Exit Plans for Teenage Freaks

December 1, 2018

Gr 9 Up{amp}mdash;Cole is two weeks away from graduation. He has an endless list of tasks that need to be completed before he graduates, including exam prep, planning the last party for the Gay-Straight Alliance, and spending as much time as possible with his friends before the end of the year. His jam-packed schedule is further complicated when Cole suddenly starts teleporting to random locations around his town. When he accidentally teleports to his friend Malik's bedroom, he is finally forced to confront the reality of his situation, and when Malik is inadvertently drawn into one of Cole's teleportations, they embark on a series of adventures. Burgoine uses science fiction elements to explore homosexuality, pansexuality, bisexuality, and gender nonconforming identity. The book begins with Cole in the midst of a teleport and thrusts readers into a fast-paced world. Burgoine's immersive writing excels in the details, from the precise sensations Cole experiences at the onset of a teleport to the overwhelming intensity of his feelings for his friend Malik. As the characters develop, the audience will be rooting for Cole and Malik and will become invested in their survival. Although there is no promise for a sequel, the novel ends with the possibility of more to come. VERDICT A definite purchase for any library collection.{amp}mdash;Davia Schmidt, Queens Public Library, NY

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2018
A gay teen discovers a secret talent that could land him in some serious trouble.Cole is finishing high school with a great group of friends, good grades, two supportive parents, and a solid plan for his future: studying linguistics and becoming an ASL interpreter like his Deaf father. When opening a door in his school hallway in small-town Ontario lands him in a museum miles away and the cute athlete he's crushed on from afar starts talking to him, his seemingly smooth senior year and solid future plans go up in smoke. Burgoine (Of Echoes Born, 2018, etc.) has created a gay teen protagonist who is a bit goofy at times but who is comfortable in his own skin. Most of the main teen characters in this book fall on the LGBTQIAP spectrum; the varying representation is refreshing and done well. Most characters are assumed white except for Cole's crush, Malik, originally from Toronto, who is black and the target of microaggressions in this non-ethnically diverse setting. While the fantasy element is compelling, the worldbuilding disappoints: Cole's ability to teleport and the mysterious people connected to his adventures are never clearly explained. The large array of seemingly unrelated topics leave the reader a bit overwhelmed and wanting for more of an explanation and cohesive plot.Overall, a feel-good, contemporary read with strong LGBTQIAP rep and an unusual fantasy subplot. (Fantasy. 14-18)

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