Review: An Eighth Grade Gay Straight Alliance by Daniel Micko

Hard-hitting in its honesty and authentic narrative voice, An Eighth Grade Gay Straight Alliance by Daniel Micko shines a light on the societal forces and peer pressures that shape growing up today.

When the enigmatic Brooklyn Jennings starts her own Gay-Straight Alliance at her middle school in Modesto, California, she makes her intentions clear: no adults, no teachers, and a vision to “shake things up.” Sydney Troller may be smitten by Brooklyn’s devil-may-care vibes, but she also doesn’t want to get involved in anything that could land her in trouble – or even jail. Testing the lines of privilege, purpose, and power, this ambitious GSA isn’t afraid of pushing the boundaries in the spirit of rebellious women from the past.

The stakes continue to rise and interpersonal dynamics get more complicated as romance blurs with righteousness, and the panic of reality sets in for some of these young radicals. The storytelling is honest, without any sign of sugar-coating or forcing hard moments to be more palatable; this well-balanced rawness is unusual, requiring a skillful pen to achieve. Seeing the unexpected consequences of self-care and standing strong reminds readers that doing the right thing can often be the hardest thing to do, illustrating the power of talking about your emotions and communicating in safe spaces, but also its impact.

As a result, the significance of this book transcends the narrative, providing an encouraging tool for readers of all ages and necessary evidence that “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” For older readers who don’t have a direct link to younger generations, the torn-from-reality nature of the prose may occasionally feel like a foreign language, but the emotional significance of the subject matter is timeless and accessible. From cutthroat circles of friendship and the toxic landscape of social media to internal struggles with sexuality, religion, race, and belonging, Sydney and Brooklyn navigate myriad issues with a sensitivity that feels essential and a perspective that can only be described as timely, offering the reader a profound peek into the Gen Z experience.

Sydney’s relationship with her mother is also notable, packed with powerful lessons for readers; there are examples of healthy boundaries, earned trust, and mutual accountability, but also the realities of responsibility reversals, addictive personalities, and violations of trust – hard truths that are often overlooked in traditional parent-child relationships. Additionally, there is something decidedly refreshing about how frank and curious Sydney is regarding LGBT issues, rather than the common narrative arc of overcoming shame or finally coming to terms with one’s identity, and this rich authenticity stands out among other books in the genre.

There are some technical issues to resolve, including sloppy typos and misused words (e.g. “wonder” instead of “wander”). While these instances are only occasional, they stand out against the careful crafting of the story and the linguistic immersion of the dialogue. Despite needing some superficial fixes, the story is emotionally gripping and painfully real, urging readers to interrogate their own values and truly consider what side of history they want to stand on, resulting in a vitally important read.