Let Them Stare

A queer teen uncovers secrets from their town’s past in this heartfelt novel by Murphy (Faith: Greater Heights) and Van Ness (Gorgeously Me!). Nonbinary teen Sully’s plan for fleeing small-town Hearst, Pa., after graduation collapses when their internship with a New York City–based influencer is suddenly canceled. Upon discovering a pristine vintage leather bag at a thrift store, a new plan is born. But the bag is haunted by Rufus, the sassy ghost of a 1950s “female impersonator” with no recollection of his past. Rufus promises to vacate the bag if Sully helps him unlock his memory. To gain access to Hearst’s archival records, Sully agrees to help their city council member mother unsnarl an ownership dispute that could upend regressive, wealthy Beauregard Hearst’s control of the town. Sully soon teams up with preppy gay classmate Brad, and the duo soon stumbles onto messy—and potentially groundbreaking—discoveries. The collaborators seamlessly connect Rufus’s and Sully’s stories, showing through both the resilience of queer life and the bigotry they each face. Messages of acceptance are wrapped in a romp that moves beyond simple platitudes. Characters read as white. Ages 14–up. (May)

Correction: The text of this review has been updated to reflect a character’s gender identity.