The Insiders

By Mark Oshiro

A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year * An ALA Rainbow Book List Top 10 Title for Young Readers

Three kids who don’t belong. A room that shouldn’t exist. A year that will change everything.

Perfect for fans of Rebecca Stead and Meg Medina, this debut middle grade novel from award-winning author Mark Oshiro is a hopeful and heartfelt coming-of-age story for anyone who’s ever felt like they didn’t fit in.

San Francisco and Orangevale may be in the same state, but for Héctor Muñoz, they might as well be a million miles apart. Back home, being gay didn’t mean feeling different. At Héctor’s new school, he couldn’t feel more alone.

Most days, Héctor just wishes he could disappear. And he does. Right into the janitor’s closet. (Yes, he sees the irony.) But one day, when the door closes behind him, Héctor discovers he’s stumbled into a room that shouldn’t be possible. A room that connects him with two new friends from different corners of the country—and opens the door to a life-changing year full of friendship, adventure, and just a little bit of magic.

“Sometimes hilarious, sometimes devastating, but always full of heart, The Insiders carves out a space for us all to be our true selves.” —Kwame Mbalia, New York Times bestselling author of Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Sep 21, 2021
• ISBN: 9780063008120

Mark Oshiro

Mark Oshiro is the award-winning author of the young adult books Anger Is a Gift (Schneider Family Book Award) and Each of Us a Desert as well as their middle grade debut, The Insiders. They are also the coauthor (with Rick Riordan) of the #1 New York Times bestselling novel The Sun and the Star. When not writing, they are trying to pet every dog in the world. Visit them online at markoshiro.com.

Reviews for The Insiders

[framberg_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

While Oshiro's lack of subtlety can be a little much for this adult reader, the earnestness of his characters and inclusivity of his message are ideal for middle grade readers. My only wish is that the book somehow acknowledged its debt to the Harry Potter series' Room of Requirement - a device which The Insiders employs in a way that triumphs over that series' transphobic author.

[jennybeast · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

contemporary. Héctor has moved from San Francisco to Orangevale, CA, and is being bullied for his sexuality and personality -- escapes to a magical room. Truly one of those books that you open and fall into -- appropriate, considering the magic door/room thing, but still true. Héctor is a wonderful character, with a splendid and loving family. The way the kids support each other in the room is also excellent, although I deeply wish that the school adults had been less terrible and that Héctor had had other resources easily available to him. I wish that for all LGBTQIA+ kids, and for any kids who are struggling with bullies.

[oldandnewbooksmell · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Trigger Warnings: bullying, homophobic assault, homophobic slur (not directly said but referenced), forced outingHéctor Muñoz just moved from San Francisco to Orangevale. The cities may be in the same state of California but they couldn’t be farther apart in similarities. Back in San Francisco, being gay didn’t make you different, that’s just who you are, but at Héctor’s new school, he couldn’t feel more alone.After encountering Mike, the school bully, Héctor wishes he could just disappear. Soon, he stumbles upon a janitor’s closet. But one day, after closing the door behind him, the small closet with a spider is transformed into a room that connects him with two new friends from different corners of the US. The room creates a safe space for the trio, but also aids them in what they need help with the most.Mark Oshiro had a little bit of everyone in this book and that was such a nice thing to see. The main character is gay and hispanic, there’s biracial rep, nonbinary rep, and lesbian rep.Oshiro even showed how hard it is to keep friendships after moving away (though I didn’t agree with Héctor saying he was “ghosted’ by his old friends… he admitted himself to not really trying either?). Though, I really did not like Ms. Heath. Was she really that blind to what was happening? She basically ignored Héctor when he tried to tell her what was happening. I found it a little hard that no adult ever saw the way Mike was treating everyone. I did appreciate how Héctor’s family tried to help and support him but not push him to talk about it. His abuela was a pretty awesome lady!Overall, I feel like The Insiders is an excellent read for all age groups (middle grade, young adult, adults). It gives a little bit of an insight into the struggles of Héctor and his friends and shows the readers how to be a better ally to the LGBTQ+ community. Even as an adult, I would love a room that can stop/bend time around while also providing all the comfort I could possibly need!