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obligatorilypretentious · 3 years ago

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queer classic book recs!!

Image description under the cut! Please tell me if I did something wrong and I will gladly change it!

The other recs will be in the reblog!

[Each slide excluding the title screen includes 3 photos relating to the book, largely alternative covers of each in a small grid format.]

Slide One: In the center is a box with interior text reading "13 lgbtq classics and 1 “modern” classic. Recs in the comments welcome!" The top left corner includes an image of a calligraphy quill. Underneath this is text that reads "Disclaimer! The beginning of this list is.. Very White, but don't worry it gets more diverse as the books get more recent!!" In the top right corner is a text box reading "Look up trigger warnings or I’ll steal your gender! … or give it back!!" under this is a picture of an open book displayed in the foreground and another stack of books in the background.

Slide Two: Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu.

1872

Lesbian/wlw but written by a man

vampires!

“Following a near-fatal carriage collision, the beautiful young Carmilla is taken in by the narrator Laura and her father.”

While this book plays into the stereotype of the “monteress, seductive lesbian,” it is one of the oldest and most famous classical texts depicting a lesbian relationship. Toxic AF.

Slide Three: The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

1890

not explicitly queer (subtext)

but gay (mlm) tho

“Enthralled by his own exquisite portrait, Dorian Gray exchanges his soul for eternal youth and beauty. Influenced by his friend Lord Henry Wotton, he is drawn into a corrupt double life, indulging his desires in secret while remaining a gentleman in the eyes of polite society. Only his portrait bears the traces of his decadence.”

This book contains Anti-semitism, Racism, Sexism and is honestly a product of its time. Oscar Wilde is certainly a character.

Slide Four: Orlando by Virginia Woolf

1928

sapphic/gender exploration

“The novel opens as Orlando, a young nobleman in Elizabeth's England, awaits a visit from the Queen and traces his experience with first love as England under James I lies locked in the embrace of the Great Frost.”

Main Character is racist and anti-Semitic. While her writing is incredibly important and impactful as a queer figure, she will always be white before she is queer.

Slide Five: The Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall

1928

lesbian/wlw

originally banned

“Stephen is an ideal child of aristocratic parents—a fencer, a horse rider, and a keen scholar. Stephen grows to be a war hero, a bestselling writer, and a loyal, protective lover. But Stephen is a woman, and her lovers are women. As her ambitions drive her, and society confines her, Stephen is forced into desperate actions.”

This book contains racism, use of the N-word, sexism, homophobia & lots of outdated ideas in general.

Slide Six: Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin

1956

gay/mlm

“In a 1950s Paris swarming with expatriates and characterized by dangerous liaisons and hidden violence, an American finds himself unable to repress his impulses, despite his determination to live the conventional life he envisions for himself. After meeting and proposing to a young woman, he falls into a lengthy affair with an Italian bartender and is confounded and tortured by his sexual identity as he oscillates between the two.”

OMG! A classic on this list in which I can't find any evidence of racism or antisemitism! /srs. Imagine that- it's almost like POC classical authors are important to teach about! /hj

Slide Seven: Maurice by E.M. Forster

1971

gay/mlm

fluffy, but homophobia exists in the story as well.

“Maurice is heartbroken over unrequited love, which opened his heart and mind to his own sexual identity. In order to be true to himself, he goes against the grain of society’s often unspoken rules of class, wealth, and politics.”

This book contains the use of the g slur. Please tell me if I missed something!

Slide Eight: HERmione by H.D.

1981

queer/sapphic woman author

poetry

so mf sad bro I mean look at that blurb

“An interior self-portrait of the poet H.D. (1886-1961) is what can best be described as a 'find', a posthumous treasure. ‘I am Hermione Gart, a failure' -she cried in her dementia, 'I am Her, Her, Her.”

To my knowledge, this book isn't problematic- please tell me if it is though!!

Slide Nine: Zami: A New Spelling of My Name by Audre Lorde

1982

lesbian/wlw

A staple of lesbian lit from before the peak of an activist’s career. Great read.

“From the author's vivid childhood memories in Harlem to her coming of age in the late 1950s, the nature of Audre Lorde's work is cyclical. It especially relates the linkage of women who have shaped her.”

Once again to my knowledge, this book isn't problematic

Slide Ten: The Color Purple by Alice Walker

1982

features queer women

has a movie adaptation!

“Separated as girls, sisters Celie and Nettie sustain their loyalty to and hope in each other across time, distance, and silence. Through a series of letters spanning twenty years, first from Celie to God, then the sisters to each other despite the unknown, the novel draws readers into its rich and memorable portrayals of Celie, Nettie, Shug Avery, and Sofia and their experience.”

