-
Coming Out Through Reading
I came out to myself the summer in between my freshman and sophomore years of high school and began coming out to my friends and family the following fall. Before that, however, I felt lost and confused. I did not really find myself attracted to anybody of any sex, but I knew that I was not like the other guys I was encountering in my classes and in the halls. During my freshman year, I remember reading The Epic of Gilgamesh and Siddhartha — both books that are largely centered on male friendships. These relationships fascinated me, and I could not help but to see them as queer — even before I…
-
They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
Title: They Both Die at the End Author: Adam Silvera Original Publication Date: 2017 Original Publisher: Harper Teen Queer Representation: 1 gay and 1 bisexual protagonist Page Length: 384 How would you spend your last 24 hours? Memorable Quote: “Maybe it’s better to have gotten it right and been happy for one day instead of living a lifetime of wrongs.” Review: Nobody knows how Death-Cast gets its information, but they do know that it is always right. If Death-Cast calls you shortly after midnight, one thing is certain: some time in the next twenty-four hours you are going to die. The caller from Death-Cast does not tell you when or how, but you can be…
-
Parrotfish by Ellen Wittlinger
Title: Parrotfish Author: Ellen Wittlinger Original Publication Date: 2007 Original Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers Queer Representation: 1 Transmale protagonist Page Length: 287 One of the first QYA novels with a transgender protagonist. Memorable Quote: “People changed lots of other personal things all the time. They dyed their hair and dieted themselves to near death … Why was gender the one sacred thing we weren’t supposed to change? Who made that rule?” REVIEW: When Angela Katz-McNair came out as a lesbian, her parents and friends barely batted an eye. However when Angela comes out as transgender and asks to be called Grady from now on, everyone seems to have more trouble. Grady’s mother cannot…
-
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
Title: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda Author: Becky Albertalli Original Publication Date: 2015 Original Publisher: Balzer +Bray Queer Representation: 1 teenage gay protagonist, 1 unknown gay character, 2 gay minor characters Page Length: 303 Simon is a lovable and witty character that we can all relate to, and his story is the first queer YA novel to be made into a major motion picture Memorable Quote: “Why is straight the default? Everyone should have to declare one way or another, and it shouldn’t be this big awkward thing whether you’re straight, gay, bi, or whatever. I’m just saying.” Review: Imagine being a gay teenager dealing with life in the closet. Imagine that the only person who knows…
