The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes (Walter Award winner)

 

 
 

Summary

Sixteen-year-old Yamilet's life is turned upside down after she comes out to her best friend (also her crush) and becomes alienated. In an attempt to rebuild her life she assumes the identity of a straight girl at a Catholic high school. The text chronicles her challenges to keep her same-sex attraction a secret, especially as she develops a crush on Bo, a girl who is out and boldly wears rainbow attire and openly confronts homophobic teachers. Other issues pointed out in the text are racism, religious differences, mental health struggles, peer pressures, and familial ties.

What does the text have to do with the reader personally?

If the reader is a member of the LGBTQ+ community, they can easily identify with Yamilet. Throughout the text, Yamilet experiences many forms of alienation from her former best friend and her father after she comes out to both of them. She also fears that she will be kicked out and forced to support and provide for herself if she comes out to her mother. Many young readers who are in the LGBTQ often have to deal with the same types of alienation. Even those who are not in this community, can learn to sympathize with the struggles of those within the community as a result of reading this text.

How may the text agree with or clash with the readers view of the world? 

If a reader hails from a very religious background and holds true to what they have learned from this upbringing, some of the perspectives presented in the text may clash with this reader's view of the world. The text does appear to challenge some upheld beliefs that are present about homosexuality, particularly within the Catholic religion.

Can the reader enjoy the text as entertainment or as a work of art?

Although many serious topics are presented throughout the text, the reader may enjoy the text as entertainment because there are humorous and relatable parts throughout the book. The language presented throughout the book could be considered explicit to some readers, but for some other readers, they may find the way that Yamilet expresses her thoughts as relatable to how they express themselves.

Citation
 
Reyes, S. The lesbiana's guide to Catholic school. HarperCollins.

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