"The whole family joins the fun!"--Picture book recommendations

Last summer, I put together a presentation recommending books  for a group of parents with gender nonconforming/trans children. I reviewed and recommended eight picture books and thought I would post about them. Picture books can be enjoyed by all ages!

In Deeper Waters--"Tal would've thought it was a fairy tale if not for the sand in his collar, the water in his boots, and the ache of his body"

Title: In Deeper Waters

Author: F.T. Lukens


LGBTQ+ Representation: Main characters are queer


Content Warning: Violence, near-drownings


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Prince Tal has spent his life isolated from the rest of the kingdom in order to hide his magic, something that is seen as extremely dangerous (especially after what his grandfather did). On his coming-of-age boat trip, Tal saves Athlen, who mysteriously survives a dive off his ship. Tal can't stop thinking about Athlen: could he be the one who accepts Tal for who he is, magic and all?


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): I haven't blogged in months; I have read a lot of good books but just couldn't bring myself to write about any of them, until now. I enjoyed this story so much I thought it would be a great way to ease back into regular blogging. And I did it!

Ana on the Edge--"I don't want them to think girl, but I don't want them to think boy either"

Title: Ana on the Edge

Author: A.J. Sass


LGBTQ+ Representation: Main character is nonbinary, secondary characters are gay and transmasculine.


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Twelve-year-old Ana-Marie is a junior figure skating champion. Yet she does not feel comfortable when her new skating outfit has a skirt: she doesn’t feel girly. Ana meets Hayden, a transgender boy who assumes Ana is also a boy. Ana finds comfort in a boyish identity but isn’t sure it fits how she feels either. Will living her truth ruin her skating career?


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): What sticks with me a lot about this book is how super mature and responsible Ana is, especially for a twelve-year-old. She and her mother, who has sacrificed to help Ana become a successful skater, have a great relationship. 
    

The Greatest Superpower--"If she can stand up for her truth, I can stand up for mine . . . I hope."

Title: The Greatest Superpower

Author: Alex Sanchez


LGBTQ+ Representation: The main character's father is a transwoman. Supporting characters are gay and gender-fluid.


Content Warnings: Bullying and homophobia. Inferred child abuse. A past suicide attempt is mentioned.


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Jorge and his twin brother Cesar are shocked when their parents announce their divorce and are even more shocked when they find out the reason: their father has always felt like a woman and is now going to start living as a woman. Cesar vows to never speak to his father again, while Jorge struggles to accept his dad as Norma. Will Jorge's friends (and the cute new girl!) be able to accept Norma?


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): I was so excited to see a new book by Alex Sanchez that I bought this book immediately instead of shelving it (book seller perks). I am not disappointed by my purchase; the story is adorable. 

Be Dazzled--"Amazing and whole, the fragments of many moments joined together to create something entirely alive and real. Something incredible, out of nothing."

Title: Be Dazzled

Author: Ryan La Sala


LGBTQ+ Representation: two main characters are gay and lesbian and other LGBTQ+ identities are also represented


Content Warning: cruel parent


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Raffy is an extremely talented cosplayer who designs and builds intricate costumes. He hopes to win a top prize in the year's biggest cosplay competition, which could lead to sponsorships that would allow him to attend art school. However, he finds out that his ex-boyfriend, Luca, is working with another of their friends and has also entered the cosplay contest. But what goes wrong with their relationship? And can Raffy and Luca work together again?

First of all: I must apologize to the world because I have not posted a review on Reverie, La Sala's amazing debut book. I attended the book club meeting where we discussed the terrifying drag queen villainess and messed-up our OWN reveries would be, but then I never wrote a review! I must fix that as soon as possible because Ryan La Sala is my favorite author to follow on Twitter. Seriously, follow him--you won't be sorry. 

Now--prepare to Be Dazzled!

Only Mostly Devastated--"Sure, he hadn't done the one thin I wanted him to do most of all--declare his love for me publicly on the bleachers in a grand musical number--but that didn't mean I had to knock the baby steps, did it?"

