Kirby's Lessons for Falling (in Love)

Ages 14 And Up, Grades 9 And Up

When Kirby Tan falls for astrology-obsessed Bex, she struggles to balance her queer identity with her obligations to family and community in this graphic novel from the acclaimed creator of Messy Roots.

Kirby Tan is in free fall.It’s bad enough that she breaks her arm at the rock-climbing invitationals, sidelining her for the season. Now she’s forced to join the newspaper club for some desperately needed extra credit. Worse, she’s recruited by crystal-wearing, tarot-reading Bex Santos for her astrology-based love advice column.As Kirby reluctantly agrees to orchestrate “matches made in heaven” with Bex, she begins to wonder if their own planets could be aligned. But it’s not so easy for Kirby to embrace her queer identity, not when she owes so much to her family and their church community. What would it be like to believe your fate is written in the stars? Can Kirby learn to trust that love will catch you when you fall…?

About the Author

Laura Gao is a comic artist and bread lover currently living in San Francisco. Her debut graphic novel, Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese American, received several starred reviews. Laura’s art career began by doodling on Pokémon cards and has since blossomed to be featured on NPR, HuffPost, and, most notably, her parents’ fridge. She is a proud queer Asian American immigrant and strives to inspire others to live unapologetically loud. Laura’s pronouns are she/they. Say hello and send her bakery recommendations at lauragao.com.