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Reviewed by: Kathy Jaccarino, High School Librarian Title: Daniel, Deconstructed
Author: James Ramos
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Year: 2024 Good for Grades: 9-12 Genre/Type of Book: Realistic Fiction/Diverse Abilities/LGBTQIA
Content Warnings, or things that other School Librarians should be aware of: It is a romance, but no graphic scenes
Recommended for a school library: Yes Reason(s) for choosing the book: The cover appealed to me, as well as the diversity of the characters.
If you were tasked by the publisher with writing a short quote for the back cover of this book, what would it be:
Welcome to the spectrums, where everyone is welcome.
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Review:
Daniel Deconstructed focuses on Daniel, a Cuban/black autistic high school senior who is much more comfortable behind the lens of the camera and in LARP (live action role playing games). He is best friends with Mona, a bisexual star athlete at his high school. The two have been friends since they were 12. Enter, Gabe, black non-binary musician, also into LARP. Gabe’s entrance into the story throws Daniel. There is a definite attraction between Daniel and Gabe, but Daniel thinks Gabe would be better suited for Mona, so he tries to get them together. Through the trajectory of this love story, it is obvious that Daniel and Gabe belong together, and ultimately, they do get together. That is not the part of the story that jumps out to me. I love Daniel’s story as a person on the neurodiversity spectrum trying to cope and adjust to “fitting in” to the world around him. The author, also autistic and queer, does an excellent job of giving us glimpses into Daniel’s world- how he decompresses, how he practices behaviors, and how he sets up his home space to be one that gives him a chance to unpack all his feelings/emotions/tensions that come with trying to fit in. His rules! To me, this was fascinating. I loved Daniel and Mona’s relationship (though it surprised me that he thought he was hiding his autism from her!!??) Daniel is a photographer and uses the camera as a buffer between him and the world. One reviewer states, “Daniel’s thoughtful examinations of neurodivergence, sexuality, and self-identity [are articulated] through photography, ‘The filter of a lens between myself and the rest of the world is comforting.” Not only does the author explore/explain the autism spectrum though Daniel (and secondary characters Phoebe and Aisha), but they also explores the gender/sexuality spectrum. I found this application of the term spectrum fascinating and illuminating. The book quietly and seamlessly introduces bisexual, binary, queer, and aromantic identities. I love the dichotomy of the word spectrum- the neurodiversity meaning and the gender/sexual meaning, and how the author explores them all, and all are okay. Everyone’s story matters.
If I had to select a broad theme for this novel it would be overcoming adversity and determination. Daniel never gives up, and the lengths he goes through to accommodate his different abilities is incredible. I think this book could have a place in the curriculum given the diversity of the characters and the complexity/duality of the plot and themes. I think perhaps best as a literature circle option.
Number of party hats:
For more information about this book, see the publisher's website.