How to Be Remy Cameron

Remy Cameron is a Black, gay high school junior in Georgia who receives an essay assignment asking him to define who he is. As an adoptee in a white family, with a newly-adopted sister and a boyfriend he adores, Remy struggles to put his identity into words. The assignment forces Remy to confront questions about his birth parents and his place in both the Black and LGBTQ+ communities. His journey leads him to explore his relationships with family, friends, and classmates while questioning how others perceive him versus how he sees himself. Through Remy's experiences and interactions, the novel examines the complexities of identity, family bonds, and self-discovery during the teenage years. The story highlights the challenges and joys of finding one's voice while navigating multiple intersecting identities.

Readers found this YA novel's representation of an openly gay Black teen navigating identity and relationships authentic and relatable. Many highlighted Remy's close family bonds and supportive friendships as highlights. Liked: - Natural dialogue and humor - Complex family dynamics, especially adoption themes - LGBTQ+ representation without focusing solely on coming out - Strong platonic relationships Disliked: - Slow pacing in middle sections - Some found the essay-writing plot device repetitive - A few readers wanted more development of secondary characters Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (89 ratings) BookBrowse: 4/5 Reader Quote: "The characters feel like real teens dealing with real issues. Remy's voice is honest and the family scenes made me tear up." - Goodreads reviewer Common feedback mentions the book works best for readers who prefer character-driven stories over plot-heavy narratives.

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🎭 The novel explores themes of identity through both race and sexuality, as Remy Cameron is both Black and gay - reflecting author Julian Winters' own experiences as a member of both communities. 📝 The core of the story revolves around a college application essay question: "Who are you?" This universal question drives much of the narrative and Remy's self-discovery. 🏆 Julian Winters won the 2020 Georgia Author of the Year Award in the Young Adult category for this book. 🌈 The book's representation of LGBTQ+ youth includes both biological and chosen families, with Remy having supportive adoptive parents while also finding community among his queer friends. 📚 The story incorporates multiple pop culture references, particularly to superhero comics and movies, which serve as both entertainment and metaphors for identity throughout the narrative.