Common Sense Media Review
By Lucinda Dyer
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Warm and funny queer romcom tackles serious issues.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
As LESBIANA'S GUIDE TO CATHOLIC SCHOOL begins, Yami Flores and her brother, Cesar, are starting at a new high school in an affluent part of Phoenix, Arizona. It's a relief to Yami, as her best friend outed her as gay at the end of her sophomore year and she's been worried about the fights Cesar's been getting into at school. While Cesar has an academic scholarship to Slayton Catholic High School, Yami will be working to help her mother afford the tuition. With the pain of her outing still fresh, Yami is determined that absolutely no one at Slayton will ever know she's gay. But then she meets Bo Taylor, who's wearing khaki pants instead of a skirt and rainbow Vans. Bo may be the school's only openly queer student, but Yami isn't willing to blow her straight girl cover. At least not yet. Things begin to get really complicated when Yami sees Cesar kissing his friend Jamal. Seems like Cesar has a secret of his own. Afraid of what their very Catholic mother will think, they decide Jamal and Yami will pretend to be dating. As the cost of keeping secrets builds, Yami and Cesar have to weigh the consequences of coming out to their parents and friends.
Is It Any Good?
This sweet and often hilarious queer romcom also makes serious issues of homophobia, racism, intolerance, and teen mental health central to the story. While Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School has a queer storyline, its characters and their struggles (and triumphs) will be equally relatable to any teen who's ever felt like an outsider or tried to be something they weren't just to fit in.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how much courage it took for the characters in Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School to come out to their family and friends. How can it be challenging to be your authentic self with people who love you?
How are students at your school treated by other students and the administration after coming out?
Have you ever been the new kid at school or on a sports team and felt you didn't fit in? How did you deal with it?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Coming of Age
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , School ( High School )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Balzer + Bray
- Publication date : May 17, 2022
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 13 - 17
- Number of pages : 385
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : ALA Best and Notable Books
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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