Once again to my knowledge, this book isn't problematic

Slide Eleven: Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson

1985

lesbian/wlw

“This is the story of Jeanette, adopted and brought up by her mother as one of God's elect. Zealous and passionate, she seems destined for life as a missionary, but then she falls for one of her converts. At sixteen, Jeanette decides to leave the church, her home, and her family, for the young woman she loves. Innovative, punchy, and tender.”

Once again to my knowledge, this book isn't problematic- but warning, there are quite heavy themes!

Slide Twelve: Dykes to Watch Out For by Alison Bechdel

1986

lesbian/wlw

a classic comedy comic + a really good insight & look into lesbian culture

“Grin, giggle, and guffaw your way through this celebrated cartoonist's graphic commentary of contemporary lesbian life.”

Once again to my knowledge, this book isn't problematic*

*contains d-slur used by lesbians in a non-offensive way

Slide Thirteen: Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg

1993

lesbian/gender identity around lesbianism

“Woman or man? This internationally acclaimed novel looks at the world through the eyes of Jess Goldberg, a masculine girl growing up in the "Ozzie and Harriet" McCarthy era and coming out as a young butch lesbian in the pre-Stonewall gay drag bars of a blue-collar town. Stone Butch Blues traces a propulsive journey, powerfully evoking history and politics while portraying an extraordinary protagonist full of longing, vulnerability, and working-class grit.”

Once again to my knowledge, this book isn't problematic

Slide Fourteen: Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters

1998

lesbian/wlw

historical romance

“Nan King, an oyster girl, is captivated by the music hall phenomenon Kitty Butler, a male impersonator extraordinaire treading the boards in Canterbury. Through a friend at the box office, Nan manages to visit all her shows and finally meet her heroine. Soon after, she becomes Kitty's dresser, and the two head for the bright lights of Leicester Square where they begin a glittering career as music-hall stars in an all-singing and dancing double act. At the same time, behind closed doors, they admit their attraction to each other and their affair begins.”

Once again to my knowledge, this book isn't problematic

Slide Fifteen: Under the Udala Trees By Chinelo Okparanta

2015

lesbian/wlw

modern classic imo, look into the coexistence of native Nigerian culture & queerness

“Ijeoma comes of age as her nation does; born before independence, she is eleven when civil war breaks out in the young republic of Nigeria. Sent away to safety, she meets another displaced child, and they, star-crossed, fall in love. They are from different ethnic communities. They are also both girls. When their love is discovered, Ijeoma learns that she will have to hide this part of herself. But there is a cost to living inside a lie.”

Once again to my knowledge, this book isn't problematic

#queer books #lgbtq books #classic books #classic literature #lgbt books #book recommendation #classics #books #literature #poetry #lgbtq #queer #diverse books #diverse reads

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janeaddamspeace · 8 years ago

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Books Help Kids Understand What It's Like to Be a Refugee #JACBA Newsletter 10Feb2017

Books to Help Kids Understand What It's Like to Be a Refugee

Mama's Nightingale: A Story of Immigration and Separation by Edwidge Danticat, illustrated by Leslie Staub Danticat's celebration of storytelling and the bond between mother and child is an empowering one. Saya, whose mother is being detained, writes a story inspired by her mother's experience. When her father sends Saya's story to a newspaper, she learns firsthand that one voice, one story, can make a difference.

Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai Lai's bestselling Newbery Honor book, written in short free verse, powerfully captures the alienation felt by a child forced into a new and often unwelcoming world. As 10-year-old Ha tries to adjust to life in Alabama, where she is bullied by her peers and befriended by a teacher who has some understanding of her experiences back in Vietnam, readers can empathize with Ha and all of those who are considered "foreigners" in this story of strength and resilience.

The Red Pencil by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Shane W. Evans Children's literature powerhouse Andrea Davis Pinkney uses verse to tell Amira's tale of loss, hardship, and ultimately hope. Pinkney notably offers a detailed picture of Amira's rich home life and environment in Sudan before it is destroyed by war, and readers will celebrate when a silent Amira is offered the gift of literacy that reminds her that her voice matters and has enormous power.

A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park Salva Dut led a group of over 100 boys on a harrowing journey through danger, sickness, and starvation from war-torn South Sudan to a refugee camp in Kenya. He was then relocated to the United States, where he got a college degree and went on to found Water for South Sudan, an organization that provides deep water wells in South Sudan. The bestselling A Long Walk to Water, based on Mr. Dut's experience, has inspired children around the world to make a difference in their communities and beyond. Both Salva Dut and Linda Sue Park have delivered TED talks detailing their work, the power of diverse stories, and the ability of young people to create change in our world: Salva Dut, "I Kept Walking"; and Linda Sue Park, "Can a Children's Book Change the World?".

