
Reach for this book when your teenager is struggling with the weight of social expectations or the fear that their true self is something that needs to be fixed. It is a powerful resource for families navigating conversations about identity, self-acceptance, and the courage it takes to resist peer pressure. Set in 1973, the story follows Jonathan, a boy undergoing conversion therapy who finds a lifeline through the music of David Bowie and a transformative connection with a boy named Web. This is a deeply emotional historical novel that tackles themes of shame and loneliness while offering a path toward hope and healing. It is best suited for older teens (14 and up) due to its honest portrayal of the era's prejudices. Parents will find it a valuable tool for normalizing feelings of being different and celebrating the restorative power of art and authentic friendship.
Heavy themes of self-loathing, shame, and the fear of being discovered.
References to smoking and typical 1970s teenage social environments.
Depictions of physical bullying and the harmful nature of 1970s 'treatments'.
Conversion therapy (depicted as psychological and physical abuse), homophobic bullying, physical violence, self-harm ideation, and internalized self-hatred.
An older teenager who feels alienated by societal standards or who is struggling with societal pressures related to their identity. This is for the reader who finds solace in art and music when words feel insufficient.
Parents should preview the scenes detailing the conversion therapy sessions, as they are emotionally intense and involve psychological distress. Parents may want to discuss the historical context of the 1970s, including the widespread prejudice against LGBTQ+ individuals and the lack of legal protections at the time. A parent hears their child say, "I wish I could just be like everyone else," or witnesses their child withdrawing due to the fear of not fitting in or being rejected for who they are.
A 14-year-old may focus on the burgeoning romance and the excitement of the Bowie era. An 18-year-old will likely have a deeper understanding of the systemic trauma and the historical weight of the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement.
Unlike many historical novels, this book uses the glam-rock aesthetic of David Bowie as a literal and figurative lifeline, blending gritty historical realism with a surreal, cosmic hopefulness.
Set in 1973, the story follows Jonathan, a boy who believes his *sexuality* is a sickness that needs to be cured. He is undergoing conversion therapy, a process he views as a path to being "normal." His world changes when he meets Web, a boy who encourages him to embrace his true self. Through the lens of David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust persona, the boys find a shared language of music and cosmic escapism. The narrative explores the heavy psychological toll of 1970s societal prejudice and the specific trauma of conversion treatments.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
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