Exit Plans for Teenage Freaks

Gr 9 Up—Cole is two weeks away from graduation. He has an endless list of tasks that need to be completed before he graduates, including exam prep, planning the last party for the Gay-Straight Alliance, and spending as much time as possible with his friends before the end of the year. His jam-packed schedule is further complicated when Cole suddenly starts teleporting to random locations around his town. When he accidentally teleports to his friend Malik's bedroom, he is finally forced to confront the reality of his situation, and when Malik is inadvertently drawn into one of Cole's teleportations, they embark on a series of adventures. Burgoine uses science fiction elements to explore homosexuality, pansexuality, bisexuality, and gender nonconforming identity. The book begins with Cole in the midst of a teleport and thrusts readers into a fast-paced world. Burgoine's immersive writing excels in the details, from the precise sensations Cole experiences at the onset of a teleport to the overwhelming intensity of his feelings for his friend Malik. As the characters develop, the audience will be rooting for Cole and Malik and will become invested in their survival. Although there is no promise for a sequel, the novel ends with the possibility of more to come.