How I Became a Ghost by Tim Tingle The first in a trilogy, Tingle's novel tells the story of Isaac, a 10-year-old member of the Choctaw Nation who is forced from his home in what is now Mississippi and travels through the tragedies of the "Trail of Tears" with his family in 1830. In a review of this "ghost story," American Indians in Children's Literature notes that "Scary things do happen - this is a story about the forced relocation of a people, but it is more about the humanity of the people on that trail than it is about that forced relocation." Tingle offers a full-bodied portrait of an important piece of American history whose legacy lives on.

Bamboo People by Mitali Perkins Tu Reh, a Karenni boy, has witnessed the destruction of his family's home and bamboo fields by Burmese soldiers. Chiko is a Burmese boy who loves books and has no interest in combat. The boys' lives intersect when Chiko, forced to become a soldier, is injured and Tu Reh discovers him. Perkins's delicately told story of the enduring power of compassion is thoughtful and satisfying. A helpful Discussion and Activity Guide and Book Club Guide are available from the publisher.

Mama's Nightingale: A Story of Immigration and Separation written by Edwidge Danticat, illustrated by Leslie Staub 2016 Awardee

Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai 2012 Awardee

Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down by Andrea Davis Pinkney 2011 Awardee

Sojourner Truth's Step-Stomp Stride, by Andrea Davis Pinkney & Brian Pinkney 2010 Awardee

We March written and illustrated by Shane W. Evans 2013 Awardee

Lillian's Right to Vote: A Celebration of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Shane W. Evan 2016 Awardee

A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story by Linda Sue Park 2011 Awardee

When My Name Was Keoko written by Linda Sue Park 2003 Awardee

Crossing Bok Chitto: told in written form by nationally recognized Choctaw storyteller, Tim Tingle 2007 Awardee

Rickshaw Girl by Mitali Perkins 2008 Awardee

POETRY IN A TIME OF PROTEST By Edwidge Danticat

"Without community, there is no liberation," the poet and activist Audre Lorde wrote, nearly thirty-five years ago. In our rallying and marching, we rediscovered community in one another.

Mama's Nightingale: A Story of Immigration and Separation written by Edwidge Danticat, illustrated by Leslie Staub 2016 Awardee

Booklist Feature Article, Guest Speaker: Real Human Beings by Joseph Bruchac

Today, things are different-for YA literature and writing by and about Native Americans. My favorite reading these days-at the age of 74-is YA. True, there are not enough books truly reflecting indigenous reality. Racial prejudice and cultural stereotyping remain alive and well in the disunited states of America. I'm still asked by students what it was like "when Indians were alive." But the vitality and variety of YA writing is more exciting than ever before.

The Heart of a Chief written by Joseph Bruchac 1999 Awardee

Bruchac featured storyteller at annual Dawnlands Storyfest

Bruchac is perhaps best known for his bestselling "Keepers of the Earth: Native American Stories and Environmental Activities for Children" and other titles in the "Keepers" series, which integrate science and folklore in highly entertaining and interactive formats that make them ideal for classrooms and family libraries alike.

Joseph Bruchac was the featured storyteller at the annual Dawnlands Storyfest at the Mariposa Museum and World Culture Center in Peterborough. He was joined by his son Jesse Bruchac, a leading figure in indigenous efforts to preserve the Abenaki language and culture.

The Heart of a Chief written by Joseph Bruchac 1999 Awardee

20 Children's Books From Around The World To Read For Multicultural Children's Book Day

January 27, marks the fourth annual Multicultural Children's Book Day, a day-long celebration of reading diversely that focuses exclusively on global and multicultural children's books.

'Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl's Courage Changed Music' by Margarita Engle and Rafael Lopez

'Thunder Boy Jr.' by Sherman Alexie and Yuyi Morales

'Freedom in Congo Square' by Carole Boston Weatherford and R. Gregory Christie

'The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth, & Harlem's Greatest Bookstore' by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson and R. Gregory Christie

Silver People: Voices from the Panama Canal by Margarita Engle 2015 year Awardee

The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom, written by Margarita Engle 2009 Awardee

Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez, written by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Yuyi Morales 2004 Awardee

Birmingham, 1963 by Carole Boston Weatherford 2008 Awardee

The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth & Harlem's Greatest Bookstore by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie 2016 year Awardee

Film festival, discussions highlight Black History Month celebrations in Athens, GA

The national annual "African American Read-In," this year is dedicated to Bettye Stroud, a former public school media specialist and the author of several illustrated children's books that chronicle African American History.

