I feel like, if I was still in undergrad, this book could have come up in both my english or women & gender studies departments. It's a good book for a casual reader, but I also think it could be used as a text when discussing issues of race, gender, sexuality, community, etc. It's hard to be a person without community and it's hard to build community.

I love the tenacity of these characters. I'm pretty sure they're in highschool? Which is a very radical time for some young adults. The story is a good example of thoughtful, angry, brave kids coming together to make a place for themselves which is always encouraging, but the story is also gritty enough that it's realistic. All the characters (not just the main four) are great as well.

The art is very fun and visually accessible, which I always appreciate.

I feel like I'm probably not explaining myself very well on my feelings of Blackward, so I guess you'll just have to read it for yourself and maybe give a copy to every queer kid of color you know.