Title: Only Mostly Devastated

Author: Sophie Gonzales

LGBTQ+ Representation: Gay and bi characters

Content Warnings: Death of a supporting character, homophobia, obnoxious dude-bro behaviors

What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Ollie and Will have a summer fling, but when Ollie enrolls in Will's high school that fall, he finds out that sweet, openly-queer Will is actually a quite obnoxious, closeted basketball star. Ollie tries to keep his attention on his music, new group of friends, and babysitting his cousins (his aunt has terminal cancer), but Will keeps showing up wherever Ollie is. Are they destined to be together, or will Ollie remain only mostly devastated?


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): The premise is similar to Grease and there's a "pink ladies"-type girl group but none of the plot aspects of Grease that really bother me; thank goodness Ollie does not end the book wearing leather, quipping "Tell me about it, stud."
  

Rainbow Book List 2021 announced!

Congratulations to the authors with books on the ALA's 2021 Rainbow Book list! Unfortunately, I haven't been able to blog much this year, so my list of "books I have read but haven't blogged about" is quite long. Click here to read the reviews I have written from this year's list.

2021 Rainbow Book List

Click here to read my reviews from this year's list.

Brave Face-- Seven memorable/relatable moments from Brave Face

Title: Brave Face

Author: Shaun David Hutchinson


LGBTQ+ Representation: Main character (narrator) is gay


Content Warning: Depression and graphically described suicide attempt


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): In this memoir, Shawn David Hutchinson describes his childhood and his battles with ADHD and depression. His suicide attempt is described in detail. 


What I think: Shawn David Hutchinson and I are the same age; we both graduated in 1996 and would have probably been friends in high school because we have a lot in common. Here are the top 10 from moments from Brave Face I thought were memorable and/or relatable, or made me think Hey, that was me in high school!, OOF, I feel that!, and/or OMG that is describes me today. So let's go on a journey of not only some of Hutchinson's memories but a few of my cringeworthy ones as well.

Quiver "I don't think my problem is with God. It's with the men who think they speak for Him and the women who obey those men without question."

Title: Quiver: a Novel

Author: Julia Watts


LGBTQ+ Representation: One of the main characters is queer and genderfluid. A supporting character is trans feminine.

Content Warning: Bigotry in the name of religion

What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Libby is growing up in a fundamental Christian family. As the oldest of six homeschooled siblings, she does chores and helps her mother during the day and participates in Bible study held by her father in the evenings. Queer and genderfluid Zo and her family have just moved into the house next door. Can (or should?) Libby and Zo be friends in spite of their differences?


What I think (in 250 words or fewer):  One of my favorite blogs, Love, Joy, and Feminism, is written by "Libby Anne," a former Christian fundamentalist from a Quiverfull family. I'm no longer religious myself but really enjoy reading stories and blogs about people leaving fundamentalism. I am very wary of any religion or lifestyle that adheres to very strict rules--how do they know that what they're doing is right, especially when others are left and hurt?

Quiver is told between the alternating voices of Libby and Zo. Libby has always followed the rules and believed her family's lifestyle is the only correct one, and Zo notes:

Surrender Your Sons--Recipe for this book: Camp plus Boy Erased plus The Most Dangerous Game with a dash of The Blue Lagoon. And just a pinch of Lord of the Flies and Clue. This post's title is much too long, isn't it?

Title: Surrender Your Sons

Author: Adam Sass


LGBTQ+ Representation: The book takes place at conversion camp, so all of the LGBTQ+ letters are represented, pretty much. The main character is gay.


Content Warnings: Violence, massive homophobia. Conversion therapy. Suicide/murder.


What it’s about: When Connor comes out to to his mother, he is kidnapped and finds himself at a place called "Nightlight Ministries," a conversion therapy camp where he must stay until he is "cured" of being gay. At first, Connor decides to play along so he could be sent home quickly. But then he discovers that the friendly town Reverend and other staff members are hiding sinister secrets. Will the campers be able to escape alive?

What I think: The following blog post is based on actual conversations I was having with my 11- and 13-year-olds while trying to write. I combined both children into one child, whom I will call C. I swear any arguing and teasing is completely (well, mostly) good-natured. Children may vary and my experiences are not to be considered normal or average. Any similarities to other children are entirely coincidental.

 

***

Scene: Dining room table, Friday evening. 

Me (typing away merrily): 

Reading this book immediately after reading Camp and writing about Boy Erased was a TRIP. I--

Child: What are you doing? I need to use the computer.

Me: What? You have your own computer. Why do you need mine?

C: I need to look at your laptop so I can look at the plans to build a house in Roblox. You wouldn't understand.

