I Can't Even Think Straight

LoveReading4Kids Says

Dean Atta has once again delivered a powerful, emotional YA novel in verse that makes the reader feel they are peeking into someone’s diary. Kai is ready to come out as gay at his high school, and he wants his friend Matt to be on board. However, Matt is very worried about the negative backlash that is bound to descend upon them both if Kai does this.

Matt’s parents are religious and deeply homophobic, so his plan is to come out as gay only after he’s left their clutches and tucked himself away at university. Kai’s family is from Greece and Jamaica, and his single mother, who works two jobs and takes a master’s degree, is so busy she can’t keep track of Kai’s comings and goings, although she is very supportive of him being gay. Kai’s large, extended family also support him, but once he’s back at school, he has to remain in the closet to protect Matt.

But when Kai joins the “cool group” at school, he meets another handsome guy and the two end up going on a few dates. This prompts Kai to take a good, long look at his relationship with Matt. Kai’s emotions eventually fly all over the radar as he does what many fifteen year olds do, figure out who they are as a human being.

This is a very sweet, sometimes raw YA verse novel that will be extremely relatable to many youth. Kai’s experiences are complex and sincere but will also hit a nerve with anyone struggling to work out their inner fears and demons. Verse novels are very effective in getting teens back into reading, especially those who feel intimidated simply by the size of a book. That said, the novel still has to pack a punch, and Atta delivers a punch, it’s great work.

Lucas Maxwell

Find This Book In