Daniel, Deconstructed

Autistic high school senior and photographer Daniel Sanchez is convinced that his introverted, geeky ways make him a poor friendship match for popular, bisexual soccer player Ramona “Mona” Sinclair. Though they’ve been friends since they were 12 and share a passion for old movies and Harrison Ford, he’s convinced that, come graduation, she will leave him behind. That’s fine with Daniel—he just wants her to be happy. When he meets charismatic Gabe, who is nonbinary, during a LARPing bout, he denies his instant attraction to them and instead focuses on matchmaking them with Mona. But no matter how hard Daniel tries, his growing relationship with Gabe keeps throwing a wrench in his plans. The cast’s inherently kind and respectful actions as they strive toward maturity together is a bright spot throughout. Via Daniel’s thoughtful examinations of neurodivergence, sexuality, and self-identity through photography (“The filter of a lens between myself and the rest of the world is comforting”), Ramos (The Wrong Kind of Weird), who is autistic and queer, infuses this realistic and relatable romp with raw emotion and affirming introspection. Daniel is Cuban American, Gabe is Black, and Mona has brown skin. Ages 13–up. Agent: Emily Forney, BookEnds Literary. (Feb.)