I’m not normally a fan of anything with historical elements but this had me hooked from the beginning!

(Always ignore star ratings - they're arbitrary and a false measurement of art <3)

Title: Queer As A Five-Dollar Bill

Author: Lee Wind

Genre: YA, Contemporary, LGBTQ+ (Gay & M/M)


A Few Starting Notes:

I received a free digital review copy of this book from NetGalley. NetGalley provides books to reviewers as an opportunity to provide fair and honest reviews.

Lee Wind runs the awesome book blog 'I'm Here. I'm Queer. What the Hell Do I Read?' which allows reviewers to exchange views on Queer YA and MG.

I'm a fan of Lee and have commented/shared review links on his blog before, but I promise to be totally fair and honest!

(BTW, you can read Queer As A Five-Dollar Bill for free on Lee's blog!)

Knowing of Lee, and hearing the premise, I just had to give this one a try!

This book is #OwnVoices for Gay representation.


The Premise:

Wyatt lives in Lincolnville, Oregon, in an Abraham Lincoln-themed B&B, and his school's history project is on - you guessed it - Abraham Lincoln.

But history - well, the facts aren't always what people believe them to be.

And, as Wyatt is about to discover, Lincoln? Was* Queer.

Cue a huge Homophobic media row that threatens to damage his parents' business, and reveal Wyatt's own sexuality in a hostile atmosphere...



*Really - not just this fictional version of Lincoln. Real Lincoln. Dude was Queer. #TrueStory




The Best Bits:

This one pulled me in!

I was right there with Wyatt as he struggled, wanting to scream at his family and friends to see what was in front of their faces and help him!

The atmosphere here was damn-near small-town suffocating.

And the heart-rending worries of a kid who thinks that the people they care about most in the world won't love them if they come out is... it hits hard.

There's also the fact that Wyatt might be physically in danger if anyone finds out - this is not an understanding place to live.

Plus I just really liked Wyatt!

Yeah, he makes some mistakes and messes stuff up (the way he treats his 'girlfriend', Mackenzie, for example,) but it all comes from this poor kid trying to be safe and happy in an unkind world.

And he's lowkey a little bada**.

To survive this long in this closeted toxicity? And still stand up for the truth?

This kid is stronger than he gives himself credit for.

I also like the way Wind brings us back to earth - Lincoln wasn't some kind of Queer god. He was human, and therefore flawed.

I like the discussion of hero worship and its pitfalls, and accepting the entirety of the truth, rather than closing your eyes to the bad stuff.


The Not-So-Great Bits:

The pacing had a few wibbly-wobbly moments - just occasionally we seemed to put the gas pedal at random places, once or twice we applied the brakes in the same way.

I mean - life isn't always one pace, to be fair.

But, like, I noticed it while reading, so... make of that what you will!

One of the main (and one of the only) criticisms that I've seen about this book on the Interwebs* is that the Homophobia, in particular, is melodramatic and unrealistic.

While I can see how someone might come to that conclusion... I respectfully disagree.


*Check me out, researching stuff! #ProBlogger



Listen, the world has changed a lot over recent years, but...

It doesn't seem unrealistic to me. Even living in a pretty tolerant country, it's all too possible.

People can and do attack and kill Queer people.

People can and do use slurs - even people in positions of authority.

People can and do react frighteningly agressively when you talk about historical figures, or even fictional characters, being Queer.

Just because you don't see it, doesn't mean it's not there.



Content Warnings:

We deal with some deep sh** in this one, dearest nerdlets, so be careful:

- Homophobia (lots of it)
- Explicit Homophobic slurs, including from teachers etc.
- Bullying (inc. physical Homophobic attacks)
- Being closeted
- Coming Out
- Being outed/the threat of being outed
- Severe financial problems
- Family issues
- references to racism

...I think that's everything. As always, please be careful reading, and let me know if I've forgotten anything!


The Verdict:

Seeing as how most of my 'not so great bits' section was spent refuting one of the main criticisms of this book, you've probably guessed that I was impressed!

This was... so good. And will mean so much to so many teens (and probs quite a few adults.)

Obviously, I understand if the subject matter is too much. But if you can face it, then I highly recommend Queer As A Five-Dollar Bill.

Overall, a reasonable book.

