothing—and to keep the most precious parts of who you are intact despite it all. McCullough’s spare, searing free verse brings seventeenth-century Rome to life; she evokes stunning imagery and visceral emotion in incredibly few words, and I was especially struck by her in-depth knowledge of the physical process of painting during that era. Artemisia is a raw, resilient, deeply appealing character, fiercely in love with her art; I wanted to cheer for her aloud by the end of the book, even as I was overcome with fury over the justice system’s abhorrent treatment of her. And the memories of her mother's palpable determination to instill in her young daughter an understanding of the world's cruelty towards women—and the belief that she can survive it—through the stories she tells her are a heartbreaking reminder of the insidious, inescapable impact of misogyny—and the importance of storytelling to survive it. A furious, gorgeous, incendiary novel with contemporary relevance, I would highly recommend Blood Water Paint to readers ages fourteen and up, particularly for book clubs and discussion.

I Was Born for This by Alice Oseman (2018)

1/12/2026

By Nico

The Ark: a boy band taking music by storm. Propelled by hit singles and an extensive fandom, the Ark has captivated England—the, soon, the world.

Jimmy Kaga-Ricci: the Ark’s frontman. Playing in a band alongside his two best friends used to be a distant fantasy for Jimmy, so he’s pretty sure he’s living the dream. Who cares that he gets harassed for being trans? Who cares that his anxiety is bad enough that just talking to fans can send him into a spiral? He would never want to give this up…would he?

Angel Rahimi: a fan. Because, yeah, that’s basically been her entire identity since she discovered the Ark’s first music video on YouTube years ago. And she finally has the chance to meet them in real life—which she’ll take advantage of, obviously, because no matter how much her family wants her to focus on academics, the Ark is her life.

But when Jimmy and Angel collide, it leaves them both questioning how they see the world, and who, without the Ark, they are.

I Was Born for This was the first novel I’ve read by Alice Oseman (Heartstopper), and I was initially leery—I loved their graphic novels so much, but would the different medium enthrall me the same way? Yet this book utterly blew me away. Describing this book is nearly impossible, because there is so much more to it than Angel or Jimmy or the Ark. It manages to delve effortlessly into questions about how we live our lives, what we believe in, reality, and growing up without ever appearing to, so it simply leaves you with the indelible feeling of hope and being seen.

I absolutely love all the characters. Every character is multidimensional and real, particularly the Ark’s members and Angel’s friends, and their clashes and struggles were so authentic that every interaction made me fall in love with them a little more. Alice Oseman is one of the best writers I’ve read at portraying friendship, and that spark of easy conversation when you connect with someone you have a ton in common with; the dialogue is amazing, with a realism and believability that few other authors capture so well. I also really appreciated the fact that there was no romance between the two primary characters, which felt incredibly refreshing after many other dual-POV YA novels. If you like absorbing, thoughtful realistic fiction stories with a spectacular cast of characters, I highly recommend I Was Born for This to readers ages fourteen and up!

Red and the Wolves by Cherry Zong (2026)

1/5/2026

For lovers of Through the Woods, Blackwater, and Squad, comes a dark, sapphic retelling of a classic tale.

Red, a fiercely loyal hunter, has dedicated her life to protecting her witch Grand Mother. Monsters have been roaming the forest that they call home, bringing forth a mysterious illness that has devastated the land and chased every living soul away. Until Red stumbles upon an injured wolf-girl named Sil.

Red is cautiously optimistic to befriend someone new, but the more their relationship deepens, the more she begins to uncover the sinister truths behind everything she’s ever known.

Red must make the difficult decision of who to defend, before catastrophe consumes them all. This graphic novel that's an apocalyptic fantasy meets queer love story turns Little Red Riding Hood on its head.

Red and the Wolves will be published on January 13, 2026.

Red and the Wolves is a gorgeous, immersive, and startlingly different take on the classic Red Riding Hood fairytale. There is no straightforward way to explain or characterize this tale, at once a queer love story, a mystery, an apocalyptic legend, and a dark dream anchored in a story as classic as it is unnerving.

Zong’s art is absolutely gorgeous, capturing an eerie fairytale aesthetic from the very first page with an atmospheric precision that drew me immediately in. Yet to simply regard Red and the Wolves as a dark fairytale reimagining would be to fundamentally ignore the strange, apocalyptic setting that lies at this tale’s heart. The roaming monsters, visceral danger and desperation, and electric energy of this world forms a powerful through line that anchors Red and the Wolves into the dark reality of the characters’ experiences.

The three primary characters of Red, Sil, and the Grand Mother are an incredible trio, and I loved watching their relationships play out. There’s so much fascinating depth to each of them, and the affection and suspicion in turns between them drives the plot forward.

I highly recommend Red and the Wolves to YA fantasy fans ages fourteen and up who are looking for a weird, queer reimagining of a classic fairytale.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.

Book description credited to the publisher.

ages 14+ / ARC / fairy tales / fantasy / fiction / graphic novel / horror / LGBTQ+ / standalone / young adult

Confessions of a Junior Spy: The Mean Girl Mission by Rosaria Munda (2026)

12/15/2025

A spy-in-training must infiltrate her best friend's school to investigate a mean girl who might just be an undercover assassin.

