And They Lived . . .

Starred review from January 24, 2022
As viral film sensation and self-described “uncoordinated queer AF Disnerd Chase Arthur,” who is white, starts college, there’s a lot on his mind: avoiding his ex-best-friend on campus, becoming an animator for Disney, maybe falling in love, navigating body dysmorphia and disordered eating, and figuring out his gender identity and “the whole pronoun question.” He quickly befriends his roommate, “pure gay chaos” Italian American Benny and suitemate Xavier, Black and also gay, then meets adorably masc, white student Jack Reid, who’s as passionate about writing as Chase is about animation. Though Chase can’t tell whether Jack’s queer or into him, he can’t help making the lead characters in his tropey fairy tale animation project resemble the two of them. Salvatore (Can’t Take That Away) renders Chase’s experiences sympathetically, uses the animation project to create a romantic story-within-a-story, and fills the book with funny, pop-inflected dialogue. Taking on coming out, the challenges of art-making, the importance of mentors who get where one is coming from, and the joys and terrors of romance, Salvatore sweeps readers off their feet. Ages 14–up. Agent: Jessica Regel, Foundry Literary.

February 1, 2022

Gr 10 Up- After his gay stop-motion videos of Disney characters went viral during his senior year of high school, Chase, a queer nonbinary artist, is living his happily ever after as he starts freshman year in a prestigious animation program. But the reality of figuring out his gender identity, dealing with family trauma, fighting a bitter rivalry with a former best friend, and beginning a secret romance that has him questioning his self-worth is hardly the stuff of fairy tales. This novel is complicated, full of messy, flawed humans discovering themselves, their art, and how they want to live as brand new adults. Salvatore handles Chase's body dysmorphia and eating disorder recovery with sensitive realism, acknowledging how it affects every aspect of his life, without letting the disorder become his defining characteristic. Chase and most of the main characters are white, with some diversity in secondary characters. VERDICT A sex-positive, LGBTQIA+ romp through an artist's freshman year of college, with quick, witty dialogue and sure pacing that makes it a perfect crossover title for older teens and college students in the vein of Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl and Margot Wood's Fresh.-Molly Saunders

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January 1, 2022
Once upon a time, on the college campus of his dreams, a freshman embarked upon a quest for love and self-discovery while striving to attain his life goal of becoming a successful animator. Like lightning, first love strikes when Chase, a fat, queer animation major, meets aspiring writer Jack at a party before the first day of classes. Charming, Captain America-handsome Jack might not even be gay as far as Chase knows, but when they're together, Chase feels seen. Their electric connection inspires Chase to write his own fairy tale for his advanced animation seminar's short film showcase. The winner will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Los Angeles to be mentored by their famous director professor. After having lost out on a desperately needed scholarship to Leila, his wealthy, dream-stealing, ex-best friend, earning the showcase prize would help make up for all the loans his single mom took out to send him to college. Amid the pressures of the competition and tension with Jack, Chase grapples with body dysmorphia, how to label his gender identity, and the fallout of his toxic relationship with Leila. His growth, supported by queer mentors and friends, provides affirming representation of questioning and nonlinear healing. Frank, vivid sex scenes model consent, informed safety, and honest conversations about intimacy. Chase and Jack are White; the supporting cast is racially diverse. A satisfying resolution delivers a nuanced reimagining of happily-ever-after. A dramatic and refreshing storm of emotion. (author's note) (Romance. 15-adult)

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Starred review from February 15, 2022
Grades 9-12 *Starred Review* Openly gay Chase Arthur, a freshman at the Cayuga School of the Arts and wannabe Disney animator, is elated when he's admitted to a seminar taught by the legendary animator Linda McPherson. Chase doesn't only want to become an animator, however: "All I want to do is fall in love." But Chase suffers from body dysmorphia and can't imagine anyone loving a lump like him. Ah, but then he meets gorgeous Jack, who haltingly comes out to Chase, and the two begin a relationship. As the story progresses, Chase also wrestles with his gender identity, realizing he may be nonbinary. Despite having an overly full figurative plate, he is also handed a major class assignment--to create a short film. A lover of fairy tales, Chase works to create an original one about a knight and prince who fall in love, obviously finding inspiration in his relationship with Jack. So when the two boys have a bitter falling out, the knight and prince also become separated. Will they find a happy ending? Will Chase and Jack? Salvatore has done a superb job of dealing with a dramatic complexity of issues while creating equally complex, highly empathetic characters. Readers will urgently root for a happily ever after for all, but you won't find any spoilers here.

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Starred review from August 1, 2022

Gr 10 Up-From Salvatore's warm dedication onward, Kirt Graves ignites the pages with kaleidoscopic talent and charm, fulfilling his self-described "passion...for telling queer stories, the types of stories he wishes he had while growing up." Animation major Chase arrives at art college with dreams of falling in love. His initial baggage is heavy: body dysmorphia, an abusive father, a traitorous ex-best friend. But his new roommate Benny couldn't be more supportive (or Graves more splendid), his true BFF is just a campus away, and his animation seminar promises achievable rewards. And then there's "we're not sure he's even gay-adjacent"-Jack. VERDICT Salvatore knows how to tell an empowering story. Graves embellishes with indispensable sparkle.

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.