Coming out in Kid Lit

Today is National Coming Out Day, which got me thinking about LGBTQIA+ representation in YA and children’s literature. While there certainly can be more stories featuring realistic, nuanced representations of LGBTQIA+ characters (protagonists! friends! heroes! parents! etc!), I’m heartened by the books young readers do have today, to let them know that their feelings are valid and that they can be the main characters of their own stories.

Which means that, of course, I need to share some of my recent favorite reads featuring LGBTQIA+ characters.

Girl Mans Up by M-E Girard: a great look at sexual identity and gender identity, as Pen struggles against her family and friends’ ideas of what it means to be a young woman. I also loved the minor characters in this. #teamblake

Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit by Jaye Robin Brown: a twist on the coming out story, as very out Jo hides her sexual identity when she moves to a small, conservative town.

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee: bi, gay, and asexual representation in this super fun and touching historical adventure. I’m psyched for the sequel, which will follow Felicity!

George by Alex Gino: one of the sweetest and most sensitive coming out stories, about a young trans girl who just wants to be Charlotte in her school’s production of Charlotte’s Web.

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli: one of my new favorite contemporary YAs, about theatre and friendship and first love and figuring out who you are and how to share that with the world.

As I Descended by Robin Talley: in case you want some classically-inspired scares and intrigue with your representation, this one’s a female take on Macbeth, starring two young women at an elite boarding school.

We Are Okay by Nina LaCour: one of my new favorites full stop, this is a fantastic look at first love and friendship and loneliness and grief and reaching out to those we love.

If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo: a powerful and hopeful story about a young trans girl trying to make a new start for herself.

Other books you’d add to this list? Share ’em in the comments! In the meantime, remember–you are valid and you deserve love.

Friday Fifteen

Happy Friday, guys! I’m sorry I’ve been so MIA recently–things have gotten busy with work and life and Bodo the dog. One of the things that’s been keeping me busy has been a web design class, which is awesome and maybe means I’ll update this site sometime in the near future. In the meantime, here’s a look at what I’ve been reading, in fifteen words or fewer:

Chime by Franny Billingsley
Fun and creepy, with a great voice, while also being about gaslighting and abuse.

Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu
Interesting blend of contemporary MG and fantasy. Major middle school friendship feels.

Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit by Jaye Robin Brown
Sweet and touching story of family, religion, and coming out. Also manages to subvert expectations.

Links Galore

Lots of links I’ve been saving:

• Query critiques, signed books, Skype visits and more for Hurricane Harvey relief.
• An awesome post on Mary Sues and the pressure we put on female characters.
• The witty, wise, and whimsical E.B. White.
• On addiction and library services.
• As if Porter Square Books wasn’t already awesome enough, now they’re inviting you to a bookstore sleepover.
• A real plaque for a fictional person.
• Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these librarians from their patrons.
• How Harry Potter changed publishing.
• Revising the summer reading list.
• And speaking of summer reading lists, check out Lin-Manuel Miranda’s.
• Cultural appropriation is never appropriate.
• The miraculous act of reading.
• Take a literary road trip across the United States.
• Getting objective and creative with your revision.
• From one of my dearest friends, thoughts on growing up with Harry Potter.
• Twenty-five easy steps to be a contemporary writer.
• Margaret Atwood and Junot Diaz on dystopian societies and the contemporary landscape.
• Reason #482 why you should adopt a pet: to name it something inspired from literature.
• Love and lemonade.
• The calendar of book launch marketing.

Friday Fifteen

Happy Friday, guys! It’s been a week of travel, good friends, good food, eclipses, and books. Looking forward to a relaxing weekend at home, and of course more books. Let’s get the weekend rolling with a few fifteen-word (or fewer) book reviews.

Flying Lessons and Other Stories, edited by Ellen Oh 
Lovely and heartbreaking and genuine collection of middle grade stories featuring diverse voices and authors.

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
A powerful and disquieting story about one girl’s struggled to survive Stalin’s Gulag.

P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han
I’m fully Team John Ambrose McClaren. Sorry, Peter, you’re not good enough for Lara Jean!

Mental Health, Hogwarts Houses, The Correct Pronunciation of Gif, and Other Strong Opinions

Obviously I’m a big fan of podcasting, so when the lovely people at Candlewick Press reached out to me about their podcast, Candlewick Press Presents, I was beyond excited. I had a fantastic conversation with the Candlewick team about writing, my time as a Candlewick intern, why I love social media, why I’m jealous of how good Walt is at titles, and more. (This didn’t even include the pre-recording conversation about which Candlewick team members would be in which Hogwarts houses, a topic we all take very seriously.)

