Cemetery Boys

2020 novel by Aiden Thomas

Cemetery Boys

Author| Aiden Thomas
Language| English
Genre| Young adult fantasy
Published| Swoon Reads
Pages| 352
ISBN| 9781250250469

Cemetery Boys is a young adult urban fantasy novel by Aiden Thomas, published September 1, 2020 by Swoon Reads. The book's placement on the New York Times Bestseller List made history as the first book on the list by an openly transgender author featuring a transgender character.[1]

## Plot[edit]

Yadriel is queer, trans, Latino, and a brujo (witch). Brujos are known to possess the ability to summon spirits and release them from the physical realm, whereas Brujas possess healing powers. Unfortunately, his family does not recognize him as a man, and expect him to develop healing instead of summoning abilities. Along with his cousin and best friend, Maritza, Yadriel attempts to summon the ghost of his missing cousin, who is believed to have perished. Yadriel hopes that by successfully summoning his cousin, he will prove himself a Brujo. Instead, he calls forth Julian Diaz, a boy from Yadriel's school who does not remember how he died and is not ready to move on.

## Reception[edit]

Before Cemetery Boys was released, it was named one of the most anticipated books of 2020 by Book Riot,[2] Tor.com,[3] Goodreads,[4] Paste Magazine,[5] and Bitch Media.[6]

After release, book was named a best seller by the New York Times[1] and IndieBound,[7] and received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly[8] and Booklist.[9] It was also named best book of the year by Publishers Weekly,[10] NPR,[11] and Barnes and Noble.[12]

Awards for Cemetery Boys Year  | Award  | Result

|
|

2020  | Bram Stoker Award for Best Young Adult Novel[13] | Nominee
Goodreads Choice Award for Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction[14] | Nominee
Goodreads Choice Award for Debut Novel [14] | Nominee
National Book Award[15] | Longlist
School Library Journal (SLJ) Top 10 Audiobooks of 2020[16] | Top Ten
2021  | Locus Award for Best First Novel[17] | Nominee
Lodestar Award[18] | Finalist
American Library Association (ALA) Best Fiction for Young Adults[19][20] | Top Ten
ALA Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults[21] | Top Ten
ALA Teens' Top Ten[22] | Top Ten
ALA Rainbow List[23] | Top Ten

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b Kim, Michelle (2020-09-11). "Trans YA Author Makes History With NYT Best-Selling Novel "Cemetery Boys"". them. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
2. ^ "Most Anticipated Books of 2020". BOOK RIOT. 2020-01-13. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
3. ^ Stubby the Rocket (2020-01-02). "The 25 Most Anticipated Science Fiction & Fantasy Books of 2020". Tor.com. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
4. ^ "The 38 Most Anticipated YA Novels of 2020". Goodreads. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
5. ^ Smith, Eric (2019-12-27). "The Most Anticipated Young Adult Novels of 2020". Paste. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
6. ^ Strolle, Rachelle (January 7, 2020). "25 YA Novels Feminists Should Read in 2020". Bitch Media. Archived from the original on 2021-09-15. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
7. ^ "Cemetery Boys". Kirkus Reviews. June 25, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
8. ^ March Soloway, Jennifer (2020-06-25). "Children's Book Review: Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
9. ^ Bittner, Rob (May 1, 2020). Cemetery Boys. Retrieved 2021-09-15 - via Booklist.
10. ^ "Best Books 2020: Publishers Weekly Publishers Weekly". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
11. ^ "NPR's Book Concierge". NPR. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
12. ^ "Cemetery Boys|Hardcover". Barnes & Noble. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
13. ^ "The Bram Stoker Awards 2020". The Bram Stoker Awards. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
14. ^ a b "Cemetery Boys". Goodreads. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
15. ^ "National Book Awards 2020". National Book Foundation. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
16. ^ Klose, Stephanie. "Top 10 Audiobooks of 2020". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
17. ^ "2021 Locus Awards Winners". Locus Online. 2021-06-26. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
18. ^ "2021 Hugo Awards". The Hugo Awards. 2021-01-01. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
19. ^ Best Fiction for Young Adults: 2021. March 15, 2021. Retrieved 2021-09-15 - via Booklist.
20. ^ "2021 Top Ten Best Fiction". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). 2021-01-14. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
21. ^ "2021 Top Ten Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). 2021-01-05. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
22. ^ "2021 Teens' Top Ten" (PDF). American Library Association. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
23. ^ Rainbow List: 2021. March 15, 2021. Retrieved 2021-09-15 - via Booklist.