Belle, the Last Mule at Gee's Bend written by Calvin Alexander Ramsey and Bettye Stroud 2012 Awardee

3 New Black History Month Reads for Kids

Lift Your Light a Little Higher: The Story of Stephen Bishop: Slave-Explorer, by Heather Hensen, illustrated by Bryan Collier Join Stephen Bishop, a slave in 1840, as he lights the way through the largest cave system in the world. Bishop served as tour guide in Kentucky's Mammoth Cave, where he found a measure of independence in the darkness.

The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, by Cynthia Levinson, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton Audrey was just 9 years old in 1963, during the civil rights protests in Birmingham, Ala., but that didn't stop her from standing up and speaking out against racial segregation. Learn how her confidence and bravery made a difference.

Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. written by Doreen Rappaport with artwork by Bryan Collier 2002 Awardee

We've Got a Job: The 1963 Birmingham Children's March written by Cynthia Levinson 2013 Awardee

We Shall Overcome: The Story of a Song written by Debbie Levy and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton 2014 Awardee

How the smallest, most abundant bacteria inspired a children's book series

Institute Professor Penny Chisholm teams up with author and illustrator Molly Bang to write environmental children's book series.

Chisholm partnered with her longtime friend, award winning children's book author and illustrator Molly Bang, to write a series of children's books explaining these fundamental environmental processes in an approachable way.

The series is meant to stand the test of time by explaining fundamental processes, but that doesn't stop Chisholm and Bang from briefly acknowledging humans' uncertain impact on the environment by touching on topics such as climate change and fossil fuels. Chisholm asks, "If you don't understand that the mass of plants come from carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and that there's a massive exchange of CO2, from photosynthesis and respiration, how can you understand the role of fossil fuels and climate change?"

The illustrations, hand-painted by Bang, are colorful and animated, but are also structurally and anatomically correct. Bang's parents were scientists, and she learns the science behind the illustrations from Chisholm.

When Sophie Gets Angry -- Really, Really Angry... written by Molly Bang 2000 Awardee

AUTHOR APPEARANCES

Library observes Black History Month

Black History Month will be observed in a series of free February programs and activities at main library and various branches of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.

Andrea Davis Pinkney, the author who lives in upstate New York, will appear at 10 a.m. Feb. 24 at the Austintown branch, at 1 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Newport branch and at 11 a.m. Feb. 25 at the main library.

Her program, for schoolchildren and adults, will feature audience participation, singing, show and tell and readings from her many books.

Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down by Andrea Davis Pinkney 2011 Awardee

Sojourner Truth's Step-Stomp Stride, by Andrea Davis Pinkney & Brian Pinkney 2010 Awardee

Bloomfield, Paterson talks to highlight black history

Two prominent authors seeking to improve race relations will speak at schools in Bloomfield and Paterson celebrating Black History Month next week.

Ann Bausum, author of "The March Against Fear," a National Geographic publication detailing a 1966 civil rights march across Mississippi spurred by the shooting of a black man by a white man, will speak along with Michael H. Cottman, author of a youth-oriented book detailing the history of a slave ship that sank off of the coast of Florida in 1700.

Marching to the Mountaintop: How Poverty, Labor Fights and Civil Rights Set the Stage for Martin Luther King Jr's Final Hours, written by Ann Bausum 2013 Awardee

With Courage and Cloth: Winning the Fight for a Woman's Right to Vote, by Ann Bausum 2005 Awardee

Tickets available for 2017 Arbuthnot Lecture featuring Jacqueline Woodson

The lecture, titled "What Gets Left Behind: Stories From The Great Migration," will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 1, 2017 in the W. W. Hootie Johnson Performance Hall, in the Darla Moore School of Business, at the University of South Carolina. Required tickets are free for the lecture.

Each Kindness written by Jacqueline Woodson 2013 Awardee

From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun written by Jacqueline Woodson 1996 Awardee

I Hadn't Meant to Tell You This written by Jacqueline Woodson 1995 Awardee

Choctaw Storyteller Tim Tingle At Mariposa Storytelling Festival

The 30th Mariposa Storytelling Festival will be celebrating its Grand Finale weekend, Mar. 10 – 12, at the Mariposa County High School. Sunday's "Brunch and Stories with the Tellers" will be at the Mariposa Senior Center.

His first children's book, Crossing Bok Chitto, garnered over twenty state and national awards, and was an Editor's Choice in the New York Times Book Review.

Crossing Bok Chitto: told in written form by nationally recognized Choctaw storyteller, Tim Tingle 2007 Awardee

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Since 1953, the Jane Addams Children's Book Award annually acknowledges books published in the U.S. during the previous year. Books commended by the Award address themes of topics that engage children in thinking about peace, justice, world community and/or equality of the sexes and all races. The books also must meet conventional standards of literacy and artistic excellence.

A national committee chooses winners and honor books for younger and older children.