“Thoughtful” —The New York Times
“A compassionate, welcoming graphic novel about the intersections of faith and identity.” —Publishers Weekly
“An affirming and nuanced graphic novel about a queer teen’s journey from fear to acceptance.” —School Library Journal
“An earnest exploration of the rocky terrain between queerness and faith.” —Kirkus
“[Mark’s] journey and its hopeful ending could be vital for teens facing similar conflicts.” —Booklist
“It’s easy to imagine a queer teen handing this to a religious family member who could use a little education on how an LGBTQ+ identity can coexist harmoniously with their faith.”—Village Voice
From writer Andrew Wheeler (Another Castle, Cat Fight) and artist Rye Hickman (The Harrowing) comes a touching story of religion, desire, and what it means to be yourself no matter how lonely or scared you feel.
2026 ALA Rainbow Booklist Selection
2026 Children’s Book Council Teacher’s Pick
Mark is a good Catholic boy. He goes to church, says his prayers, and spends too much time worrying about hell. When Mark realizes he has a crush on another boy in his school, he struggles to reconcile his feelings with his faith as the weight of centuries of shame and judgment—and his fear of his parents’ response—presses on his shoulders. Mark seeks advice from his priest, as well as a local drag performer, but also receives unexpected input from key figures in Catholic history and lore, including Joan of Arc, Michelangelo, St. Sebastian, and Savonarola. Ultimately, only Mark can answer the question: Is it possible for him to be both Catholic and gay?