I did, however, struggle with this book a little. The homophobia and slurs started to become too much for me to listen to. I also felt like some of the reactions some of the characters were having were extremely dramatic, or, completely unrealistic. (gym teacher not saying a single word when he walks in on Jonathan pinning Wyatt to the floor of the changing rooms with a shoe on his face) I also struggled to really care about any of the characters to be honest.

Overall, it was okay. I wouldn't reread it.

Unfortunately, for my older books requested I was unable to review probably. They were never read, not because they weren't great, but because I ended up sick. I am just now getting back into the swing of thinks. Thank you, Netgalley.

Queer as a Five Dollar Bill is GREAT, and had me hooked right from the start. The book was out on audio when I got around to reading it, and that was an absolute pleasure to experience. The narrator is brilliant, and the storyline had me fully reacting the whole way through. I don't think I have reacted to a book so much before —passionately talking back amidst the characters’ conversation, sometimes catching myself about to shout out an interruption, often breathing out huge frustrated sighs.

It’s worth noting that I don’t read books if they’re unnecessarily or shamelessly antagonistic. I will stop reading a book at any point, no matter how charming the characters or premise may be, if I am made to listen to violent homophobia or nonsensical, idiotic rudeness that, yes is realistic, but is not at all what I open my heart to when I’m reading. I have no patience or tolerance for it. But Lee Wind crafted some kind of magic in this, his incredible timeless breathtaking debut, and made it so there was just enough to spark an instinctive response, a sense of righteous anger, without allowing the darkness to tip right over.

When Wyatt comes out to his parents, it's goood. There’s the briefest moment of uncertainty, a flicker of emotion where my eyebrows literally shot up, which I don't think has EVER happened. But, one breath later, you realize it's all okay. I loved Wyatt's courage, his conviction, his perspective, Martin's patience. There's a cute scene where Martin tells Wyatt all his clever comebacks to the homophobic comments people make —a supremely special and encouraging scene that I wish we saw in books and films more often!

I loved that Queer as a Five-Dollar Bill talks frankly about the social justice issues of the past, and the way they're still today's issues. The characters question each other, and they question themselves. Always with such sincerity. It's SO important in the fight for, and the ongoing conversation of, equality and true justice, that we allow ourselves and our heroes to be imperfect. —When Rhonda and Martin talk with Wyatt's family about Martin Luther King, it’s the kind of conversation I have with my friends and family. That's the kind of awareness that matters, and is helpful if you allow it to seep into the rest of your life.

There's a wonderful interview at the end of the audiobook, where Lee Wind says a bunch of lovely things that make me like him even more. When asked about his hopes for the book, he quotes Anne Lammott, whose books have rescued me from the depths of complete and utter loss of direction. The line says “Lighthouses don't go running all over an island looking for boats to save; they just stand there shining.” and it perfectly encapsulates what this book is. I hope Lee Wind is a thousand times proud to have his book shining on bookshelves all over the world. I’m so proud to know I have one to share.

Content warnings: There's tons and tons of homophobic language, bullying, really hateful speech and even a white republican uprising against the idea of Lincoln being gay that feels all to real. I didn't find it too harsh to withstand, though. I think the author balanced it carefully. But it IS intense, and realistic, and horrible. Also, Martin is quite… concerned with dust mites, and he carries a plastic bed cover with him to protect himself; A routine that Wyatt describes as weird several times.

When I first tried reading Queer as a Five-Dollar Bill, it was a DNF.
Upon trying it again, it is ok. Nothing great, but I did finish it this time.

This was such a pleasant surprise! I will say, I was skeptical at first about the plot. Abraham Lincoln being possibly queer? It didn't fit at all with the image I had of him in my head. But like the main character, I was amazed reading all the letters (which are REAL!) and thinking how that possibility seemed more and more plausible.

I also really liked how the relationship that blooms during this book was developed and treated. I really thank the author for that. It made me smile and nod a lot. This is how it should be a lot of times.

Overall and entertaining and exciting book to read.

This was a lovely and heartfelt book! I'd definitely recommend it to queer teens who are trying to figure out their identity and could use a narrator who relates.

Wyatt (our MC) has the most insufferable bff known to ya fiction, but all that turns about when he meets a librarian who gives him a book that hey hey shows omg Lincoln may have been gay. I was signed, sealed and sold on the premise and the casual way the book delivers its story makes it feel like a casual story telling session where it's a (better) bff telling what's going on. Of course when Wyatt reveals what he founds it rocks his world. The tumultous upheaval of revealing something so scandalous is unsurprising as we straight folk will never learn that homosexuality isn't gossip fodder- like finding out your resident priest has been shagging the chief's wife. The drama can be fun or irritating depending on which way you swing, but I would still recommend the hell out of this gem.

