Heretics Anonymous

Beyond an amusing premise, Heretics Anonymous tackles heavier issues. How parents let their children down. How assumptions we have about religion (or lack thereof) manifest as assumptions about the (non-)religious. The various ways to make change, inside and outside of organizations, by staying or leaving. Does religion have room for certain ideas and people? If history suggests the contrary, can room be made?

Henry is obviously passionate and knowledgeable about this topic. She approaches a difficult subject with lots of layers. The characters call one another out for different reasons. Lucy calls out Michael for being condescending and presuming people of faith lack critical thinking skills. Eden calls out Lucy for treating her faith as more reasonable and valid than what Eden believes. Avi and Jenny call out their peers who misunderstand the true impact of Ms. Simon being fired. The list goes on. These moments of tension strengthen the story.

I like a young adult book where young characters are still portrayed with wisdom and dignity. Many of Henry's teen characters are reactive, but they're also insightful and brave. They use their voices to challenge themselves and their friends. They stop and listen to one another and recognize when they've misjudged or overstepped. They help adult authority figures consider different perspectives.

In tone this reminds me of Darius the Great is Not Okay and Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. It made me laugh but it also hurt me a little at some points. The ending was somewhat underwhelming, but I think the text as a whole was done well, and that's thanks to the author approaching a loaded topic with the right mix of reverence and irreverence.