Secret Life of Albert Entwistle

While this book starts off really sad (why was I reading it in public?) it comes around to being a narrative about how being true to yourself will lead to finding yourself and community. Like with Heartstopper on Netflix, your worst fears are never manifested. We really did need a queer elder Heartstopper that celebrates surviving through times when being gay would lead to job loss, prison, or worse. Whether they had to live in the closet or were willing and able to take on the challenges of being out at the time, they survived when many people didn’t. If you are looking for a challenging queer narrative or one focusing on the issues queer people face today, you might be disappointed. If you want a fuzzy and easy book (after crying for the first 50 pages) you might fall in love with Albert and Nichole. I forgot to mention ton her, but as a young black single mother, she too goes on a similar journey opening herself up to the people around her and standing up for her needs. She could have easily slipped into a shallow stereotype, but her characterization felt well done to my eyes.