Hiding one's true self from others only leads to problems.Gay Michigan teen Mark Davis' world is rocked when he has to wear a dress as part of a basketball team talent show entry and discovers how much he loves it. This discovery ultimately leads to the end of his two-year relationship with his boyfriend and fellow classmate, John, because of John's internalized homophobia. The angst of first love is quickly forgotten, however, when 17-year-old Mark meets classmate Ezra Ambrose in a Halloween store where Mark is shyly hiding from classmates as he prepares to buy another dress. Mark's journey into the world of drag coincides with his college student brother Eric's self-destructive descent into alcohol abuse-a descent with tragic ramifications. It's a complicated story but one that buoys up well thanks to its mix of humor and realism. Readers who love wit that practically crackles with energy will be drawn to Mark's first-person narration and may be surprised by the depths of emotion in his story. The book will be appreciated by adult caregivers for its frank observations about substance abuse and the many facets of and societal messages about masculinity. There's a lot that happens, but that's life, right? Characters default to White.Enjoyable, tragic, and very real. (Fiction. 13-18)

Gr 8 Up —A thoughtful exploration of self-expression and grief that deepens as the story progresses. High schooler Mark Davis is excited to perform in a dress for the school talent show, but is devastated when his boyfriend John reacts badly to the performance. After the show causes their breakup, Mark worries that no one except his brother will celebrate the part of him that loves to wear dresses. But when Mark runs into fellow classmate Ezra at a Halloween store and sparks fly, the two begin to develop a relationship built on the acceptance Mark is seeking. After a tragic event impacts Mark's family and he loses his main source of support, Mark has to figure out how to reconnect with his parents while still honoring his full self. Clay's nuanced and honest examination of grief makes this book a powerful choice for teens who have experienced loss. While the novel explores heavy topics like addiction and death, the writing style is entertaining and humorous, making the story engaging and relatable. VERDICT An inspiring story about a teen developing the confidence to push back against the rigid expectations surrounding gender expression.—Emily Yates