Flamer

Summary: Aiden is away at boy scout camp the summer before he starts high school. Despite his worries about the fall, he always enjoys camp and is happy to spend time with his friends, even if there are a few bullies. Things feel a little different this time around though. Aiden knows that growing up is hard, but why can’t he stop thinking about his fellow boy scout, Elias?! A transformational summer is underway as Aiden learns to accept who he truly is, and find the light inside himself. 

Critical Evaluation: Flamer is Mike Curato’s first graphic novel, and it certainly shines in its messages of self-acceptance and love in the face of diversity. Curato’s use of art to explore hard themes is sure to foster empathy, understanding, and a feeling of inclusion for all that read it. 

One of the most driving elements of Flamer is how the audience witnesses the story first hand through the eyes of the main character, Aiden. The reader learns about his experiences through his accounts of his present and past experiences. His dreams are also recounted through the book, allowing readers to take a peek into his subconscious. Curato presents the stunning reality of what it is like to be a teenager, and to go through puberty. He writes Aiden with such honesty, that anyone who has gone through their teenage years will identify with him. Additionally, teens struggling to discover their identities will feel close to Aiden, and less alone through reading about his experiences. 

As children approach young adulthood, they are already experiencing things like bullying, racism, and the questioning of sexual identity. This is why it’s so important that authors like Curato speak about these concepts frankly and with gentle honesty. In a world where being straight and cisgendered is still considered the “default,” it is essential that young adults still learning about themselves can see characters they identify with in literature and art. 

Flamer is a story that could have been told in traditional book format, but Curato’s illustrations tell the story in a different way. The reader connects with Aiden not just through words, but by literally seeing his facial expressions and inner thoughts. His use of color was powerful and effective throughout the novel. Not only did his use of oranges and reds help signify important moments, or times of emotional clarity, but the simplicity of the drawings and the black and white design helps readers to quickly move through the novel and not get distracted

Mike Curato says in his afterword that “to hope. To dream. To want love. These are dangerous acts. Fear and hope are bound up together inside of us, alongside our flaws and our divinity. In this darkness, we can find an inner light to guide us” (Curato, 2020). This perfectly sums up how Flamer can be life changing for a teenager, and therefore can hold a place in any collection. 

Reader’s Annotation: Aiden is nervous about starting high school next year, but happy he has boy scout summer camp to look forward to first. When he can’t stop thinking about his friend Elias, things start to get a little more confusing.