Friday I'm in Love

About this book

It's too late for a Sweet Sixteen, but what if Mahalia had a coming-out party? A love letter to romantic comedies, sweet sixteen blowouts, Black joy, and queer pride. “A perfect ode to romantic comedies, wrapped in a dazzling rainbow dress.” —Rachael Lippincott, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Five Feet Apart and She Gets the Girl Mahalia Harris wants. She wants a big Sweet Sixteen like her best friend, Naomi. She wants the super-cute new girl Siobhan to like her back. She wants a break from worrying—about money, snide remarks from white classmates, pitying looks from church ladies . . . all of it. Then inspiration strikes: It’s too late for a Sweet Sixteen, but what if she had a coming-out party? A singing, dancing, rainbow-cake-eating celebration of queerness on her own terms. The idea lights a fire beneath her, and soon Mahalia is scrimping and saving, taking on extra hours at her afterschool job, trying on dresses, and awkwardly flirting with Siobhan, all in preparation for the coming out of her dreams. But it’s not long before she’s buried in a mountain of bills, unfinished schoolwork, and enough drama to make her English lit teacher blush. With all the responsibility on her shoulders, will Mahalia’s party be over before it’s even begun? A novel about finding yourself, falling in love, and celebrating what makes you you. “Mahalia’s story lives, breathes and glows. I’m in love with it every day of the week!”

Censorship history

In 2024, "Friday I'm in Love" by Camryn Garrett was banned at the school level in several districts across the United States due to its LGBTQ+ content. This ban reflects a growing trend of challenges against books featuring queer themes, often initiated by parents and advocacy groups concerned about the appropriateness of such material for students. Specific instances of these challenges have occurred in states like Texas and Florida, where school boards have voted to remove books from libraries and curricula, citing concerns over sexual content and age appropriateness. As of now, the ban remains upheld in many districts, with ongoing debates about the inclusion of LGBTQ+ literature in educational settings.

Bans

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