"Usually the things we say we hate about other people are actually the things we hate about ourselves, and we forget that we’re all worthy of unconditional love.”

Kacen Callender explores what it means to find acceptance and love in his latest novel. Lark is a budding writer who is trying to gain access to the publishing community by posting on social media. Kasim is Lark's former best friend. When Kasim accidentally posts their feelings for an unrequited love interest on Lark's Twitter account, the two ex-best friends are forced to navigate what comes next.

This book is a layered and nuanced piece of literature that focuses on a message of acceptance and willingness to be truthful and introspective. Callender's characters have clear and distinct voices that blend well and force the reader to reflect on their own experiences of navigating love, friendship, and community. Even though Lark and Kasim are both on their own paths in this story, Calender is able to seamlessly tie in their experiences to lend voice to both the queer and BIPOC communities. This was a truly beautiful story with a fantastic message.

Kacen Callender's writing in this novel is revolutionary in the same way Lark is - quiet, individual, and powerful. I have mixed feelings about this book - I went back and forth between 3 and 4 stars - but while I personally prefer the style of Felix Ever After, I think there's a lot here for old and new fans to enjoy.

Pros:
-The rep is incredible. I've come to accept so many things about even more recent, "progressive" YA novels, like, there can only ever be one nonbinary character, if a character is trans they have to be at some stage of physically transitioning, characters can't be trans AND black AND neurodivergent, etc. Callender blows all of that out of the water. Multiple trans characters with a variety of presentations! Their transness isn't a source of tragedy! Intersectionality!! Discussions of different types of polyamory!!!
-Speaking of neurodivergency... The random song lyrics and commentary from Birdie (who we quickly find out is not a real person but a character in the book Lark is writing) was jarring at first. There's no explanation or lead in. But I adjusted pretty fast and reading this felt, a lot of times, like reading through my own thought process.
-It doesn't shy away from difficult topics. It goes IN DEPTH with some really difficult shit and while it provides nuanced views from multiple perspectives, Lark does pick a stance and stick to it, even as the narrative points out that maybe there isn't only one "right" answer.
-The Twitter responses, OUCH. The second hand anxiety is real, just like those comments - they looked like they were picked straight off an actual thread and I quickly remembered why I do not have a Twitter.

Cons:
-A large part read more like a series of anecdotes or writing class discussions than a plot-driven novel. Probably because:
-The book is entirely character-driven. Based on the book description, I thought there would be more external plot going on, but this is a very introspective book. Which is totally fine! Just not my cup of tea - I prefer more of a balance. I still like the title - someone else pointed out that Lark and Kasim's revolution of self-love and expression might not be the kind of revolution we expect, but it is radical all the same. It think the book description is misleading though, it doesn't really fit the book itself.
-I think I kept expecting certain elements of the plot, like (keeping it vague) Kasim's dad, the protest, etc., to have more impact, but it kind of felt like the Plot moments were just sprinkled throughout to introduce larger topics for the characters to have a discussion about.

TL;DR: I think this book is incredibly important for teens (and adults), and sparks some extremely necessary conversations. The pacing wasn't my cup of tea: if you're looking for action/something story-driven, look elsewhere. BUT if you want to feel like you've stayed up until 2 a.m. with a good friend having a deep talk, read on.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Nonbinary neurodivergent, polyamorous aspiring writer, Lark is in for a summer of mistakes, learning and growing in Lark & Kasim Start a Revolution. Over the summer they attend a writing class, try to get their first novel published and reach 50K followers on Twitter. When an accident happens and they go viral for something they did not do Lark has to either live a lie or risk everything and tell the truth.

The main message of this novel is wholesome, We all deserve to be loved. I wish I had been able to read this book as I was growing up and trying to figure myself out. Any young adult readers right now need to hear this, Don’t change yourself to make others happy.

