The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School

De: Sonora Reyes

Narrado por: Karla Serrato

National Book Award Finalist * William C. Morris YA Debut Award Finalist * Goodreads Finalist for Best Teen Book of the Year * Walter Honor Award Winner * Pura Belpré Honor Book * Lambda Literary Award Winner for LGBTQ+ Young Adult

A sharply funny and moving debut novel about a queer Mexican American girl navigating Catholic school, while falling in love and learning to celebrate her true self. Perfect for fans of Erika L. Sánchez, Leah Johnson, and Gabby Rivera.

Sixteen-year-old Yamilet Flores prefers to be known for her killer eyeliner, not for being one of the only Mexican kids at her new, mostly white, very rich Catholic school. But at least here no one knows she’s gay, and Yami intends to keep it that way.

After being outed by her crush and ex-best friend before transferring to Slayton Catholic, Yami has new priorities: keep her brother out of trouble, make her mom proud, and, most importantly, don’t fall in love. Granted, she’s never been great at any of those things, but that’s a problem for Future Yami.

The thing is, it’s hard to fake being straight when Bo, the only openly queer girl at school, is so annoyingly perfect. And smart. And talented. And cute. So cute. Either way, Yami isn’t going to make the same mistake again. If word got back to her mom, she could face a lot worse than rejection. So she’ll have to start asking, WWSGD: What would a straight girl do?

Told in a captivating voice that is by turns hilarious, vulnerable, and searingly honest, The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School explores the joys and heartaches of living your full truth out loud.

Relatable

I love it, I started the book yesterday and couldn’t stop reading a roller coaster of emotions, it reminded so much of my relationship with my parents, also the relationship with my siblings.

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This book brought me back to my childhood & resurfaced forgotten memories of my own experience growing up in the closet. It made me feel sad when I remembered how I felt growing up, and there were many joyful moments where I put my hand to my heart when listening.

The book is real & authentic. It’s not a cheesy, cliche, or badly written YA high school or adult romance novel like a lot of lesbian fiction is.

It’s well written & it deals with issues of racism, immigration, self-harm, suicidal ideation, bullying, religious bigotry, and being disowned.

There are also beautiful portrayals of friendship, sibling relations, parent-kid relationships, and same-sex relationships.

The book centers around a Mexican American teenage girl who is struggling with her sexuality against the backdrop of her culture. She also struggles going to a new school (Catholic school) as one of the few people of color and one of the few people who doesn’t come from wealth. And she struggles with having the responsibility of having to take care of so much when it comes to her family because her dad got deported and she has to help support her mom.

This is the best lesbian romance novel I’ve read, and it’s the most real.

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Emotional in the Best Way

This story is filled with emotion at every turn. There were so many moments I felt seen. I laughed, I gasped, I cried. I had a wonderful time listening to this story.

compelling and beautiful

loved the story, it really goes through all of the everything! that comes along with coming out in a religious hispanic family. ot was a beautiful love story but most of all it was a love story about loving oneself and becoming a family with the ones that truly love you and Karla really brings to life who Yamilet is in this story.

Just what I was looking for

A friend recommended this novel & since this has been a challenging week, I thought why not? Normally, I don't care much for romantic stories, however this was so real & funny & honest & heartfelt. I love that these were two young WOC - so many lesbian stories don't center BOTH main characters as WOC. And to also keep the perspective of the family on that of a loving, supportive Mexican-american family was also what I needed to read. This is a great YA book but adults will definitely love it, too!