Cemetery Boys--"On the bright side, he had actually summoned a real-life spirit. On the not-so-bright side, he had summoned the wrong one."

Title: Cemetery Boys

Author: Aiden Thomas


LGBTQ+ Representation: Main character is trans and gay; supporting character is gay


Content Warning: Violence, unsupportive family members


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Transgender Yadriel wants to prove he is a real brujo, even though his family has not recognized his true gender. Along with his best friend Maritza, Yadriel performs his own quinces ritual and attempts to set the spirit of his murdered cousin free. However, Yadriel accidentally summons the spirit of (adorable!) Julian and is thrown into a murder mystery. Will Yadriel's family accept him as a true brujo, and will Julian's spirit find peace?


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): Cemetery Boys is a more light-hearted, less angsty read than I expected. Yadriel and Martiza are extremely adorable (and relatable) and Julian is so easy to fall for. 

Another Post in which I don't @ the authors: Books that just didn't do it for me

I read a lot of books, which means I have a huge pile of LGBTQ+-themed YA books that I've read but haven't blogged about. Some I was not impressed with; some I just could not finish; some just did not "spark joy" enough to make me want to discuss/review/write about them. 

As an attempt to whittle down my pile, here is my post about "Books that just didn't do it for me" (including links to more detailed reviews). Do not let any of my opinions stop you from reading these books! But feel free to commiserate if you also had some issues with them. 😁

Also, I take guest review submissions! Email me, send me a Facebook message, or Tweet me if you are interested. You'll find my contact information on the homepage to your right.

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I'm starting with a trilogy I really wanted to like:

Titles: The Folk of the Air Series (The Cruel Prince, The Wicked King, and The Queen of Nothing)

Camp-- "I don't mind the masc-only thing, but if you can't enjoy a drag queen, you're probably a soulless monster"

Title: Camp
    

Author: L.C. Rosen


LGBTQ+ Representation: Main characters are gay, and everything across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum is included


Content Warning: The f-word that rhymes with "bag it" is used as a pejorative

   
What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): In order to get adorable Hudson to fall in love with him, Randy makes himself over as Del, a masculine, short-haired jock. For a while, it seems that his plan is working, and Del and Hudson become the "it" couple at camp, even though Del is depressed to have ditched the annual musical for sports. But how long can Del keep up his facade, and will Hudson love Randy as much as he loves Del?


What I think: I was a Girl Scout Camp counselor for five summers, and I think working at Camp Outland (or its real-life counterpart) would be AWESOME. What a great place it would be! And a musical every year? My high school self would have been SO THERE. And my grown-up self would love to direct and watch a gender-bending, queer version of Bye Bye Birdie. So much fun! I was so asexual in high school and college that I know I would not have had the great summer romance, but the theatre would have been 😍😍😍 for me.

The Lost Book of the White--"I guess I assumed you came to taunt us and lecture us"

Title: The Lost Book of the White (Eldest Curses Book Two)

Authors: Wesley Chu and Cassandra Clare

LGBTQ+ Representation: Main characters are gay and bisexual 


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): An old enemy (and not-dead friend) returns to torment Alec and Magnus again, this time stabbing Magnus with a magical thorn, which, if not fixed in time, will make Magnus a servant to the demon Sammael. With the help of their friends, Alec and Magnus venture into hell to save the day. But can their warlock son, Max, survive an extended visit with his grandma without accidentally burning down the institute with his out-of-control magic?


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): I was looking forward to reading this Eldest Curses book even more than Red Scrolls because of the timeline in which it was set, which is after Mortal Instruments but before Dark Artifices. Alec and Magnus are new parents and are deliriously happy and kissy. And Max excitedly and accidentally sets fires with his cute, baby warlock magic.

Boy Erased--"I wish none of his had ever happened. Sometimes I thank God it did."

Title: Boy Erased: A Memoir

Author: Garrard Conley


LGBTQ+ Representation: Main character and several secondary characters are gay

Content Warning: Conversion therapy, suicidal thoughts, depression

What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Garrard is sexually assaulted and outed as gay to his conservative religious parents when he is in his freshman year of college. His parents send him to Love in Action, a now-defunct conversion "reparative" therapy center in order to "cure" Garrard of his "sin of same-sex attraction" so he would become heterosexual. Garrard's stay at Love in Action is extremely psychologically damaging.


