HER NAME IN THE SKY

In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 2012, two best friends attempt to hide their feelings for each other from their strictly religious families and friends.

Hannah and Baker are part of a close-knit friend group at their Catholic school. As their senior year goes on, Hannah finds herself unable to deny her growing feelings for Baker—and she’s sure Baker feels the same. As the deadlines for responding to college acceptances approach, and the seniors confront the reality that they won’t all be together after graduation, they must dig deep to face their feelings and the pressures of their strict Catholic upbringing. Though originally self-published in 2014, this book remains relevant. Quindlen crafts a genuine narrative of the unlearning required after growing up queer within the Catholic church, writing Hannah’s inner turmoil—confronting her acquired beliefs versus her growing awareness of her sexuality—with a sense of authenticity and vulnerability. Readers witness Hannah’s and Baker’s struggles to confront their feelings of attraction and their attempts to conform to societal expectations. The numerous references to the Bible and Catholic beliefs will resonate with readers from similar backgrounds and indicate the author’s understanding of the characters’ perspectives. The side characters are fleshed out as the story follows them throughout their last semester of high school, allowing readers to get to know each one and understand the group dynamics. Main characters read white.

An authentic story of navigating queerness as a young Catholic.