More Happy Than Not

Aaron is a typical teenager who likes spending time with his girlfriend and friends, and trying drinking and sex, until he meets Thomas. As their friendship grows, Aaron falls in love with Thomas, but his friends find out and beat him so badly that he suffers brain trauma that unlocks memories that he had erased, including being gay and finding his father after he killed himself. This award-winning coming-of-age novel for grades 10-12 deals with identity, SOGI, LGBTQ+, social justice, sexual orientation, suicide, and happiness, and could be part of a themed literature circle. Independent study would require teacher support due to the discrimination and violence. Social considerations noted.