Flamer

Flamer

book

2020

WISE
88%

WISE Score

4.6

Amazon

A raw, orange-tinted survival guide for any kid who’s ever felt like a 'flamer' in a world trying to put them out.

Amazon4.6
Common Sense Media

Where to Read

Amazon
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble
Libby
Libby

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Screenwise Verdict

Flamer is a heavy hitter. It’s not 'fun' in the way a superhero comic is, but it’s essential reading for anyone trying to understand the social minefield of being a 'different' kid.

Mike Curato doesn't pull his punches regarding how cruel teenagers can be, but he also captures the small, quiet moments of friendship that make life bearable. It’s set in 1995, but the feelings are timeless.

If your kid is struggling with identity or bullying, this is a must-buy. If they aren't, it's still a top-tier empathy builder. Just be ready for some big conversations afterward.

Age Fit

This is a bullseye for 14 to 18-year-olds. Mature 12 or 13-year-olds can handle it, but it’s definitely a Young Adult book, not a 'kids' graphic novel. Adults will find it just as moving.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
75

It's a heavy lift emotionally, but the trajectory is toward self-acceptance and survival. It's not 'clean'—it deals with the ugliness of bullying and self-hatred—but it's deeply healthy for a teenager to see that struggle validated.

Imaginative
82

The use of a limited color palette—mostly black and white with bursts of fiery orange—is a brilliant way to visualize internal pressure and passion. It turns a standard camp story into something much more visceral.

Safe
65

For the intended 14+ audience, it's fine. But for younger kids, there are 'unsafe' elements: homophobic slurs (used by bullies), intense depictions of self-harm ideation, and some mature language. It's a book that needs a bit of a heads-up.

Enriching
95

This is high-level empathy training. It tackles the intersection of being biracial, Catholic, and gay in a way that feels 100% real. It's the kind of book that can literally save a kid's life by making them feel seen.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • The artwork is stunning and uses color in a way that actually tells the story of the main character's anxiety and passion.
  • It captures the specific, awkward 'in-between' phase of the summer before high school perfectly.
  • It doesn't give easy, 'it gets better' platitudes; it shows the hard work of actually liking yourself.
  • Great representation for biracial (Filipino-American) kids navigating predominantly white spaces like scout camps.
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What to Watch For

  • The bullying is realistic and mean. Slurs like 'faggot' are used by characters to show how hostile the environment is.
  • There is a very dark sequence involving a character contemplating suicide. It's handled with care, but it's intense.
  • Some brief, non-explicit exploration of body image and emerging sexuality that might be awkward for younger readers.

Conversation Starters

  • "Aiden feels like he has to 'act' a certain way to be safe at camp. Have you ever felt like you had to put on a mask to fit in?"
  • "What did you think about the way the author used the color orange? What color would your 'internal fire' be?"
  • "The adults in the book don't always see what's happening. If you saw a friend being treated like Aiden, what’s the best way to step in without making it worse?"
  • "How does Aiden's faith complicate how he feels about himself?"

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