This book tackles what feels like all of the social issues at once, it can be a little overwhelming at times. Racism, bullying, anti-trans and anti-queer (especially within the community itself), social media, depression, anxiety, how we deal with trauma...and more are all touched on at one point in the story. With all of the issues the writing was still so intriguing and vivid. I personally did not care for the Birdie character and though that they could have been removed and nothing would have been lost from the story.

Overall, this was a great story with a lot of representation with characters you fall in love with in the end, it just might take you a minute to get there.

I honestly just adore this book and am now a forever fan of Kacen Callender’s. I loved Felix Ever After, but this is so good in a different way. It’s about a neurodivergent, non-binary writer and their friends. It’s about Lark learning to love themself. It’s about what it means to be authentic and honest and when and how people call each other out and in and hold them accountable. It’s also about love. These teenagers say so many wise and deep things. I just love Lark’s journey. I wouldn’t say it’s a plot heavy book, but it’s a deep and beautiful book about teenagers finding themselves and loving themselves and learning how to be and communicate things. Could not love this more.

Thank you, NetGalley and ABRAMS Kids publishing for an ARC of this book. This review contains minor spoilers.

Lark is a neurodivergent, nonbinary aspiring author. They are attending a writing class over the summer and writing a sci-fi/fantasy book about a nonbinary character from the future. They are slightly obsessed with their Twitter presence and have a goal of receiving 50k followers because then everything will be amazing. Kasim is their ex-best friend also in the writing class. One night, Kasim accidentally posts under Lark's Twitter that he is in love with someone but they don't love him back. Lark takes credit for the posts because it's getting them more followers and the conflicts begin from there. A majority of the story is spent on the relationships the characters build with each other and how mistakes can shape our lives.

This book addresses many social issues including racism, bullying, anti-trans and anti-queer (especially within the community itself), social media, depression, anxiety, how we deal with trauma...and some I'm sure I've missed. One of my critiques would be there is almost too much going on and not enough time spent on really addressing all of these issues.

One aspect of the book I loved was how the group discussions in the writing class and the rejection letters Lark receives from publishing agents address some of the thoughts and critiques I had about the book. I was just thinking that "man, none of these characters are really likable and make some pretty stupid decisions" when a discussion about likable characters happens in the writing class. Later I realized, "there are a lot of they/thems in this book" then Lark receives a rejection letter critizing their use of too many nonbinary characters. I loved this almost break of the fourth wall. There actually was a strange break in the fourth wall and I wish it had happened more. Early in the book, Lark is approached by a stranger in the park who asks if they want some drugs. They decline and he tells them "the people reading this book wouldn't like you anymore if you did." It's a great scene that I thought was in Lark's head, but then their friends comment that they shoudln't talk to strangers. I really wanted this theme of Lark losing what was real and what was a story to be a bigger deal.

Pros:
- Representation: tons of neurodivergent, nonbinary, queer, trans, and POC characters
- Gender and sexuality are not issues the characters are personally struggling with. It's great to have a book where the MCs are sure about their identity.
- Triad Relationalship rep!
- Sable is ❤
- Great final message

Cons:
- Very character driven and it took me a while to warm up to the characters. The revolution Lark and Kasim start isn't really action packed. (Which I think is the point...)
- Could have done more to address more social issues brought up in the book.

Thank you so much, Amulet Books, for allowing me to read Lark & Kasim Start a Revolution early.

Although I know Kacen Callender wrote countless books for kids, teens, AND adults, I only read one book by them, but what a book! Felix Ever After was such a beautiful, heartbreaking, and heartwarming story. I have to admit that I hesitated a little to start reading Lark & Kasim Start a Revolution because I was afraid that I would be disappointed. But my nervousness was not necessary. Even though this story is different from Felix Ever After, the writing is the same. All those sentences were so vivid that I couldn’t stop reading. Hats off for Kacen Callender. They did it again!

This book was absolutely fantastic. I've already added it to our list for order this year and will recommend it to students.