Cemetery Boys — Content Guide for Parents
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
Longlisted for the National Book Award!
A New York Times Bestseller!
A YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Top Ten pick!
“Goundbreaking.” –Entertainment Weekly
A trans boy determined to prove his gender to his traditional Latinx family summons a ghost who refuses to leave in Aiden Thomas's New York Times-bestselling paranormal romance, perfect for spooky season.
Yadriel has summoned a ghost, and now he can't get rid of him.
When his traditional Latinx family has problems accepting his true gender, Yadriel becomes determined to prove himself a real brujo. With the help of his cousin and best friend Maritza, he performs the ritual himself, and then sets out to find the ghost of his murdered cousin and set it free.
However, the ghost he summons is actually Julian Diaz, the school's resident bad boy, and Julian is not about to go quietly into death. He's determined to find out what happened and tie off some loose ends before he leaves. Left with no choice, Yadriel agrees to help Julian, so that they can both get what they want. But the longer Yadriel spends with Julian, the less he wants to let him leave.
"This stunning debut novel from Thomas is detailed, heart-rending, and immensely romantic. I was bawling by the end of it, but not from sadness: I just felt so incredibly happy that this queer Latinx adventure will get to be read by other kids. Cemetery Boys is necessary: for trans kids, for queer kids, for those in the Latinx community who need to see themselves on the page. Don’t miss this book." —Mark Oshiro, author of Anger is a Gift and co-author of The Sun and the Star
Frequently asked questions
Is Cemetery Boys appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The narrative includes a spirit that attacks characters and describes ritual human sacrifice involving bloodletting. There is a climactic battle that is detailed but not excessively gory. The book is described as a creepy, supernatural tale with suspenseful elements, appealing to fans of horror and dark academia.
Does Cemetery Boys have violence?
The narrative includes a spirit that attacks characters and describes ritual human sacrifice involving bloodletting. There is a climactic battle that is detailed but not excessively gory.
Does Cemetery Boys have scary content?
The book is described as a creepy, supernatural tale with suspenseful elements, appealing to fans of horror and dark academia.
Does Cemetery Boys have religious themes?
The story is set within a brujx community, which involves elements of Latinx spiritual practices and beliefs, particularly around healing and spirit guidance. The narrative explores Yadriel's exclusion from this community due to his transgender identity.
Does Cemetery Boys have racial/cultural content?
While the author identifies as Latinx and the protagonist is of Cuban-Mexican-American descent, race is not a central theme or plot element in the narrative.
Does Cemetery Boys have profanity?
The book contains mild to moderate profanity, including words like 's--t', 'hell', and 'pendejo'.
Does Cemetery Boys have climate change?
No climate themes detected in the search results.
Does Cemetery Boys have sexual identity?
The book includes themes of gender dysphoria and misgendering, as well as references to Yadriel's identity and experiences, which may involve sexual tension. However, explicit sexual content is not detailed in the search results.
Does Cemetery Boys have gender roles?
The story critiques traditional gender roles within the brujx community, where men and women have distinct roles. Yadriel's struggle for acceptance as a trans boy challenges these norms.
Does Cemetery Boys have lgbtq+ themes?
The book follows Yadriel, a transgender teen who seeks acceptance in his brujx community. It highlights his experiences as a gay, trans individual and normalizes LGBTQ+ identities within a magical context.
