Book 39 Drama

 

Drama by Raina Telgemeier fulfilled the prompt “Read a Banned Book During Banned Book Week Sept. 20-26” for the PopSugar 2020 Reading Challenge. The graphic novel was banned for three years in Texas for being explicitly sexual, and “promoting the homosexual agenda.” (Quotes from the Wiki article that quoted the ACLU of Texas.)

Drama depicts a coming of age story for several middle school children while they work on a school play. Cassie, the main character, experiences the pitfalls of seventh-grade life—falling for the wrong person, dealing with friends, and being in the school play. She is not the only character to grow and change as the story moves forward. Many of the characters experience life-altering emotions and events that push them toward adulthood.

Cassie befriends a set of male twins at the start of Act II. (It’s written as a five-act play.) One brother wants to try out for the play and as the two get to know each other, he shares with her he is gay. Cassie is remarkable in her response—one mature, one totally seventh-grader. She hugs Justin and promises to keep his secret. Then she considers his brother Jessie as a love interest. As the book goes on, more drama occurs and more tough times and heartbreak for Cassie—though she is amazing in dealing with all her disappointments. In an age when many middle-schoolers are wracked by depression and anxiety, Cassie holds her head high but also lets the tears go when she needs to.

Spoilers ahead!

I believe the book was banned because it depicted a kiss between two boys (probably both were around thirteen), one of whom is in a red dress. Since it’s a graphic novel, we see the kiss. It was a beautiful moment. Our wonderful Jessie steps out from the shadow of his brother (a place he chose to be allowing his twin shine).  He goes out on stage, pushing all his anxiety behind him, and saves the show. And it means playing the female lead and wearing her costume. The real actress refused to return to the stage because of drama. Jessie gets to sing, perform, and kiss the boy he has a crush on. West, who plays the other lead, goes with it and kisses Jessie without hesitation.

I loved it. Such a monumental moment for a great character. But knowing the homophobic attitude I see in some parents, I’m not surprised it was banned. I’m so glad I let my kids read this book. (Actually, my fourteen-year-old stole it from me and read it twice this week.)

Ms. Telgemeier is the author of two popular graphic novel series—The Babysitters’ Club and Smile/Sisters. My children, like many others, ravenously ate up those stories and craved anything else she wrote. Perhaps conservative parents were shocked to have LGBTQ+ characters in the book, much less a full-on smooch. But this is the world our kids live in. Teens today are very open about gender, sexuality, and personal preferences. They are not bogged down as older generations are with what is “normal” and what is “wrong.” They just see people and love them for who they are.

I’m so happy this book is in the world. I loved reading Jessie’s story and cheered for him when he could finally be himself. I felt for Cassie too, chasing all the wrong boys. By the end of the story, she learned her lesson about not “liking” every guy who is nice to her. I hope Ms. Telgemeier writes more stories with LGBTQ+ themes.

I give Drama by Raina Telgemeier Five Big Cannon Pops.