Queens Kings and ACE LGBTQ Readers Advisory Tricia
Queens, Kings, and ACE: LGBTQ+ Reader’s Advisory Tricia Smith St. Petersburg Library System Chris Brackett Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library
What the Letters Mean L: Lesbian - A woman whose primary sexual orientation is toward people of the same gender G: Gay - A sexual orientation toward people of the same gender. Generally used to describe men B: Bisexual - A person whose primary sexual and affectional orientation is toward people of the same and other genders, or towards people regardless of their gender T: Transgender - a wide range of identities and experiences of people whose gender identity and/or expression differs from conventional expectations based on their assigned sex at birth Q: Queer - This can include, but is not limited to, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex and asexual people. Can also be used as an umbrella term like LGBT, as in "the queer community. “ I: Intersex - Having biological characteristics of both male and female sexes A: Asexual - A sexual orientation generally characterized by not feeling sexual attraction or a desire for partnered sexuality https: //lgbt. ucsf. edu/glossary-terms
Why It Matters Six of the Top 11 Challenged Books of 2018 were challenged simply for containing LGBT content • George • A Day in the • Life of Marlon Bundo • • • Drama This Day in June Two Boys Kissing Captain Underpants and the Sensational Saga of Sir Stinks-A-Lot http: //www. ala. org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top 10
Reader’s Advisory Finding the right book for the right person at the right time.
How Do I Know What To Recommend? • Review Sites (Kirkus, Goodreads) • Google Search (Results = Lists from Goodreads, Epic Reads, B&N, etc) • Look at award winners (Stonewall, Lambda Literary) • Talk to fellow staff members and customers • LGBT specific blogs and interest groups
Award Winners STONEWALL BOOK AWARDS • From the ALA GLBT Roundtable group • Winners are honored for exceptional merit relating to the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender experience by publication year • Awards for all ages • Mike Morgan and Larry Romans Children's and Young Adult Literature Award http: //www. ala. org/rt/glbtrt/award/stonewall
Award Winners LAMBDA LITERARY AWARDS • Identifies and honors the best lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender books in their year of publication • Awarded by category • Can search previous winners https: //www. lambdaliterary. org/awards/
Websites YA Pride • Website and blog dedicated to everything LGBTQIA+ in YA. • Resource that provides a list of widely available books that have LGBTQIA+ protagonists. • Not a comprehensive list • Not a list of our recommendations. (“Some of the books we’ve included have problematic content, and are not titles that we recommend. ”) http: //www. yapride. org/
Websites • For teens (queer or not), librarians, teachers, booksellers, people with teens in their lives and for anyone interested in YA books with GLBTQ characters and themes. • What books are already out there? What's new? Also offers a chance for readers to post reviews of the GLBTQ YA books and to read each other's reviews. http: //www. leewind. org/
Websites • Celebrates young adult books about all kinds of diversity, from race to sexual orientation to gender identity and disability • Goal is to bring attention to books and authors that might fall outside the mainstream, and to bring the margin to the center • Last updated in 2015 www. diversityinya. com
Websites • Young Adult literature with significant LGBTQIAP+ content published between 2000 and 2017 • Created in part with support from the Carnegie/Whitney Grant from the American Library Association and the GLBT-RT resources committee • Best Of Lists & Links to Resources https: //queerbooksforteens. com/
Own Voices • “Own voices” means that if you are writing a main character who is part of a marginalized group, you are part of that marginalized group. • Began as a twitter hashtag Negative Positive • When seeking out diverse books, • Nobody is under any obligation to we should be primarily looking for disclose any part of their identity. diverse authors, and the best • Safety and privacy are essential. people to represent a marginalized • If you have information about an group are those who experience author’s identity that isn’t public, that marginalization don’t label their books #ownvoices without the author’s express permission.
High School Titles
Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli • • Gay More mainstream Popular movie adaptation Sequel – “Leah on the Offbeat” Summary: Sixteen-year-old, not-so-openly-gay Simon Spier is blackmailed into playing wingman for his classmate or else his sexual identity--and that of his pen pal--will be revealed.
Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth • Lesbian • Conversion therapy • Movie version Summary: In the early 1990 s, when gay teenager Cameron Post rebels against her conservative Montana ranch town and her family decides she needs to change her ways, she is sent to a gay conversion therapy center.
Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky • Gay Male • Banned frequently, so you know it’s good! • Great movie with direction & screenplay from the author Summary: A coming of age novel told in a series of letters reveals the life of Charlie, a shy freshman travelling through the uncharted territory of high school including first dates, family dramas, new friends, sex, drugs, and the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Annie on My Mind by Nancy Garden • Lesbian • Modern Classic Summary: The story of two teenage girls whose friendship blossoms into love and who, despite pressures from family and school that threaten their relationship, promise to be true to each other and their feelings.
Stonewall: Breaking Out in the Fight for Gay Rights by Ann Bausum • Non-Fiction Summary: Details the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York City’s Greenwich Village. Police raids on gay bars happened regularly during this time, but the raid on the Stonewall in June of 1969 triggered the gay rights movement in the United States.
My Most Excellent Year: A Novel of Love, Mary Poppins, and Fenway Park by Steve Kluger • Gay Male • Told in alternating journal entries/ emails/ IMs/ etc Summary: Best friends and unofficial brothers T. C. and Augie think they’ve got the world figured out. But that all changes when both friends fall in love for the first time. Enter Alé. She's pretty, sassy, and on her way to Harvard. T. C. falls hard, but Alé‚ is playing hard to get. Meanwhile, Augie realizes that he's got a crush on a boy. It's not so clear to him, but to his family and friends, it's totally obvious!
Openly Straight by Bill Koenigsberg • Gay Male • Fun twist on the coming out story • Sequel – Honestly Ben Summary: Rafe is a gay teenager from Boulder, Colorado who’s been out since 8 th grade. While it's an important part of who he is, all Rafe really wants is to just be a regular guy. When he transfers to an all-boys' boarding school in New England, he decides to keep his sexuality a secret -- not so much going back in the closet as starting over with a clean slate. But things don’t go as smoothly as planned.
Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit by Jaye Robin Brown • Lesbian • Not a coming out story • Religion in a positive way Summary: Although she’s been out for years, when Joanna’s dad remarries and decides to move them from Atlanta to the more conservative Rome, Georgia, he asks her to do the impossible: to lie low for the rest of her senior year. And Jo reluctantly agrees. Although it is (mostly) much easier for Jo to fit in as a straight girl, things get complicated when she meets Mary Carlson.
Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan • Gay Male • Alternative world where gay is not weird • Not focused on coming out Summary: This is the story of Paul, a sophomore at a high school like no other: The cheerleaders ride Harleys, the homecoming queen is a drag queen named Infinite Darlene who is also the star quarterback, and the gay-straight alliance was formed to help the straight kids learn how to dance. When Paul meets Noah, he thinks he’s found the one his heart is made for. Until he blows it and must win him back.
Girl Mans Up by M-E Girard • Lesbian • Gritty & realistic • Lambda Literary Award Winner Summary: All Pen wants is to be the kind of girl she’s always been. So why does everyone have a problem with it? They think the way she looks and acts means she’s trying to be a boy—that she should quit trying to be something she’s not. Old-world parents, disintegrating friendships, and strong feelings for other girls drive Pen to see the truth —that in order to be who she truly wants to be, she’ll have to man up.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz • Gay Male • Multiple Award Winner • Audiobook narrated by Lin Manuel Miranda Summary: Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship. It is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be.
Ask a Queer Chick: A Guide to Sex, Love, and Life for Girls Who Dig Girls By Lindsay King-Miller • Non-Fiction • Lesbian, gay, bi, and queer women Summary: Ask a Queer Chick is a guide to sex, love, and life for lesbian, gay, bi, and queer women. Based on the longrunning and popular advice column for The Hairpin, Ask a Queer Chick cuts through all of the bizarre conditioning imparted by parents, romantic comedies, and The L Word to help queer readers and their straight/cis friends navigate this changing world.
I’ll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson • • Gay Male Sibling Relationship Alternating points of view Stonewall Honor Book Summary: At first, Jude and her twin brother Noah are inseparable. Years later, they are barely speaking. Something has happened to change the twins in different yet equally devastating ways. The early years are Noah’s to tell; the later years are Jude’s. But they each have only half the story, and if they can only find their way back to one another, they’ll have a chance to remake their world.
