By Julian Winters
Viking; an imprint of Penguin Random House; 2023
Julian Winters is the author of the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Gold Award-winning Running with Lions, the Junior Library Guild Selections How to Be Remy Cameron and The Summer of Everything, and the multi-starred Right Where I Left You. A self-proclaimed comic book geek, Julian currently lives outside of Atlanta.
“It’s one hell of a thing being Black or brown and queer”, says Aleeah to Luca. She, Luca, Makayla, Theo, River are siting at a table in a restaurant. Luca is explaining his situation and he nods in agreement. Aleah says even more: “One community loves you for your melanin but denies you because of your queerness. . .The other claims to fight oppression because ‘love is love’ but is quick to forget the added struggle we face because of our blackness.”
These are the facts. In this story, As You Walk On By, Julian Winters clearly makes these facts known in the lives of Luca and Theo. Theo Wright, who is Black and queer, is pressured by his dad to get excellent grades, get scouted by recruiters, and to be accepted into Duke. What Theo really wants is a prom date with his crush. Luca is brown and bi. His family hasn’t accepted his sexual orientation. His public promposal was rejected by his girlfriend, leaving Luca embarrassed, humiliated, and trying to figure things out.
At a party, these five characters seek refuge in an empty bedroom. As the party continues downstairs, these five begin to talk about themselves, each revealing who they really are while disputing who their classmates say they are.
Other themes are present in this story: family relationships, father-son relationships, and adolescent friendships. Theo has a good relationship with his dad, but he and his dad have different ideas about Theo’s future. Theo has two best friends, Jay and Darren. Together they are TNT—The Nameless Trio. However, the TNT’s bond is tested when certain events occur.
What works:
Winters gives us a realistic and refreshing perspective on the Black and queer character. Written in first person singular, we get to know and love Theo. He has plans for his future. He wants to be accepted and respected. He wants love and romance. In this story, we see how Theo figures things out, speaks up and out, and becomes closer to the person Theo wants to be.
Winters doesn’t stop there. We watch other characters grow and develop, defy stereotypes, and reject the labels put upon them. The dares add just enough excitement to engage and keep us wondering the outcome.
What doesn’t work:
Speaking of dares, some of the TNT’s dares didn’t work for me. However, I understand the rationale for the dares.
Pass It OR Grab It?
Grab it. It is a good read.
Black Cotton Reviewers 