Flamer

This is a story about the moment before you learn how to survive yourself.

Flamer is a graphic novel about Aiden, a queer Filipino-American boy attending a summer scout camp where cruelty, isolation, and internalized shame begin to close in. As bullying escalates and his sense of self fractures, Aiden struggles to reconcile who he is with who he’s been told he’s allowed to be.

Told through striking black-and-white illustrations punctuated by moments of color, Flamer captures the intensity of adolescence—the way fear can feel inescapable, and the way one voice of kindness can make all the difference.

This is not an easy story. It is a life-saving one.

Why it’s been banned

Flamer has been frequently challenged and removed for:

• LGBTQ+ themes and queer identity
• Discussions of mental health and suicidal ideation
• Bullying, abuse, and emotional trauma

It is often banned for naming realities that many young people are already living and for doing so honestly.

Why we love it

• Because it meets teens where they are.
• Because it doesn’t shy away from darkness—but doesn’t leave readers there.
• Because it shows that survival can start with being seen.

This book doesn’t sensationalize pain. It offers understanding.

Perfect for

YA readers • graphic novel fans • LGBTQ+ teens and allies • educators and counselors • banned books supporters • readers seeking stories about identity, resilience, and hope