Little and Lion by Brandy Colbert • Bi Female • Mental Health • Stonewall Award Winner Summary: When Suzette comes home to L. A. from her boarding school in New England, she finds herself falling for the same girl her stepbrother, Lionel, is in love with. Lionel has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and when he spirals out of control, Suzette is forced to confront her past mistakes and find a way to help him.
The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzie Lee • • Bi Male Historical(ish) Adventure/fantasy Sequel - The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy Summary: As Monty embarks on his grand tour of Europe with his sister and best friend, his quests for pleasure and vice are in danger of coming to an end as his father expects him to take over the family’s estate upon his return. When one of Monty’s reckless decisions turns their trip into a harrowing manhunt, it calls into question everything he knows.
Our Own Private Universe by Robin Talley • Bi/Female • Coming of age Summary: Fifteen-year-old Aki knows she's bisexual—even if, until now, it's mostly been in the hypothetical sense. Aki has dated only guys so far, but when she meets Christa on a church youth-group trip to a small Mexican town for the summer, it seems her theory is prime for the testing. It's going to be a summer of testing theories—and the result may just be love.
You Know Me Well by Nina Lacour & David Levithan • Gay Male & Lesbian • Told in alternating points of view Summary: Mark and Kate have sat next to each other for an entire year, but have never spoken. That is, until Kate spots Mark miles away from home, out in the city for a wild, unexpected night. When Kate and Mark meet up, little do they know how important they will become to each other -- and how, in a very short time, they will know each other better than any of the people who are supposed to know them more.
The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater • Stonewall Book Award Winner • YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction Summary: If it weren’t for the 57 bus, Sasha and Richard never would have met. One afternoon on the bus ride home from school, a single reckless act left Sasha severely burned, and Richard charged with two hate crimes and facing life imprisonment. The case garnered international attention, thrusting both teenagers into the spotlight.
More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera • • Gay Male Near future Sci-Fi Mental Health Summary: Recovering from a suicide attempt following his father’s successful suicide, Aaron Soto is slowly remembering what happiness might feel. When his girlfriend leaves for a couple of weeks, Aaron begins hanging out with a new guy, Thomas. Aaron can't deny the happiness Thomas brings, despite the tensions their friendship is stirring with his girlfriend and friends. Aaron considers turning to the Leteo Institute's revolutionary memoryalteration procedure to straighten himself out, even if it means forgetting who he truly is.
All Out: The No-Longer-Secret Stories of Queer Teens throughout the Ages edited by Saundra Mitchell • • • Across the spectrum Compilation from YA authors Re-telling of common fairy tales Historical fiction Multicultural Summary: Seventeen young adult authors across the queer spectrum have come together to create a collection of beautifully written diverse historical fiction for teens. From a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood set in wartorn 1870 s Mexico featuring a transgender soldier, to two girls falling in love while mourning the death of Kurt Cobain, All Out tells a diverse range of stories across cultures, time periods and identities.
Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller • Gay Male • Historical Fiction • Homage to the Iliad Summary: Patroclus has been exiled to the court of King Peleus and his son Achilles takes the shamed prince as his friend, and as they grow into young men their bond blossoms into something deeper. Then word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped. Torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus journeys with Achilles to Troy, little knowing that the years that follow will test everything they hold dear.
Let's Talk About Love by Claire Kann • Asexual Female • Biromantic Summary: Alice is done with dating after her girlfriend ended things when Alice confessed she's asexual. But then Alice meets Takumi and she can’t stop thinking about him or the rom comgrade romance feels she did not ask for. Alice has to decide if she’s willing to risk their friendship for a love that might not be reciprocated―or understood.
The Pride Guide: A Guide to Sexual and Social Health for LGBTQ Youth by Jo Langford • Non-Fiction • Across the Spectrum Summary: Sex education materials meant to explain important basics to kids are too-often not written with an empathic understanding of what those basics are. This is particularly obvious regarding books that include LGBTQ identities. Even when they do hit the mark, many have a limited scope and don't take into account the practical realities of developing sexuality.
