Pitching: Hopepunk

Hardcover design by Adams Carvalho

By Petronie Kabengele

Why does this book matter?

YA books don't often touch on religious matters, so finding a book like Hopepunk, opens the door to a major issue that a lot of kids, teens, and young adults go through.

Hopepunk matters because it speaks on the struggles of going against one’s religion and what this journey may look like, but it also speaks on homosexuality within a Christian environment. These topics can often seem heavy, but author Preston Norton manages to raise awareness to this topic in a fun and lighthearted manner allowing YA readers who share similar stories to relate to his story.

Hopepunk’s potential impact

All I really knew was that the God I had been taught to believe in since I was little had a real fucked-up way of doing things, and I wasn’t sure I believed in that Holy Shithead anymore. And once you’ve allowed yourself to pull that spiritual rug out from beneath your feet, all equilibrium goes out the window. I was left reeling for balance in a world that didn’t seem to make sense anymore. (Norton 10)

In this passage, Hope speaks about her point of view on God and suggests that once you let go of the beliefs that you've grown up with, your world often crumbles around you and leaves you to your own devices. This is the whole premise of YA books, finding yourself, and in this case it's outside of religion.

YA novels are known for the depiction of rebellion. This is often done in a way that the protagonist needs to regain power to find identity, and this is exactly what this story does. By listening to Rock music, and doing everything that is frowned upon by religion, Hope uses acts of rebellion as a way to cope with the situation she is in and better understand herself.

A "mirror" text

This book serves as a mirror for those who share similar experiences not only for queers but also for individuals who come from a religious background or any kind of community where they might not feel like they belong.

In queer books, there is often this preconceived idea that families are not accepting of another family member coming out, but the plot of this story goes against queer stereotypes because the Christian family accepts the male lead, Danny, who is gay. So, this book is a great example of a YA book that goes against stereotypes: it portrays a modern approach to religion and homosexuality.

For members of the LGBTQ+ community, the feeling of loneliness, and being misunderstood is a constant feeling that they experience as they go through life. Especially as young adults trying to figure themselves out. So, it’s important to listen instead of trying to find a solution, and this is something that Hope’s mother does after repeatedly resisting her daughter's rebellious acts and lack of desire to attend church and also when she allows Danny to live in her Christian household.

Robert Bittner, a researcher of LGBTQ+ literature for teens states in his essay entitled "Queer Christian Voices in YA Literature":

The existence of queer Christian experiences and realities expanded upon in YA literature gives teen audiences the opportunity to—at least to some extent—walk for a few moments in the shoes of someone living a different life from their own… When it comes to Christian resources on sexuality, written for teens, the majority are non-fiction texts that focus on heterosexual norms, often in connection to reproductive futures that include “traditional” marriage. (3, 5)

These quotes suggest that the mixture of religion and sexuality is quite hard to come across, and this is another reason why this book matters. It touches on a reality that seems uncommon because it is less frequently spoken about, especially in YA books.