#BookPride21: Week 1, 'Cemetery Boys' by Aiden Thomas

There’s nothing I love more than ghosts—I’ve been obsessed with what stories of spirits and haunting can do for years now, especially when they revolve around queer characters. And especially when a trans character is involved. From the onset, ‘Cemetery Boys’ ticked all my boxes. I’d been waiting for it for months before its publication. When I finally read it, the book did not disappoint; it only dug itself deeper into my heart.

I could speak of how engaging and fun Aiden Thomas’s writing is; or of how the plot thickened and twisted and kept me on my toes in a way that would have had me reading all night if I was not a tired university student; or of how much heart there is to every character. But I want to speak of the reason I offered ‘Cemetery Boys’ as a choice for our anti-prize: there’s something so deeply satisfying in the way Yadriel’s transness is presented, something that brings forth a feeling of gender euphoria and all the good memories I have surrounding my non-binary identity. I felt so grateful knowing that trans teens have this book at their disposal, and that trans grown-ups like me can enjoy it, too.

'Cemetery Boys’ is essential in many ways—joyful, sweet, funny, all while not shying away from harsher realities and dangers. It’s hopeful in a very real, concrete way, and it’s a product of love for being queer. It made me happy that I’m trans and that I’m queer, and I think it’s incredibly important that books can do that.

- Team member Michael, on why 'Cemetery Boys' was their favourite queer work of the last year

On Thursday 8th of July, Book 28 will be hosting a free, virtual creative session on 'Gender X Magic' to celebrate the themes of Cemetery Boys - details and booking here.