My friend from college sent an email asking for coming out resources for middle schoolers. This was my reply: "Books. When I was thirteen, fourteen, fifteen--before I claimed queer, before I had kissed--I found a book list of YA novels with LGBT characters. I liked the books on this list because the stories felt real, no dragons or vampires or serial killers, and the characters had more depth than babysitters and blonde twin sisters. Those coming out stories for me were not just about coming out as gay, but about beginning to name yourself, your identity, your people, your path. I found the list on the internet, a newish thing when I was thirteen, probably a yahoo search for YA novels. I don't think I searched LGBT, wouldn't have known to put those letters together yet, but because the internet was so new and uncluttered, I happened across it. I haven't been able to find this list from my youth again, but when I google "LGBT YA novels" how awesome to see lists upon lists. Even a "10 Best New YA Books That Explore Sexuality for 2015." There were so many YA books written in the last year with LGBT characters that there can be a best ten? Amazing. I think the first identity I claimed was that of "reader." Before I could read the words, my family tells me, I would pack a bag with picture books and carry it into the yard. Sit on a stump and turn the pages. Content. For all of my childhood, my home away from home was the library in town. My name marks the slip of so many library due date slips, often again and again, not because I needed more time to read them, but because I read all that interested me and then returned to my favorites. Roberta, the librarian, would ask me for lists of books I wanted and I took the job seriously. So when I found the LGBT list, I wasn't shy about writing down the titles that were missing from our library's shelves (most, if not all). Roberta, as she had always done, ordered any she could through interloan, and as she had funds available would purchase books from my list to add to the library's collection. My reading now is more sporadic. I need the right book to hold my attention through the distractions of my son, the internet, chores, work. But sometimes he nurses peacefully and I can open a book in my other hand, my thoughts quieting, and then a chapter is finished, my son asleep in my arms. I lay him down in his crib and can return for another chapter, can steal just a little of that precious nap time for myself, this first identity--before queer, before career, before wife, and mother. To be a reader. This morning, the page held my attention even as he wiggled in my arms and poked at my eye, in a place between play and sleep that we all like to stretch out in sometimes, especially on a snowy Saturday morning. His eyes still open, I lay him down in the crib with his wolfie. He didn't sleep, but he didn't complain. I read, sometimes the same sentence a few times, as I listened to him kick at the covers, move around. A little while later I hear him quietly flipping the pages of a favorite board book. I don't know that 'reader' will dominate his identity like it did mine. There is so much else that interests him these days--dogs, tractors, other people's smartphones, pulling his sox off... But I love sharing this moment now of reading alone together.
As I was on the internet making my recommendation list for you, I realized that my library has a really impressive list of YA LGBT books. (Thanks Roberta!) Some I have yet to read, but now want to check out soon: the miseducation of cameron post, down to the bone, keeping you a secret... Some of the titles I recall from that first list are: annie on my mind, deliver us from evie, and the perks of being a wallflower... I wish I could remember more. A couple books I read and liked in more recent years are: the house you pass on the way, and saints of augustine. Also, awkward, and skim, both graphic novels. And I found this list which seems like a good one. What are some of the books you recommend and/or teach with you students? How's that going? What are you reading these days? I just started shotgun lovesongs. No gays in it, but the author and setting are from northern Wisconsin. You know what is hard to find? Books with gay mom characters. Jodi Picoult wrote one that they have at our library (sing you home) but it looks cheesy and I kind of prefer queer books written by queers. Oscar's awake now, so I'm gonna send this before it doesn't get sent at all... xoxox!
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AuthorsMagdalen Dale and Kaite Sweval grew up a layer apart, overlapping and paralleling. Belonging to the shores of Lake Superior and yet not quite belonging. Laughing and dreaming on the bench outside the ferry booth as Mag passed the time and Kaite chose her time. Left to explore as soon as they could. And then as adults returned home, perhaps to their surprise. But glad to have each other... ‘cause we know there is strength in the differences between us and comfort where we overlap. Archives
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