You can hear my interview on iTunes and Stitcher, and make sure to check out the previous episodes, as well. They include interviews of amazing writers and illustrators like Aaron Becker, creator of gorgeous wordless picture books like Journey, and Lesléa Newman, author of the classic Heather Has Two Mommies. Can you hear my fangirling?

Thanks to the Candlewick team for including me in such a great project. Can’t wait to hear the rest of Candlewick Press Presents, season 1!

Links Galore

Lots of links I’ve been saving:

• The YA book community should always prioritize young adults.
• The first Harry Potter covers around the world.
• I’d also like to go to a wizarding pub.
• Setting an artistic intention.
• Upping the game on commuter reading.
• Fictional bookstores are almost as awesome as real bookstores.
• Blueprinting your first pages.
• A hilarious glimpse into the writing process.
• I will read whatever Miyazaki recommends.
• Fascinating look at the history of The Joy Luck Club’s movie adaptation.
• Swanky school summer reading.
• As if I didn’t already have way too many podcasts to catch up on.
• Helpful info on fair use, permissions, and what you can quote in your own writing.
• I was just talking about first-page anxiety with a friend.
• Be patient with yourself.
• And keep going.
• Even when you don’t feel inspired.
• A fun character Q&A.
• Great tips for researching literary agents.
• Keeping your real life safe when you have an online persona.
• Outlining for non-outliners.
• Real teens don’t live in YA novels.

Friday Fifteen

Happy Friday, guys! This week has mostly been me hacking and sneezing and coughing, and walking around the house telling Bodo the Dog, “Bodo, I’m sick. I’m so sick,” and getting barely any sympathy from him. (He just get confused about why I’m not running around the house with him, squeaky toy in hand.)

But fortunately it’s Friday, which means a weekend of taking it easy. It also means book reviews in fifteen words or fewer!

All the Truth That’s in Me by Julie Berry
Not at all what I expected but in a good way. Berry’s writing is masterful.

Counting Thyme by Melanie Conklin
Sensitive and touching portrayal of childhood cancer, family dynamics, new friends, and change. Love!

Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel
Also not what I expected but awesome–sad and literary, combining text and art beautifully.

Friday Fifteen

Happy Friday, everybody! I’m spending some time in an old project today, and trying not to melt in the heat because Boston suddenly realized that spring is almost over so it better hurry up with this warm weather. Let’s get the weekend started with some book reviews in fifteen words or fewer.

Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead
Beautiful take on friendship and first crushes and loss and hope, with Stead’s gorgeous writing.

Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary “Jacky” Faber, Ship’s Boy by L.A. Meyer
Fun and historically interesting, but for girl-on-a-ship, Charlotte Doyle still gets my vote.

The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness by Sy Montgomery
More an exploration into people who love octopuses. Not as scientific as I’d hoped for.

Links Galore

Lots of  links I’ve been saving:

• On Buffy the Vampire Slayer turning 20 and the Scooby Gang fanfic
• Changing your story’s core question to boost your writing.
• Or maybe try these other tricks to help you move forward when your story’s stuck.
• Quitting is the only thing that makes you a failure.
• I have major card catalog love.
• I also have major love for these reasons why adults read YA.
• These Velveteen Rabbit illustrations are so gorgeous and evocative.
• Beyond excited for this Little Women adaptation (yay Masterpiece!).
• If you’re querying, some interesting stats and helpful tips.
• Helpful advice for attending conferences while dealing with a chronic illness.
• The secret world of celebrity ghostwriters.
• Querying cheat sheet.
• YES MORE MISS FISHER!
• Supporting authors even when you can’t afford every new book you want to buy.
• Being a professional vs. being an amateur.

Motivation Monday

I’m getting myself back on the blogging train after a couple weeks of off-line activity (marathon, NESCBWI, life with a dog), so today feels like a great time to share this fantastic comic by Debbie Ridpath Ohi:

It’s really easy to focus on all the scary “what ifs” and “you can’ts” and so on, but for today, let’s focus on what we can do. And then do the same tomorrow.

(PS–Debbie regularly posts writing inspiration illustration, so make sure to check out the rest of her work.)