Summary
Michael is angry – annoyed – bitter. His dad takes a new job or promotion, and their whole family is uprooted. They’ve moved four times in ten years. And for the latest move Michael, a self-professed atheist, is enrolled in a Catholic high school.
Michael’s never had a faith system. At the school, he knows none of the “rules” – he crosses himself wrong, he’s never been to mass, and he has an uncanny ability to stick his foot in his mouth about anything religious.
But he finds his people – Lucy, the Catholic who wants to be a priest; Avi, the Jewish kid who’s also gay; Max, who likes to wear a cloak to school and is Unitarian; and Eden, who is a Celtic Reconstructionist Polytheist. Together, they are Heretics Anonymous.
It starts out as just a place to commiserate about all the things at the school that make them crazy. But Michael thinks they should do more – actually try to make a difference. But the best of intentions sometimes have a way of going horribly wrong.
Review
This was fascinating and funny! I loved Michael. He’s opinionated and sarcastic, and his anger at home comes out at school with various repercussions. I felt for him in his anger and hurt, but I also understood his faith questions and his struggles at school.
There’s an irreverence to some of this that might turn off some readers. But I loved the honesty of it. It’s raw at times. I’m more comfortable with faith questions than I’ve ever been before in my life (I think it sometimes comes with age.). And I love that this book raises some hard questions. But Michael finds a safe place to raise his questions and fall apart and try to put the pieces back together. I loved all of it. I don’t embrace all of the faith systems and ideas expressed in the book, but I enjoyed the experience of watching the teens try to work through their own ideas. It would be fascinating to talk with some teens who’ve read this and hear their thoughts.
There’s some language and other mature moments in this. And there’s one Bible reference that’s inaccurate in some of the details, but the information and point is right on target. I highly recommend this for readers who love books that make them laugh AND make them think.