Come Out, Come Out

Gr 9 Up–This LGBTQIA+ novel will appeal to mystery and horror fans alike. Jaq and Fern know each other but don’t run in the same circles. Jaq is seemingly living her best life with her church friends and perfect boyfriend. Fern is aiming to snag the lead role of Sandy in their senior musical, Grease. But when they attend a party and get lost together in the woods, they realize their lives were once more heavily intertwined. This book is an important discussion about, and a look into, the lives of LGBTQIA+ kids living in conservative religious communities. The horror aspect, an allegory for their trauma at the hands of their own family and friends, is sadly relatable and something that is a true issue in society today. While this novel explores important topics, the pacing, the large cast of characters, and the number of points of view can pull readers out of the story.