It Looks Like This

When Mike’s family relocates from the Midwest to a small Virginia town on the Atlantic coast, little seems to change. He has a couple new friends, but his father still pressures him to focus on sports, and bullies like his classmate Victor still see his quiet demeanor as an easy target. When basketball player Sean transfers into Mike’s French class, a class project–related sleepover turns into a midnight trip to the beach, skinny-dipping, and more. The two swear to keep their relationship a secret, but Victor, bent on causing chaos, releases a video of Mike and Sean and contacts their religious parents. When the truth of the boys’ sexuality becomes public, Mike must decide whether he can give into the pressure of his parents’ expectations. Debut author Mittlefehldt’s direct style of writing cuts to the heart of Mike’s struggle to embrace his true self and to take control of his life, bringing freshness to a familiar plot. The story is propelled in small, quiet moments that steadily build toward much-deserved hope and acceptance. Ages 14–up. [em]Agent: Brianne Johnson, Writers House. (Sept.) [/em]