Bea is training hard to become a spy. Growing up in the Pangean Hotel, a secret sanctuary for spies, she spends her time studying self-defense, languages, codebreaking, and field medicine. And now she has extra lessons with her new mentor Ms. Halliday, not to mention a new babysitting job with her best friend Tommy.

But when her friend Chantal sends her a telegram about a mean girl named Mabel (who is almost certainly part of an international league of Assassins), Bea knows she has to go undercover at Chantal’s school. Except the closer Bea gets to Mabel, the rockier her friendship with Chantal becomes. Bea knows she needs to take down the Arctic assassins... but she never thought that could mean losing a friend.

The Mean Girl Mission will be released on January 13, 2026.

Like the first book in the series, Confessions of a Junior Spy, Munda has crafted a lighthearted, witty mystery centered around its character relationships. The primary trio of Bea, Tommy, and Chantal is a lot of fun to read about, and when their relationships are strained or shift, I only feel like I’m getting to know them better. Once more, the world of the Pangean Hotel is fantastic, and watching Bea journey beyond it in her investigations was a great new perspective on this world and her worldview.

This series earns itself a well-deserved place alongside other fun middle-grade mystery series like Mrs. Smith’s Spy School for Girls, the Misfits, and T.O.A.S.T. Recommended to middle-grade mystery fans who like stories centered around friendship and family, with a little dose of magic.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.

Book description credited to the publisher.

Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Book of Anansi by Angie Thomas (2025)

12/1/2025

All of Nic’s dreams have come true at last.

After years of living in hiding as a Remarkable in the Unremarkable world, Nic has everything she’d ever wanted: a big family, a forever home (in the magical city of Uhuru!), and, finally, a chance to learn the Gift at Manifestor school. And she’s hailed as a hero after finding the Msaidizi, a long-lost ancient magical weapon.

So life is perfect, right?

Well, except that her favorite author wants her dead, and a terrifying secret prophecy threatens her future. And Nic still can’t wield the Gift like other twelve-year-old Manifestors, which scares her. But then a bizarre encounter makes these problems seem as serious as a stubbed toe. She’s given a deadly ultimatum: Find the Book of Anansi or put her family’s life in peril. There’s just one tiny complication: Not only does no one know where the book is—they don’t even believe it exists…

Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Book of Anansi was released on September 16, 2025!

I loved Nic Blake and the Remarkables, and Angie Thomas has crafted a fantastic follow-up that left me only more invested in Nic and her world. Nic Blake has become one of my favorite protagonists in the middle-grade fantasy scene, and I can’t wait to watch her story continue to expand and gain a new, extremely well-deserved audience.

As always, Nic and the supporting cast are absolutely wonderful, with the kind of depth and complexity that left me so excited to read more after the first book. They’re distinct, witty, and play off each other in the best possible way, and I truly would follow them wherever this series goes next. Thomas concocts a flawless play on many of the best-established middle-grade fantasy tropes, making it feel both familiar and fresh even to someone who’s read widely in this space. I adore the world of the Remarkables, and I’m excited to see it explored even more in subsequent books.

Highly recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.

Book description credited to the publisher.

The Golden Boy's Guide to Bipolar by Sonora Reyes (2025)

11/24/2025

Seventeen-year-old Cesar Flores is finally ready to win back his ex-boyfriend. Since breaking up with Jamal in a last-ditch effort to stay in the closet, he’s come out to Mami, his sister, Yami, and their friends, taken his meds faithfully, and gotten his therapist’s blessing to reunite with Jamal.

Everything would be perfect if it weren’t for The Thoughts—the ones that won’t let all his Catholic guilt and internalizations stay buried where he wants them. The louder they become, the more Cesar is once again convinced that he doesn't deserve someone like Jamal—or anyone really.

Cesar can hide a fair amount of shame behind jokes and his “gifted” reputation, but when a manic episode makes his inner turmoil impossible to hide, he’s faced with a stark choice—burn every bridge he has left or, worse—ask for help. But is the mortifying vulnerability of being loved by the people he’s hurt the most a risk he’s willing to take.

The Golden Boy's Guide to Bipolar was released on September 16, 2025.

Sonora Reyes established themself as a force to be reckoned with in the YA contemporary scene with The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School, and The Golden Boy’s Guide to Bipolar further establishes that reputation. Reyes has a talent for crafting achingly compelling protagonists whose struggles are resonant and authentic, and Cesar is a truly incredible character who I couldn’t help but want to follow throughout this story.

The Golden Boy’s Guide to Bipolar has an overall darker tone than the previous book, weaving together Cesar’s struggles with mental health with pervasive Catholic guilt and his complicated relationships with the rest of his family. Once more, Reyes proves their talent to navigate even the weightiest of plots with delicacy and truth, turning this story into one that’s both wrenchingly accurate and thoughtfully handled.

I highly recommend The Golden Boy’s Guide to Bipolar to teen readers looking for a wrenching YA contemporary that rings deeply true.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.

Book description credited to the publisher.