TWO TRUTHS AND A LIONEL

Lionel Honeycutt III has grown up in the shadow of his famous actor grandfather, who recently passed away—and now he must figure out the kind of man he wants to be.

Lionel, a Black 16-year-old, has always admired his grandpa’s drive, athleticism, and ambition—and he’s acutely aware that, by comparison, he and his dad don’t “measure up.” When a fire breaks out while he’s at a local pet store, Lionel finally has the chance to be seen as a hero. Leaked video footage seems to show him saving the life of another customer. The only problem is that Lionel doesn’t actually remember these events. Nevertheless, he leans into the narrative and quickly finds himself at the center of a whirlwind of interviews, extra attention at school (including admiration from his crush, Josefina Ramos), and viral stardom. But when a mystery witness calls his heroics into question, Lionel’s newfound fame is threatened. Wasson explores hypermasculinity and unhealthy intergenerational dynamics among men and boys as Lionel works through what it means to be a hero both on and off screen, and while people who knew his grandfather paint a picture that challenges his hero worship. The book’s initially slow pace later ramps up significantly and Lionel reflects on challenging issues that will spark recognition from many readers.

An introspective, character-driven look at masculinity and self-acceptance.