Here and Queer

Starred review from May 15, 2022
A queer creator writes the book she wishes she'd had as a teen. Combining humor, compassion, and common sense, this book will be an anchor of safety and support for queer girls. Divided into three parts--"Coming Out," "Doing It," and "Finding Your Community"--the book provides guidance and advice while acknowledging that life experiences vary. Part 1 addresses this head-on as it discusses how the fluidity of gender and the nuances of the coming-out process mean that labels, pronouns, and self-identification may change--and this is totally valid. Part 2 offers a straightforward, informative discussion of intimacy, safe sexual practices, consent, and what "counts" as sex; laudably, the book reminds readers that no can be said and intimated in many ways and that safe sex encompasses emotional health, not just physical. The last section provides advice for meeting other LGBTQ+ individuals and groups while acknowledging that popular representations of queer spaces--TV, movies, etc.--aren't always made by queer people. The text is the real star of the show, but the digital illustrations should be commended for adding the right pop of color and visual energy to the book. Illustrated characters have a mix of body types, abilities, skin tones, and hair textures, and the colorful designs will remind older queer and allied readers of Peter Max's psychedelic warmth. A book that should be read, shared, and treasured. Pure queer joy! (glossary, bibliography, support networks) (Nonfiction. 14-18)

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Starred review from June 20, 2022
Offering comprehensive and easily digestible information about “our culture, relationships, and history,” Ellis and four contributors successfully relay intersectionally aware and trans-inclusive advice via this validating guide to queer adolescence. In a tone that evokes a casual chat with queer elders or a sleepover with friends, three sections—”Coming Out,” “Doing It,” and “Finding Your Community”—trace the good, the bad, and the ugly around matters of LGBTQ identities and terminology, dating and romance, consent and safe sex, advocacy and history, and making friends. Portraying people of varying abilities, body types, gender expressions, and skin tones, Sheridan’s vibrant illustrations combine a 1980s cartoon flair with diagrams, doodles, and fashion cutouts. Reminiscent of late-1990s zines, this queer The Care and Keeping of You analog will help LGBTQ youth—and people experiencing a second puberty—to start building a life of queer joy. Back matter includes thinking points, glossary, further reading, and resources for support. Ages 14–up.

August 1, 2022

Gr 9 Up-In this delightful illustrated "guide to life," Ellis and a group of smart and diverse queer contributors have created a truly inclusive primer on some of the key questions youth might have on coming out, sexual intimacy, finding community, self-expression, history, and advocacy. While geared towards girls, nonbinary voices are shared as well, and gender-diverse readers are acknowledged and welcomed; any curious young person who picks up this book up will find themselves included and engaged. Especially effective are the contributors' essays on snippets from their own lives and journeys; these emphasize the unique experiences and lenses that comprise the queer community, rather than flattening expansive lives with a singular narrative. Appropriate and direct descriptions of sexual acts make this text best suited to a high school collection. Illustrations are stylized, bold, and colorful, and feature all types of diversity. VERDICT A timely, inclusive, and necessary purchase for any library serving teenagers.-Mallory Weber

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