It Looks Like This by Rafi Mittlefehldt (review)

Mike’s quiet, guarded narration explores a period of self-discovery and independence as he navigates coming out and experiencing his first relationship. He already knows that his religious family and “man’s man” father isn’t going to be pleased, so Mike hides everything as long as he can, until a filmed incident and subsequent tragedy push him permanently out of the closet. There are few rosy moments in this book, as Mike’s physical relationship is closeted and short lived, and the events that unfold afterwards (Mike is sent off to camp to be turned straight; the other boy dies) are shocking. There is a grace in the slow reconciliation of Mike with his family; hard-won connections feel authentic as Mike’s dad slowly thaws long after his mother has adjusted. Mike’s wry, wise-beyond-her-years sister, Toby, is a contemporary Phoebe Caulfield, and she bears a lot of social risk to protect her big brother. There are plenty of sunny coming-out stories; this stark reminder that being gay can also still mean getting prayed over at straight camp or being shunned is also, unfortunately, part of the lived experience. It’s handled with beauty and care here, and the concluding muted hopefulness is perfectly aligned with the novel’s arc.