Spin Me Right Round

August 15, 2021
A gay teen contends with time travel--and homophobia through the decades. All Cuban American Luis wants is to be prom king with his boyfriend, but tiny upstate New York boarding school Antic Springs Academy, with its strict, Christian code of conduct, won't even let them hold hands in public. After a disastrous prom committee meeting at which his attempt to make the event welcoming of queer couples is rejected by the principal, Luis gets quite literally knocked into the past--specifically, ASA in the year 1985. There he meets Chaz, a Black student who attended the school at the same time as Luis' parents and who died under mysterious circumstances after being bullied for his sexuality. Luis now faces a choice between changing the past to help Chaz and preserving his own future existence. Fortunately, he has Ms. Silverthorn, a Black English teacher and beloved mentor, who offers him support in both timelines. The narrative explores the impacts of homophobia and being closeted, remaining optimistic without shying away from the more brutal aspects. Luis is a multifaceted character with an engaging voice whose flaws are confronted and examined throughout. The solid pacing and pleasant, fluid prose make this a page-turner. Luis' boyfriend is cued as Chinese American, and his best friend is nonbinary; there is some diversity in ethnicity and sexuality in background characters, although the school is predominantly White. A great read offering entertainment, encouragement, and plenty to reflect upon. (author's note) (Fiction. 14-18)

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October 1, 2021
Grades 8-11 Prepare to laugh out loud as Cuban American high-school senior Luis takes a trip into the past that rivals Back to the Future. Right after he's denied permission to bring his boyfriend to prom at his conservative private boarding school, Luis is accidentally knocked out and wakes up in 1985. Fortunately, his favorite teacher (and the only faculty member of color), Ms. Silverthorn, is already on the staff and believes his story. She gets him enrolled, and he finds himself attending classes and planning prom alongside his own parents. Luis also meets Chaz Wilson, his mother's gay friend who died on their prom night either by suicide or homophobic bullying. Has Luis traveled through time to save him? Luis' quick, clever observations and pop-culture riffs dominate the narrative but never belittle the revelations on how far queer acceptance has come. The boarding-school culture of 1985 is spot-on, and readers will fall for Luis and Chaz, and--bonus!--Luis' clumsy, misunderstood roommate, Ernie. The ripple effects of their brave choices change everyone's future for the better.

COPYRIGHT(2021) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

January 1, 2022

Gr 9 Up-A modern-day gay teen time travels back to 1985 and wonders if he can help change the past without changing his future. Cuban American Luis Gonzalez, student body president, staff favorite, theater kid, principal's secretary, and general busybody, has an irrepressibly large personality. A day student at a small, conservative boarding school, opinionated and confident Luis is out and proud. Luis's big hope is to make his school allow people of any gender identity to go to functions as dates, mainly so he can attend prom with his boyfriend Cheng. But before that can happen, he gets knocked out and lands in 1985, suddenly attending school with his future parents. He's less concerned with solving the problem of how he got there than with what he can do to solve the problems his new 1985-era friends encounter, especially when it comes to homophobia and the fate of his parents' classmate Chaz. Interfering might change Chaz's future for the better, but what will it mean for Luis's own fate? The writing is snappy and conversational, but Luis's voice sometimes comes off as "teenagery" in a way that feels forced. This engaging read is full of honesty, vulnerability, and truly funny moments, as well as equal parts bravery and potentially dangerous foolishness. Self-centered and prone to acting first and thinking later, Luis gains insight into the present through this trip to the past. VERDICT An immersive story offering a unique look at second chances, acceptance, and progress.-Amanda MacGregor

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