Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender

Star rating: 4.5/5

"For trans and nonbinary youth: You're beautiful. You're important. You're valid. You're perfect."

Summary:

Felix Love has never been in love. He wants to experience love, but he doubts if anyone will ever find him deserving of love because of his marginalized identities of being both trans and black. He has been abandoned by his mother and has been the target of hate and transphobia by peers at school. His father deeply loves him and appears to be trying his best, but frequently uses the wrong pronouns and won't use Felix's real name. To make matters more confusing, Felix is starting to question his gender identity again - he knows for sure he's not a girl, but there are times when he doesn't feel like a boy either. 

With the unconditional love and support of some great friends, Felix continues to explore his gender identity, finds love where he least expected it, and finally comes to accept and believe that he is absolutely deserving of love. 

Review:

This might easily be one of the most important books published this year. I hope this book can serve as a beacon of hope for any trans and nonbinary person experiencing the confusion and pressure of figuring out their identity, dealing with transphobic hate, and wondering if they will ever find love. Felix is such a complex and nuanced character, yet what he wants is simple - to love and be loved. That is the desire of so many teens, but for trans and nonbinary youth it can seem so impossible given the hate that is far too often directed at them. This book emphasizes that transphobia exists even within the queer community, that even spaces that are supposed to be safe for LGBTQIA+ folx can be discriminatory. Felix is such a brave character, consistently standing up to the hate that is directed at him, and eventually finding immense joy and pride from his trans identity. "Being trans brings me love. It brings me happiness. It gives me power." Thank you, Kacen Callender, for this beautiful piece of art.