2025 Stonewall Book Award Honor Book

I love this adorable sweet precious book and these adorable sweet precious girls! And their families! It’s so wonderful. Okay, the disability rep is wonderful, and I love the way these girls treat each other. Gabby doesn’t assume anything about Neeks, and she treats her like a normal person. She doesn’t baby her, but she’s there when she needs her. And Neeks is there for Gabby too, through her dealing with her horrible boyfriend and through her trauma and PTSD episode. And they respect each other’s boundaries and wait to move forward with their relationship until they are both ready. It’s really wonderful. And I love the manga angle too, and especially their interaction with the manga artist at the convention. It’s really just a beautiful book all around.

"how dare you be nice to me and make me feel things"

this was a cute story with some great lessons along the way, the story felt like it was stumbling in some parts, but all the representation and realistically complicated relationships while still keeping this fairly low stakes and more on the sweet side was handled really well. I also love that this was 2 stories in 1 with the addition of the manga series in black and white throughout

This author is new to me, but I will be keeping an eye out for anything else they publish. I loved the story and the characters. The pacing of the story was great and the characters were relatable.

I think this graphic novel is SO good. I felt the story was paced well and gave some real “what ifs” that could happen in real life. I loved that it included the manga they were reading in the book throughout the novel too! I think all the representation was great - disability, Latinx, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and mental health. I also appreciate the list of resources at the end if people are in need of someone to talk to.

I'm not sure I really vibed with this book. I liked some aspects of it. I was into the quest of hunting for the out of print books. Ultimately though I found the plot fairly predictable and the characters not compelling enough to keep me engaged.

I don't have too much to say about this graphic novel other than that it is adorable! Not only is it queer but it has a lead disabled character. I read this in just two settings.
This is told by two lead characters who are young, learning about themselves, and finding out who they are while falling in love. There is a story within the story, the characters are reading a book series together. We get to see them find the books in the series and the ending will warm your bookish heart. I also liked the art style and felt that it fit the story. This book does have a few darker and heavier topics in it but I felt that it was handled well. This was a well done queer graphic novel I would recommend to people who enjoy those things.

So touching and emotional! It took me a while to get into the story within the story (I totally get the point of it and appreciated the parallels, but the stark B&W was a little hard visually), but I loved the MCs and their families, as well as their overall journey.

The development of his friendship was absolutely adorable and I love how media can create a strong common ground between people from different walks of life.

Very charming wlw graphic novel that made me so emotional I couldn't focus on anything else. Great POC reps too.

What a cute and wholesome graphic novel. While the cover will attract romance fans, the content will have wider appeal. Great disability rep on both sides and a sweet romance, and the meta manga story was a nice touch! Also, the parents were fantastic.

Navigating With You by Jeremy Whitley is a heartwarming and inspiring graphic novel that beautifully blends adventure, friendship, and personal growth. With relatable characters, captivating artwork, and a focus on overcoming challenges, Whitley delivers a story that’s both uplifting and empowering. A perfect read for those who enjoy stories of resilience and meaningful connections.

I think I just read one of the best book ever. This book was everything I love in books!!! Inclusivity, wlw, social issues, mental health.

I just loved the characters (except you Josh. If I find you Josh….) and most of all, their beautiful and healthy relationships. I particularly LOVED how CP was included in the story.

Tbh, I don’t know if I want to be them or be with them!!!

Reading the book made me giggle, smile, kick my feet, cry, think and so much more.

I loved EVERYTHING in this book. There is not one thing I didn’t like. It was just perfect!

This was a lovely graphic novel. I loved the art and the diverse set of characters (lesbian, bisexual, POC, disabilities) And the fact that these to fell into friendship and love while navigating life in general and grief and mental health in particular.

Tbh, though, I didn’t really read the manga pages after the first one. I guess they had a purpose, but I mostly thought they took up space that could have been left out. I do think this story would be awesome for a teenager figuring out their place or just wanting to read a sweet story about everyday life with a dash of love.

/ Denise

Navigating with you is such a sweet book!! I love it so much!!!!! A thousand million billion stars!!

Two teen girls are navigating a new space as they both recently moved from their hometowns. They discover they both loved a manga series that is hard to find, and decide to challenge each other to find the books and start a book club. There's a diverse cast and it is a story about figuring out they love each other, but this just became painful to read. I actually disliked the interspersed sections from the manga even though it helped the characters figure out their feelings and confidence. This is a good book for teens who are struggling with new relationships and helping determine what is healthy and what isn't, but it doesn't work well for other age groups.

I'm going to start by saying this is one of the sweetest books I've read in a long time. I've picked up other things by Jeremy Whitley but this is the first that I've finished. After reading this however it makes me want to get back to some of his works like Princeless.

Naviating with You is a charming POC led sapphic romance, that brings together two young women from very different backgrounds. Neesha Sparks is a disabled vocal community activist who loves costume design. While Gabby Graciana appears to be a happy-go-lucky surfer. The two of them both start a new school on the same day. And while Neesha isn't looking for friends she stands up for Gabby when the principal is harassing her. Causing Gabby to stop at nothing to be her friend.

Though they are two very different people the two of them realize that they have something in common. They both love the manga, Naviagtor Nozomi. When neither of them can find the books anywhere they start a competition together challenging each other to find the seven volumes of the manga. The prize is that the winner gets to keep the manga, and while they are collecting it they start a little bookclub.

Through their collecting we learn more about the two young women. Gabby's issues with her own bisexuality and the death of her mother, and Neesha's issues surrounding her disability and past broken hearts.

Together as they collect the volumes the two of them become closer. Neesha is the one to fall first, resigning herself to just being Gabby's friend, as the other girl is long distance dating a boy who isn't treating her right.

However as Gabby gets to know Neesha she starts to recognize the signs of her boyfriend's insensitivity and mistreatment of her. The development of their relationship is mirrored by two characters in the manga they are reading Nozomi and Kazane.

They both grow as people and together as they search for the different volumes of manga. The two of them going to an comic convention to find the final volume of the manga and telling the mangaka the story of their romance. She gifts them the seventh volume of the manga, letting them know of how her own own romance inspired the manga.

This book was a five star read, very cute, good artwork and a great message

This book was so incredibly cute! I felt like I really got to know the characters throughout. I love seeing the diversity in the cast, something I wish we had more of. Overall an amazing read

This was a lovely graphic novel about two girls connecting over their shared mission to find and read every issue of a rare manga series. With sapphic and POC lead characters, one of whom is disabled, it's a diverse story. It tackles topics of love, friendship, ableism, emotionally abusive and unhealthy relationships, grief, trauma, identity, the impact of media, and more.
As someone who has needed to use mobility aids a variety of times in the past, the depiction of disability really resonated with me. I don't have the same condition as the character in this book. The experiences of being a young person with a disability in a world that's not always accessible or understanding is highly relatable though. I really appreciate the portrayal.

A thoughtful graphic novel which skillfully handles diversity and disability while delivering an entertaining, satisfying sapphic romance between a passionate community activist and a chill surfer who bond over a shared love of an old manga series. The story is engaging, and the art is absolutely perfect for depicting Whitley's heroines as they tackle everyday life and their growing connection.

I love reading stories where queer love is celebrated. This made me nostalgic for some of my own previous relationships, especially those which I had in my first few years of queer relationships. Really enjoyed this.