First published 2023
Chasten Glezman Buttigieg grows up feeling like an outsider in his rural Midwestern town. While his father and brothers bond over hunting and camping, Chasten searches for his place in a conservative community where fitting in matters more than authenticity. When he realizes he's gay, fear keeps him silent for years. The weight of hiding his true self becomes unbearable until he finds the courage to come out with support from people who love him. Buttigieg discovers that embracing his identity leads to the most fulfilling path forward. This young adult adaptation of his bestselling memoir includes new stories written specifically for teen readers, plus resources for families and educators. The book reached instant bestseller status and earned praise for balancing everyday moments with extraordinary personal growth through humor and hope.
Genres: family-life, coming-of-age, memoir, non-fiction, biography-memoir
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Midwest, Rural
Period: 21st-century
224 pages · Hardcover · Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Content warnings: homophobia