by Jaymie Heilman
RONSDALE PRESS
2023/$19.95/260 pp.
Timing is everything, goes the old adage. I’ve never believed it—timing is definitely not all—but certainly timing comes into play when I consider my response to Edmonton author Jaymie Heilman’s young adult novel Badass(ish). I finished reading this thoroughly enjoyable book near the end of January and found myself musing about it finding a niche at high schools across the province. High school English teachers assigning it. Essays on it for social studies classes. Displays by school librarians. Such pleasant visions…
That bubble burst on January 31 when premier Danielle Smith announced sweeping policy changes that will come into law this fall, most having to do with healthcare for trans youth. But there’s also a proviso stipulating parents will have to opt in to every lesson about sex education, gender identity or sexual orientation. While it’s too soon to say whether this means teachers will have to get parents to opt in to read a book such as this in English class, it’s within the realm of the possible.
Heilman’s novel is smart, funny and engaging, with entirely realistic teen characters dealing with important social issues, including the climate crisis, sexuality and racial identity, as well as mental health and meaningful relationships. Also, the author nails the tricky balance of giving the climate crisis the weight and significance it deserves, while including the struggles of Albertans whose livelihoods are securely hitched to oil and gas.
The Edmonton-based story revolves around Davis, Jae and Renzi. Davis moved to Edmonton with her parents after their home was destroyed in the 2016 Fort Mac wildfire. After her efforts to share information about the link between her hometown’s devastation and the climate crisis, Davis is targeted by online hate-mongers. Renzi is attempting to educate her peers about the impacts of the hurricane in Puerto Rico, which destroyed her grandparents’ home. Animal-lover Jae is doing her best to rehabilitate injured birds and tell her two friends the secret she’s been withholding about her wealthy lifestyle. The three come together to plan an action focused on the climate crisis, and along the way deal with crushes and secrets, insecurities and self-harm, eco-anxiety and environmental degradation.
Heilman has written a fast-paced book with excellent, believable dialogue and likable characters. Even the more minor characters such as the parents are skillfully drawn—one of my favourite scenes involves Davis’s mother dropping f-bombs and wildly throwing clothes as she attempts to find something appropriate for a greenwashing work event.
Since our teachers may not be able to do it, let’s share this book with the teens we know.
Joe Kadi teaches gender and sexuality studies at the U of C.
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