Ask the Passengers is a heartfelt and thought-provoking coming of age novel by the very talented A.S. King, who has been nominated for both the Edgar and the Printz awards. While it explores LGBT issues, this book has themes--not to mention exceptional writing--that make it relatable to any teen. Astrid, like many girls, is not sure where she fits in. She doesn't fit into her dysfunctional home. Her high strung and self-absorbed mother is not someone who understands nor wants to understand Astrid. Her dad smokes too much pot, and her sister is favored by her mother. Astrid's mother and younger sister go out on bonding nights (where the sister is allowed to drink wine) that Astrid is not invited to. All Astrid knows is that she has feelings for her coworker. She likes kissing her, but is not sure what to make of that. Does that make her gay? She can't put herself squarely in either a lesbian or straight box. She'd love to talk to someone about it, but there is no one in her small minded town to turn to. Instead, Astrid, a philosophy buff, turns to the teachings of the classic philosophers to learn and accept just who she really is. This book has some mature language (f--k, sh-t, a-shole, p-ssy) and some gay slurs. Astrid and her girlfriend come close to having sex, but do not because Astrid is not sure of what she wants--and what this "makes her." As with other books by A.S. King, there is a quirky magical element to this read. Astrid's "messages of love" which she sends up to passengers on the plane seem to actually reach them, and good comes of it. Ask the Passengers is a book about learning who you are, accepting who are, and finally, loving who you are. It's offers a valuable message for anyone, gay or straight.
