-
Your next favorite book
is waiting.
Summary | Discuss | Reviews | More Information | Read-Alikes
Award-winning author and artist Mike Curato draws on his own experiences in Flamer, his debut graphic novel, telling a difficult story with humor, compassion, and love.
I know I'm not gay. Gay boys like other boys. I hate boys. They're mean, and scary, and they're always destroying something or saying something dumb or both.
I hate that word. Gay. It makes me feel...unsafe.
It's the summer between middle school and high school, and Aiden Navarro is away at camp. Everyone's going through changes―but for Aiden, the stakes feel higher. As he navigates friendships, deals with bullies, and spends time with Elias (a boy he can't stop thinking about), he finds himself on a path of self-discovery and acceptance.
What do you think of graphic novels?
I have only read one graphic novel. It was for my Library banned bookclub. Flamer by Mike Curato, it was ok. I was surprised that I read it so quickly! But as a rule I will not often read graphic novels.
-Paula_Walters
"The use of [color]...is a master class in simplicity. But the true star of this book is the writing, which describes a boy who could live in any decade on his journey of self-discovery. This is a story that will be read and reread, and for some, it will be the defining book of their adolescence. Buy it. Read it. Share it." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Through straightforward, thick-lined art, Curato interweaves surrealistic, emotionally charged moments...Emotional and raw, Curato's story plummets Aiden deep into despair, including suicidal ideation, juxtaposing powerful moments of burning, fiery hope." - Publishers Weekly
"This book will save lives." - Jarrett J. Krosoczka, author of National Book Award Finalist for Hey, Kiddo
This information about Flamer was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Mike Curato has the fortune of possessing a designer's brain, an illustrator's heart, and an artist's vision. You can find him on any given day walking around the city eating a cupcake (or thinking about it). He is also the author and illustrator of Little Elliot, Big City.
If you liked Flamer, try these:
by Brandon Taylor
Published 2026
From the Booker Prize finalist and bestselling author: a perceptive novel about a gay Black painter navigating the worlds of art, desire, and creativity.
by Lori Ostlund
Published 2025
Nine exquisite stories that explore class, desire, identity, and the specter of violence that looms daily over women and the LGBTQ+ community.
by Sarah Henstra
Published 2020
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe meets I'll Give You the Sun in an exhilarating and emotional novel about the growing relationship between two teens boys, told through the letters they write to one another.
Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you'd rather have been talking
Click Here to find out who said this, as well as discovering other famous literary quotes!
Can you name the title?
Test your book knowledge with our daily trivia challenge!
Your guide toexceptional books
BookBrowse seeks out and recommends the best in contemporary fiction and nonfiction—books that not only engage and entertain but also deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