What I think: This post has been in my drafts folder longer than anything I have ever written--I read Boy Erased over two years ago, around the time I first started blogging, and it affected me profoundly. The book--well, I am going to quote myself from Ziggy, Stardust & Me:

I used to be able to read about topics of sickness and child death, but having kids seems to have wired my brain differently; now I get upset to the point of panic attacks when reading or watching children suffering (It's embarrassing. During one memorable incident at a teacher in-service I left the room sobbing after watching a PSA about children getting injured in a meth lab explosion).

I realize that Conley is over 18 even during the events in the book, but I could not help but imagine my trans child in conversion therapy, being told that something is very wrong with him, and my heart just breaks for every single person who has had to undergo that.

Rick--"Maybe you're blooming now, but you're just not the kind of flower he was expecting"

Title: Rick

Author: Alex Gino


LGBTQ+ Representation: Asexual main character, Melissa from George, and a group of kids at the Rainbow Spectrum Club.


Content Warning: Junior high bullies.

What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Rick is excited about starting junior high and spending more time with his grandpa (a fellow Rogue Space fan! Who knew?) but is getting a bit tired of his best friend Jeff, a bully and a jerk. And also, why do people keep asking Rick about girls? Is it okay not to want to date anyone? Rick finds himself enjoying Rainbow Spectrum club, where kids of all genders and identities meet.

What I think (spoilers ahead): I was super psyched to read Rick; my love for George is not a secret. I knew Rick would not have Melissa as a main character, so I am thrilled to report that she is in the book more than I had expected. Yay!

I write about friendship breakups as subplots these two books, and again, I think it's a topic that should be explored more often in middle-grades books because friendships grow and change over the years, and sometimes, friends outgrow each other.

Why I reread old favorites, OR: Warm, cuddly, teddy bear books

Reading and writing has always been a source of comfort for me, but I have been struggling with writer's block for a while. ADHD and anxiety are to blame for my writer's block often when I'm taking classes, but I have been home and watching the news which keeps getting worse and worse. Black lives matter, and my heart breaks for everyone affected by police brutality. 

Comfort reads for me.

Like many prolific readers (especially librarians-turned-book-sellers-who-get-employee-discounts), I have a towering TBR pile. And like other bloggers (at least I hope like other bloggers!), I have a stack of books that I've read and haven't written about yet (over 10), but I open my laptop and stare at some posts in draft mode. I have highly recommended and re-shared a book about protesters; I wrote about a few relatively light-hearted books earlier in the quarantine; I reminisced about childhood reads; I updated some of my blog pages. Yet I still haven't gotten as much written as I planned.

Instead, I have been rereading books or scenes from books that I have read hundreds of times before.

I came across this Washington Post article about a month ago, "For a lot of book lovers, rereading old favorites is the only reading they can manage at the moment." I also broke down and subscribed to the Post, but if you did not, here are some passages that I relate to:

If you’re wondering why rereads are what you most want, the answer is simple: Your brain, much like the rest of you, is tired. As many experts, including coach and author Alexis Rockley, have recently explained, our cognitive energy is a finite resource, steadily being used up by every piece of “new abnormal” we have to manage. . . 

That loss of cognitive energy for someone like me, who loves reading above all things save carbohydrates, means that my mind doesn’t have its usual pep when confronted with a new book, a new world and new characters. This was initially upsetting, as there are piles of new books I want to read. My solution for now is to revisit some of my favorite past companions instead. . . .

 Aarya Marsden, an avid romance reader who also writes reviews for my site, Smart Bitches, Trashy Books, says that lately, she doesn’t have the energy to reread an entire book. To get around that problem, she is rereading her favorite scenes. “Ten minutes of comfort reading in the morning is enough to give me a happy buzz for the entire day,” she said. “It starts the day off on the right note and then I can read a new book at night.” . . .

There’s a sense of security that comes with a reread: You already know what’s going to happen, no spoiler alerts needed. That aspect appeals to Marsden. “There’s comfort in being able to predict and control your surroundings,” she said. “It’s a relief to sink into something that goes exactly to plan.” 

