Join us for a presentation by Mike Curato, author of the graphic novel Flamer which received several honors including the 2020 Lambda Literary Award for LGBTQ Young Adult, the 2021 Massachusetts Book Award for Young Adult, and was listed as one of NPR’s Best Books of 2020. Flamer also has the distinction of being one of the top 10 banned books of 2024, and Mike has become a fierce advocate of free speech.

The highly acclaimed young adult book is a semi-autobiographical graphic novel in which Curato addresses his own adolescent struggles with being gay and bullied. Curato said he wrote the book to validate his own life and help other kids like him. Mike’s debut adult graphic novel, Gaysians, released in June of 2025 to critical acclaim. His presentation will be followed by a book signing.

This event is part of Wheaton’s Fall of Freedom programming.