The 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
The 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers by Adam Sass is an epic queer love story. When a flirty encounter results in a lost connection, Micah and his friends embark on a quest to find the boy who Micah is sure is The One. But is he the boy he lost on the subway, or is he the kind, new friend who helps Micah chase down clues all over Chicago? Sexual attraction, kissing, and making out occur, and same-gender consensual sex between older teens is described briefly and generally. Occasional cursing includes "hell," "s--t," "ass," "a--hole," "damn," and its variants, and "mfin'."
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What's the Story?
Seventeen-year-old Micah Summers longs for fairy tale romance, but is too shy to actually ask guys out. Instead, he sketches his crushes as mythical characters and posts them to his anonymous Instaloves account, which has a significant following on Instagram. After an embarrassing rejection, Micah finally gets his fantasy meet-cute, but a subway separates them before he can learn his true love's name. But the boy left behind a jacket, and inside it are clues to his identity, so Micah and his friends chase the clues across Chicago to find "Boy 100." Reality is more complicated than fantasy when Micah finally finds his lost connection, and he has to grapple with the possibility that he fell in love with the wrong boy. Told in true fairy tale style, with epic romantic gestures and happy endings, it's also a thoroughly Chicago story with a strong sense of place.
Is It Any Good?
This charming queer love story is full of fun and will capture the hearts of romcom fans. The 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers is a love story, but also a coming-of-age story, of Micah and other characters figuring out who they want to be creatively, and how they want to contribute their talents to the world. Supportive and loyal parents, for whom their kids' queerness is not a problem, normalizes queer identity. Sure, the fact that everything works out, dreams come true, and love is ultimately realized may feel unrealistic or trite to some readers. But the book delivers on its fairy tale premise while accurately portraying the complicated and messy reality of romantic relationships. This is an exciting romp for teen romance lovers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about fairy tale romance vs. the reality of romantic relationships as portrayed in The 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers. How are they different? Why aren't real-life relationships like those we read about in traditional fairy tales? Do you think fairy tale love is possible?
A major theme of the book is coming of age as a queer teen. What are some of the questions, fears, and hopes unique to Micah and other gay kids in the story? How do the characters in this book learn about romance and healthy relationships?
Creativity -- art, fashion design, and performance -- are powerful ways characters learn to express themselves in this book. Why do you think the author included creative pursuits as central character traits? How does each character's talent contribute to their personal growth over the course of the book?
Book Details
- Author: Adam Sass
- Illustrator: Anne Pomel
- Genre: Romance
- Topics: Princesses, Fairies, Mermaids, and More, Fairy Tales, Friendship, Great Boy Role Models, High School
- Character Strengths: Compassion
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
- Publication date: September 20, 2022
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 14 - 18
- Number of pages: 352
- Available on: Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Kindle
- Last updated: December 21, 2022
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Hold Me Closer: The Tiny Cooper Story
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For kids who love LGBTQ+ characters
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