Hey YA Readers!
I hope you’re enjoying a good book, wherever you are right now. I *wish* I were on a beach or at a park under a tree canopy. I…am not. But I am at least reading.
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Bookish Goods
Witches and Wizards Love Trans People Sticker by Abprallen
You know the book series where the creator outed herself as hating an entire group of people? That’s unfortunate because, as the sticker here says, witches and wizards love trans people–why wouldn’t they? Snag this beaut for $3.
New Releases
It’s time to talk paperbacks! Let’s take a look at two new books out in the handy portable format this week. As always, you may need to toggle your view once you click the link in order to see the paperback edition.
Queer Ducks (And Other Animals) by Eliot Schrefer, Jules Zuckerberg (Illustrated by)
This work of nonfiction is an awesome read. I did it on audio, but I know the print edition will be just as immersive and fun — and it includes illustrations.
Ever wondered about queerness in other animal species? Schrefer’s work is a look at animal behavior outside the heterosexual “norms” that have too often been placed upon them. Why do humans get to determine what is or isn’t normal sexual behavior, anyway? This book dives into all of these questions and more in a highly-readable, highly-quotable way.
Vinyl Moon by Mahogany L. Browne
Poetry, prose, and vignettes tell Angel’s story in Browne’s sophomore novel. Angel’s prior relationship with Darius felt like it was solid, but then the incident happened. No longer was Angel in California but in a new home in Brooklyn. She believes every one in her school knows what happens, but she finds tremendous solace — and healing — in the poetry and novels of powerful Black writers in her literature class.
For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.
YA Book News
We’re going to be light on YA book news, for all the reasons articulated in previous newsletters. So let’s start with something book-adjacent, teen-forward and go from there.
- A high school student who earned the distinction of valedictorian used his speech to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. This is especially potent in Iowa, where they’ve been under fire thanks to a right-wing governor and heavy presence of Moms for Liberty.
- The Summer I Turned Pretty 2 hits small screens next month, but here are some teaser images.
- I’ve never heard of Anita Cornell, a Black lesbian author and activist, but her recent obituary talks about her publication of a YA book for this audience. The obit is worth a read, and I’ll be tracking down this book, too.
- More Avatar novels are in the works for YA readers.
- The Hayao Miyazaki adaptation of How Do You Live? hits screens next month.
Before you go, I wanted to shout out another fun bookish good this week. I’m obsessed, deeply obsessed, with these tie dye sweatshirts and tees that emphasize the importance of trans books.
You can grab your shirt or sweatshirt or mug — that’s what I got — until Monday over on Bonfire, and bonus: the creator is queer, so your cash money goes right to them.
Thanks for hanging out. We’ll see you on Saturday with some awesome YA book deals — did y’all SEE the roundup last week?
Until then, happy reading!
–Kelly Jensen, currently devouring One’s Company by Ashley Hutson