middlegrade realistic fiction; surviving middle school with gay main character and ADHD and "overweight" friends = 7th grader being bullied by his brother and dad while also making friends and dealing with his secret crush on another boy. Yes! I totally want to give this boy a hug, or at least an encouraging smile (because hugging is super awkward in middleschool). I mostly read this in one sitting (with one break for sleeping). Thank you for this terrific debut novel; more please! ( )

A young adult novel about a gay teenager and his struggling relationships with his family and peers. His gayness is not dwelt on but more his difficulty in standing up for himself. The central thrust of the book is a contest between his Alan and his older brother to do things outside their comfort zone. For Alan it was things like learning to swim and getting his first kiss. This is a definitely a juvenile book and I really don't see much or a crossover to the many adults that that read young adult fiction. ( )