Escape From St. Hell

May 15, 2024
Grades 9-12 Hancox shares a deeply honest and humorous look at his transitioning journey in this sequel to Welcome to St. Hell (2022). His fears and anxieties--of losing connections to lesbian friends he had before he came out, of not being accepted as a "real man," of failing university, of being denied top surgery, and more--will resonate with many, even though the details of British medical care and early YouTube culture may not be familiar. Young Lewis is visited by a vision of his older self, to reassure him that things will get better, as well as to offer better ways of coping. Hancox shares his deadname and cartoon images of himself pre-transition, in part to highlight his parents' journey toward better support and affirm the aspect of himself that struggled to be seen as normal for years. The seriousness of medical care and inner turmoil is balanced by the video-game concept of leveling up and by Lewis' great relationships with his friends. Overall, a wonderfully vulnerable portrait of a young man forging a path to a happy adult life.

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April 15, 2024
A trans teen on the cusp of adulthood grapples with self-expression and acceptance in this graphic memoir. The University of Manchester may be only a 30-minute drive away from St. Helens, the English town where white transgender teen Lewis grew up, but he's so desperate to leave that it feels like traveling a million miles away. With the move fast approaching, Lewis' anxiety skyrockets and he begins to obsess over finding a new look so that everyone will see him as a "real man." But Lewis soon discovers that leaving home and transforming his style won't solve all his problems. Guided by his future self, who drops in to offer advice, Lewis faces his challenges with his emotions, love life, and self-acceptance as if they're levels in a video game. Convinced that no one understands his struggles, Lewis isolates himself, coping by hyper-fixating on his diet and working out. The more he tries to run from his problems (including academic struggles), the larger they become. The author doesn't shy away from showing his own flaws and how his internalized transphobia has affected his relationships. Finding community with other transgender people and accepting help have both played important roles in his growth and well-being. Although the text can sometimes be difficult to follow across the page, the dynamic layout of the black-and-white panels helps communicate Lewis' angst and discontent. An unflinchingly honest portrayal of coming-of-age. (bonus art) (Graphic memoir. 14-18)

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April 1, 2024

Gr 9 Up-In this affirming follow-up to Welcome to St. Hell, Hancox documents his journey to self-acceptance as a trans man growing up in northwest England. While the first volume covered his high school years, this one begins in 2008 with Hancox heading off to Manchester University to pursue filmmaking, starting testosterone, and examining the stereotypes surrounding masculinity. In grayscale illustrations that mimic a video game, a present-day Lewis drops in to give his past-self advice and reassurance, as an anxiety meter on the side of the page documents his fears along the way. This book's strength is in its nuanced exploration of Hancox's insecurities, including his preoccupation with what it means to be a "real man," his experiences dating as a trans man, and the dysphoria that leads to a disordered relationship with exercise and food. Hancox injects humor and levity into the story as he navigates his transition and rediscovers his passion for developing creative content. VERDICT Hancox's relatable portrayal of anxiety is ultimately encouraging, and while the graphic novel is a continuation of his previous work, this book stands alone as a recommended purchase for any library serving teens.-Emily Yates

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