The Golden Boy's Guide to Bipolar by Sonora Reyes
on September 16, 2025
ISBN: 0063358409
Genres: Realistic Fiction, LGBTQ+
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads

“The Golden Boy’s Guide to Bipolar” is a young adult novel by Sonora Reyes. Cesar is a high school student with plans to get back together with his ex-boyfriend, Jamal. Cesar is going to therapy, taking his medication, and things seem to be going well, until things aren’t anymore. Readers will root for Cesar to come out on top as he deals with his mistakes, made worse by internal Catholic guilt. Lots of difficult topics are handled well (and realistically) by Reyes, including suicidal ideation, sexuality, homophobia, and mental health. I really enjoyed Cesar and Jamal’s characters. A recommended purchase for YA collections, especially those where Reyes’ book “The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School” is popular.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.