Incredible, adictive and empowering. This book speaks about how capable youth is of changing the tides and how important it is to be our own true selves. I just disliked how the author tried to redeem a hateful character all of a sudden. That put aside, these characters are way too human and the plot way too surreal. The result? An amazing YA novel about history, freedom and love.

*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free book!*

"Queer as a Five-Dollar Bill" takes place in the US, where a closeted gay teenager named Wyatt has to write a blog entry about Abraham Lincoln, who supposedly slept in the B&B his parents are running, for school. He fails his paper in school because his thesis that Lincoln was gay (or at least bisexual) because of very suggestive passages in (historical!) letters from and to Lincoln's best friend of the time, is not accepted in connection to a former president. However, Wyatt who is also trapped in a one-sided relationship with his former best friend Mackenzie (she initiated it and he couldn't chicken out fast enough) did not mean to wrack havok to an entire town.

I didn't really like the beginning and I think that the ending was a bit too sweet, but the novel was in parts very funny and it's astonishing what Lincoln actually wrote in historical documents. The author spend a lot of time tracking down all the passages to which queering can be applied and it's fun.

Three stars.

I enjoyed reading this book and I loved the topic and representation. It was such a crazy ride, with beautiful diversity, historical facts and references and lovely characters. Definitely the book to recommend :)

This book was amazing! A pure ode on equality and self-love. Wyatt is a closeted teen who lives in Lincolnsville, a town where EVERYBODY is obssessed with Abraham Lincoln. The book was a real page-turner, specially when they have to read a book about Lincoln and write a blog about it. I didn't know how Wyatt was going to escape from that situation. Everyone hated him, or better said, they hated the idea that Abraham Lincoln may have been gay. But also, he was fighting an inner battle. Acepting who he truly was and stop hiding and pretending he was straight.

Among the story, we find excerpts of letters, pictures and very interesting information about Abraham Lincoln and his friend Joshua Fry Speed. Also, I learnt a little bit more about the history of the United States of America.

I loved that we saw the world through Wyatt's eyes: a teen boy who hates school because he's bullied, who can't even tell his best friend that he's gay. He lives a normal life, until the "Abraham Lincoln loved Joshua Fry Speed" situation explodes. Some were against it. Some were in favour. But Wyatt, with the help of his parents, his friends and a bunch of strangers who also want that "all men (no exceptions) are equal", he gets to convince everybody (or most of the people) that equality is what Lincoln and King wanted: white, black, latino, Asian, gay, straight, trans, bi, religious or atheist, rich or poor... Everyone is different. So what? If we were all the same, the world would be a boring place. Let's lift each other up, not tear each other down

Ah! I struck out again. I was hoping for a cute queer story with some laughs. What I got was a lot of history and random Abraham Lincoln facts. I tried to read a few chapters and ultimately couldn’t get into it. I know I should stay away from anything historical but I had high hopes.

Lee Wind really did write a amazing story.
A book young-adults and adults can enjoy since it really touches on something that's so topical, and so important that is the homophobia, and the conservatives that still exists all around even if it's getting better slowly.

Lee Wind's writing flow's really well, and though it has it's hard parts, you just really just feel it reading.

10/10 recommend

I read this as a NetGalley ARC. I hope they fixed the formatting in the published version. In this version, I couldn't read any of the images Wyatt was generating (the blog, and text messages). I'm not considering that part of the review, just telling you I'm missing content I had to guess at.

I enjoyed this story quite a lot. Wyatt's caught in a neat snare between inner and outer conflicts, and when his best friend inadvertently makes it worse, his attempt to use her misstep anyway just creates more of both. The hatred he encounters is scary, his solutions have consequences, the crush is stressful on top of everything else -- I really admired how not-simple it started and how it just kept multiplying on him. I disliked the kid antagonist (of course), but I resent that Wyatt's best friend falls for him. That, and the filmed scene at the end, threw me out of the story enough to deduct a whole star for.

However: do I think Abe Lincoln was not straight? I don't care either way, though I'm sympathetic if he was. That can't have been easy. I appreciated the author's showing repeatedly that equating a gay Lincoln with bad is bigoted, hateful, and wrong. That's worth the fifth star.

