Everything Together

May 1, 2021
A teenager spends an unforgettable season in Minneapolis in this middle-grade sequel. Thirteen-year-old Jeremiah is looking forward to another summer with his father--though this year will be different in many ways. First, beloved neighbor Mr. Keeler has died, and Jeremiah vows to care for the older man's garden and make it even better. Second, Jeremiah's father, who is bisexual, will be marrying his boyfriend, Michael, who is obsessing over Pinterest-esque homemade decorations in "teal and chocolate" (as opposed to green and brown). Finally, and most unexpectedly, the teen's best friend, Sage--who has queer parents--has seemingly replaced Jeremiah with Asha, the new girl in town. Soon, Jeremiah grows tired of tagging along with the two girls and looks elsewhere for fulfillment: helping his dad and Michael prepare for the wedding, volunteering in English classes for refugees with one of Sage's moms, and forming a new friendship with Asha's twin brother, Asad, along with his annual fishing ritual with his father and riding his brand new bicycle. As the summer progresses, Jeremiah finds himself learning new things almost daily--but will his friendship with Sage ever be like it once was? Queer author Klas, who lives in the Twin Cities, deftly highlights the area's diversity, including its LGBTQ+, Hmong, Somali, and refugee populations, through the eyes of Jeremiah, a thoughtful and open-minded teen. The protagonist enjoys gardening as much as bike riding and wears his ALLY baseball cap at Pride. Jeremiah's reactions and feelings are realistic for his age--he doesn't always say or do the right thing--but he is quick to learn and adapt to his surroundings and situations. Bisexuality is still underrepresented in pop culture, and a scene between Jeremiah and his dad addressing this topic is particularly poignant. In many ways, this tale, with distinct black-and-white illustrations by Arroyo, is a typical coming-of-age story. Yet readers will find themselves learning alongside Jeremiah, who tries spiced lamb at a food market and dissects the White savior complex in a kid-friendly way. A lovely and intelligent family tale that emphasizes acceptance and care.

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