Parents' Guide to Felix Ever After

For many teens, this thoughtful, tender book could be a wonderful introduction to or continuation of exploring identity. In his foreword to Felix Ever After, author Kacen Callender writes about the importance of positive queer representation in media in helping him realize that he could be who he truly was. This novel could do the same for teens who feel similarly. The many moments of trans and queer discovery, joy, desire, conflict, confusion, and struggle are powerful, and the characters are drawn roundly, complexly, and sensitively. The art school community and culture feel robust and lived in, and the social milieu of the city feels genuine.

The novel emphasizes that exploring identity and figuring out who you are isn't always easy and finished. Felix questions his identity throughout, exploring concepts like agender, bigender, transmasculinity/transfemininity, genderqueer, and demiboy. Some of the book's plot elements might feel a little simplified sometimes, like the "rich boy" versus "city boy" dynamic, but the characters' fully rendered emotions make up for the scaffolding, even if it isn't entirely clear why one romantic partner doesn't work out over another. In the end, most readers will be thrilled to see Felix figure out who he really loves and more about who he really is.