I really enjoyed this book even though I'm not a huge fan of YA.
I love that its real history and book is just an interpretation of it. Wyatt was really brave it putting out the blog. I loved all the characters. His coming out is one I dream about.
With the Star Wars references and Lincoln's real letters, I really loved reading this book. It tells an important message, that we are all equal. And that maybe if one the major characters of history was queer, then the world might be more accepting.
*Provided by the Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Life is hard when you're 9th grader, Wyatt. He's trying to keep his head above water in a school where he's bullied constantly and dating his best friend MacKenzie. He loves MacKenzie and he wants to want to date her, but he just doesn't. Dating MacKenzie does give Wyatt a bit of relief from the gay jokes and digs that he receives daily... so maybe it's a good thing?

When their class is assigned a book report on Abraham Lincoln, Wyatt is given a rare book by the librarian: Joshua Fry Speed: Lincoln's Most Intimate Friend. As Wyatt is reading the book he comes to the conclusion that Lincoln was gay! What if the world found out that Lincoln was gay? Would that change anything? Wyatt does some research and posts on his school blog about the relationship between Lincoln and Speed.

A simple book report creates a huge splash and soon Wyatt is drowning. The bullying worsens, the Principal threatens to hold him back a grade if he doesn't delete his work and even the girlfriend he couldn't want... dumps him. When his blog gets picked up by the media everything spirals out of control and the welfare of Wyatt's family is in jeopardy. The Lincoln-themed B & B that Wyatt's parents own begins to lose customers, his Mom's employment is threatened and the town fights back.

The one bright light is Wyatt's out, gay friend, Martin. Wyatt got connected to Martin online and he's helping to promote Wyatt's theory that Lincoln is gay. But that's just making things worse! HIs parents are furious, no one at school talks to him except to insult him... pretty much the whole town hates him.

When Martin and his lawyer Mom arrive at the B & B, the tide begins to turn.

Struggling to find his way through the mess his life has become, Wyatt begins to fight for Lincoln and Speed's right to be who they were, and by virtue of that... his own.

This is a lovely story about the "battle of 9th grade". Middle school is a difficult time for kids... I still remember. Wind writes Wyatt's journey of self-discovery well; leading the reader through the panic of thinking you're different, the terror of finding out you are and then the hope that comes with finding allies on your journey.

I will happily recommend this book to all the kids in my life because I want them to read about a small town kid who is fighting to be himself. This is a good story and it means something to my heart.

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Queer As A Five Dollar Bill is available at Amazon, Indigo & from other online booksellers!

I received a digital ARC copy of "Queer As A Five Dollar Bill" from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wyatt is a ninth-grader in Lincolnville, lives in the Lincoln Slept Here B&B with his parents, and has a best friend, Mackenzie, who confesses she has feelings for him on a day a classmate bullies Wyatt, teasing him and accusing him of being gay.

Except Wyatt IS gay, closeted, and doesn’t know how to tell Mackenzie that even though she thinks she’s his girlfriend, he’s not attracted to her that way. Things take an interesting turn when, in acquiring books for the required Lincoln book report, the librarian slips Wyatt a book that implies Abraham Lincoln had an illicit romance with a male friend, Joshua Fry Speed. As soon as Wyatt’s blog is posted, all hell breaks loose in Lincolnville.

Lee Wind’s debut novel is a treat – there is humor woven into the story, as well as the poignancy of a gay teen boy in a “straight” small town. Injected into the story of a boy not sure about coming out is his fascination with a Civil War soldier’s image, who he imagines is gay like him (as well as his crush), and his attraction to a real boy who is gay and out. Wyatt meets Martin through a video Martin posted, and when things start getting scary for Wyatt (the town threatens to sue him to get the library book back, saying it was loaned to him in error), Martin and his lawyer mother Rhonda show up to lend their help and support in making sure Wyatt’s rights are defended.

Queer as a Five-Dollar Bill is a fun read, and has a satisfying ending on all fronts. Wind intersperses the text with text messages, radio transcripts, and transcripts from videos posted online. It’s a good story, and as an ally, it’s always heartwarming to read a story with a gay protagonist. I also enjoyed Wind’s nod to one of my favorite books with a gay protag, David LaRochelle’s Absolutely, Positively Not.

Unique writing and story that kept me interested. A story that had me wanting to read more. Relatable characters and a good flow. Would recommend!