- Book
- By Adam Silvera
- Reviewed by Valerie
Racial Representation: 4
LGBTQ+ Representation: 5
Disability Representation: 4
Body Size Representation: 1
Gender Representation: 3.5
Socioeconomic Representation: 5
Mental Health Representation: 5
Religious Representation: 0
Own Voice: Yes
CW: This book deals with suicide
**Contains Spoilers**
The main character Aaron Soto is a Latinx teenager living in the Bronx. He deals with mental health, his sexuality, and money problems throughout the course of the book. Many of his friends in his neighborhood are also people of color struggling financially. However, some of them fall a little bit into stereotypes as some sell drugs, and many often get into fights, but that is the reality of their situation, and Aaron examines this in the narrative.
There are not many female characters, but the main ones, Aaron’s girlfriend Genevieve and his mom are developed beyond their relationship to him. Aaron’s mom is especially developed as she deals with the aftermath of Aaron’s dad’s death and supporting her two sons.
There is a low score for body size representation because although Aaron deals a little bit with insecurity regarding his body, there is a character named Fat Dave who is very stereotypical.
The end of the book deals with Aaron suffering permanent brain damage which affects his memory. While the damage came from a fictional memory altering procedure, it is akin to some real life disabilities and affects his life in a similar way. However, there is a character called “Me Crazy” who lines up with certain ablest stereotypes as he is violent, “crazy,” and kind of dehumanized. That being said, most of the pitfalls like this have a purpose to contribute to the terrible environment Aaron is struggling to find happiness in.
Sources:
Diversify the Media Narrative 