If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo • Transgender woman • Own Voices • Stonewall Book Award Winner Summary: Amanda Hardy is the new girl in school and she’s keeping a secret. When she meets Grant, Amanda can’t help but start to let him into her life. She finds herself wanting to share everything about herself with Grant, but is terrified that he won’t be able to see past the truth. Because the secret that Amanda’s been keeping is that at her old school, she used to be Andrew. Will the truth cost Amanda her new life, and her new love?
None of the Above by I. W. Gregorio • Intersex • Not Own Voices • Publishers Weekly starred review Summary: Kristin Lattimer is homecoming queen, a champion hurdler with a full scholarship to college and she’s madly in love with her boyfriend. However, a visit to the doctor reveals the truth: Kristin is intersex. Dealing with her body is difficult enough, but when her diagnosis is leaked to the whole school, Kristin’s entire identity is thrown into question. As her world unravels, can she come to terms with her new self?
Middle Grade Titles
Princess Ever After by Katie O'Neill • Female • Fairy Tale/ Adventure • Friendship Summary: When the heroic princess Amira rescues the kind-hearted princess Sadie from her tower prison, neither expects to find a true friend in the bargain. Yet as they adventure across the kingdom, they discover that they bring out the very best in the other person.
Better Nate Than Ever by Tim Federle • Male • Broadway Musicals • First in a series Summary: Nate Foster has big dreams. His whole life, he’s wanted to star in a Broadway show. With his best friend Libby’s help, Nate plans a daring overnight escape to New York. There’s an open casting call for E. T. : The Musical, and Nate knows this could be the difference between small-town blues and big -time stardom.
George by Alex Gino • Transgender female • Stonewall Award Winner • Lambda Literary Award Winner Summary: When people look at George, they think they see a boy. But she knows she's not a boy. She knows she's a girl. George thinks she'll have to keep this a secret forever. Then her teacher announces that their class play is going to be Charlotte's Web. George really wants to play Charlotte, but the teacher says she can't even try out for the part because she's a boy. With the help of her best friend, George comes up with a plan. Not just so she can be Charlotte -- but so everyone can know who she is, once and for all.
The Witch Boy by Molly Ostertag • Gender non-conforming male • Graphic Novel • Fantasy Summary: In thirteen-year-old Aster's family, the girls are raised to be witches and the boys grow up to be shapeshifters. Anyone who crosses those lines is exiled. Unfortunately for Aster, he still hasn't shifted and he's still fascinated by witchery. When a mysterious danger threatens the other boys, Aster knows he can help as a witch, but it will take the encouragement of a new friend to convince Aster to try practicing his skills. And it will require even more courage to save his family and truly be himself.
Hurricane Child by Kheryn Callender • Lesbian • Fantasy • Stonewall Winner 2019 Summary: Being born during a hurricane is unlucky, and twelveyear-old Caroline has had her share of bad luck. But, When a new student named Kalinda arrives, Caroline's luck begins to turn around. Kalinda, becomes Caroline's first and only friend -- and the person for whom Caroline has begun to develop a crush. Now, Caroline must find the strength to confront her feelings for Kalinda, brave the spirit stalking her through the islands, and face the reason her mother abandoned her.
Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Hammer of Thor by Rick Riordan • • Fantasy Part of a series Stonewall Award Winner Genderfluid character Summary: Thor's hammer is missing again, but this time the hammer isn't just lost, it has fallen into enemy hands. If Magnus Chase and his friends can't retrieve the hammer quickly, Ragnarok will begin and the Nine Worlds will burn. Unfortunately, the only person who can broker a deal for the hammer's return is the gods' worst enemy, Loki.
Best Man by Richard Peck • Gay male • Coming of Age • Family Summary: Newbery Medalist Richard Peck tells a story of small-town life, gay marriage, and everyday heroes in this novel for fans of Gary Schmidt and Jack Gantos.
Things To Remember • When book talking in the stacks, make sure the book is on the shelf • Make suggestions, not recommendations • Don’t give up • Judgement free zone • Don’t make assumptions
TODAY’S PRESENTORS Tricia Smith, Librarian phone: 727 -892 -5268 email: plsmith@stpete. org Chris Brackett, Librarian phone: 813 -273 -3652 email: brackettc@HCFLGov. net
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