Where We Go From Here written by Lucas Rocha translated by Larissa Helena, reviewed by Bethany Bratney

Summary: Victor has been dating Henrique for several months, but after Henrique divulges that he is HIV-positive, Victor breaks things off. Victor and Ian meet at the doctor’s office while awaiting their HIV test results. When Ian is diagnosed as HIV-positive (Victor is negative), Victor comes to his aid by putting him in contact with the only other positive person that he knows, Henrique. As the three young men, each telling a piece of the story, grapple with their HIV status, their identity as gay men, and the judgment that they face, they weave in and out of each other’s lives, providing support, encouragement, and sometimes dramatic moments. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: Though HIV-positive teens are seriously underrepresented in YA fiction, this book presents some challenges. At times, the story shifts to an almost clinical representation of living with HIV, which provides excellent information, but detracts from the narrative. The differing HIV statuses of the three main characters, and a few physical features, offer the only significant character differences causing the 3 to blur together at times. Since the story is heavily character driven until the last 50 pages, this lack of differentiation makes the book feel repetitive and lackluster at times. The characters all live in Brazil, which has markedly different attitudes and approaches to treating individuals with HIV, as well as drastically different lifestyle options than an American teen would have available to them. As a result, much of Henrique, Victor and Ian’s medical circumstances, in addition to their daily lives and activities (going to bars, attending university) will not be relatable to many American high school students. There is important representation and information in this book, but it seems like very few students will be interested in finding it or able to relate to it when they do.