Encore!
Written by Miles Toriko Burks
Illustrated by Miles Toriko Burks
Published by HarperAlley
Senior year is in full swing, and Clay’s determined to have a good year filled with friends, theater dreams, and newfound confidence. But when his ex–best friend, Aron, suddenly reappears in his life—and his theater class—it throws a wrench in all of Clay’s plans. Annoyingly, the two are paired up during an improv exercise, and being vulnerable together onstage swirls up all sorts of old, complicated feelings. Even more annoyingly, Aron is acting like there’s nothing weird or confusing about being back in each other’s orbits again. Which is ironic, since Aron was the one who ghosted Clay in the first place.
As their class assignment continues and they spend more and more time together, Clay isn’t sure he can keep his old feelings buried. But can he trust Aron again, after everything they’ve been through?
Primary ISBN: 9780063282469
Publication Date: June 2026
Available As: Hardcover, Paperback
Young Adult, Graphic Novel, Age 13 or older
Community Represented: Filipino/Filipino American, Japanese/Japanese American
Themes: Arts, Coming of Age, Cross-Group Dating, Cross-Group Friendship, Discrimination: Gender and Sexual, Format: Graphic Novel, Genre: Romance, Identity: Body Image, Identity: Exploration, LGBTQIA+, Own Voices/Lived Experience
Setting: United States
Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Unknown Arrival
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
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