 The whole article, written by Sarah Wendell, of Smart Bitches, Trashy Books is amazing. Also, see "10 Reasons People Like To Reread Books, Because Nothing Beats That Old Familiar Feeling" "The Power of Rereading Your Favorite Books Right Now" and "Why We Reread in Times of Stress and Anxiety."

I could wax poetic about some of my favorite comfort reads, but probably you don't want to hear about all my cheesy romance novels packed tightly in my bookcase (if you haven't read Red, White, and Royal Blue, however, stop whatever you're doing and READ IT NOW).

My son's old teddy bear with two of my favorite books

Ziggy, Stardust & Me--"I wish. I wish with all my might we were up in the stars looking down on us, laughing."

Title: Ziggy, Stardust & Me

Author: James Brandon


LGBTQ+ Representation: Main character is gay and another is Two Spirit.


Content Warning: Graphic violence, physical and sexual assault, conversion therapy. Homophobia and racism.


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): In the summer of 1973, Jonathan lives with his alcoholic father. Believing that his attraction to boys is a dangerous mental illness that must be fixed, Jonathan endures aversion therapy.  Jonathan tries to avoid bullies and spends his time talking to his dead mother while listening to David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust. He feels alone, until he meets Web, a Two-Spirit Lakota boy. Can Jonathan trust the happiness and contentment he feels with Web?


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): I used to be able to read about topics of sickness and child death, but having kids seems to have wired my brain differently; now I get upset to the point of panic attacks when reading or watching children suffering (It's embarrassing. During one memorable incident at a teacher in-service I left the room sobbing after watching a PSA about children getting injured in a meth lab explosion).

Maybe He Just Likes You and Dear Sweet Pea--"Sometimes seeing something from a distance is all it takes to figure out what you should have seen all along"OR: The one where I reminisce about beloved and problematic content in some favorite childhood books

Titles: Maybe He Just Likes You and Dear Sweet Pea

Authors: Barbara Dee and Julie Murphy


LGBTQ+ Representation: In both books, the main character has a good friend who is implied to be gay. In Dear Sweet Pea, the main character's father comes out of the closet after divorce, and a female teacher is married to another woman.


Content Warning: Sexual harassment, bullying, and gas lighting in Maybe He Just Likes You.


What they're about (in 75 words each or fewer): 

Maybe He Just Likes You--The updated "Bully plot" from my childhood favorite 1980's books. Mila isn't sure how it started, but she knows that she is very uncomfortable with how the boys keep touching her without her consent. Are they flirting? Why won't they stop? Mila gains some self-confidence through her karate classes, but will she ever get an adult to take her concerns about the boys' behavior seriously? 

Dear Sweet Pea--The updated "Advice column plot" from my childhood favorite 1980's books. Patricia "Sweet Pea's" parents are divorcing, and her dad only moved one house away. In between the two houses lives Miss Flora Mae, the newspaper advice columnist. When Flora goes on a trip, she asks Sweet Pea to forward her mail to her, but then, Sweet Pea recognizes the handwriting on an advice letter, and thinks, hey, I could write a reply! Hijinks ensue.

Why I'm writing about these books: Ladies and gentlemen: these are the updated Bully and Advice Column plots found in so many of my childhood faves and after-school specials! Neither are *technically* LGBTQ+-enough for me to immediately want to write about them. Even combining them both in one post--that would be cheating and still not *quite* enough LGBTQ+ content.

So why am I reviewing them? Because in spite of the nostalgia-factor of the plots, neither of these books would have been the same if they had been written thirty years ago.

The Best at It--"Being different is what makes us fun, remember?"

Title: The Best at It

Author: Maulik Pancholy


LGBTQ+ Representation: Main character is questioning/gay


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Rahul has a great family (even if his dad's Bollywood Supply band and his mom's excitement over the International bazaar are overwhelming) and, along with his bestie Chelsea, is excited to start seventh grade. Rahul's beloved grandfather, Bhai, advises Rahul to find one thing and "be the best at it." Rahul works to find his "best," deals with growing anxiety, avoids the neighborhood bully, and wills himself NOT to stare too much at cute Justin.


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): I tried super hard to write in a professional voice about the merits of this book: its sensitive portrayals of mental illnesses, questioning sexuality, celebrating Indian culture in majority white small-town Indiana (where I spent my childhood), inter-generational relationships, dealing with middle school bullies, and the correlation of athletic success to high self esteem in youth.

See? I could be a reference librarian.