This Book Is Gay (Reader's Advisory)
THIS BOOK IS GAY by Juno Dawson was challenged in Wasilla, Alaska after a 10-year-old kid pulled it from the lower shelves in the juvenile nonfiction section of the public library. His mother was mortified by the sexually explicit slang and cartoon illustrations and initiated a request for reconsideration for the book to be moved to the adult section of the library. Anchorage Daily News (2015) reported, “About 15 or 20 people came out to a reconsideration committee meeting last Thursday but were turned away by city officials who said the meeting wasn't public and a small conference room couldn't hold them all. ‘They literally locked the door on us,’ said Christina Hancey, one of the parents at the meeting.” This case is interesting because the public seemed to have little understanding of the reconsideration policies of the library and felt that they were being excluded from the process. The article also states that “Campbell filed a formal ‘reconsideration’ request with library director Kathy ‘KJ’ Martin-Albright to move the book, but Albright found the book should stay. She didn't return numerous calls for comment this week.” The article seems to imply that the sole decision rested with the library director rather than a clearly defined committee. The concerned parents concluded, “If anything, this experience has taught them that they can't trust their library, that they can't trust their public schools.” The decision was then appealed and addressed by a committee.
This case highlights the urgent importance of adopting a clear selection and reconsideration policy as well as clearly communicating that policy to all stakeholders. As Brock (2019, pp. 180) writes, “...it’s incredibly important that you are proactive in preparing for book challenges; they will come.” According to the ALA selection and reconsideration policy toolkit (2018), “The policy should be approved by the library’s governing board or other policy-making body and disseminated widely for understanding by all stakeholders.” Not only does the policy need to be clear and updated, it needs to be transparent and accessible to the library’s staff and patrons so that all challenges will be addressed with consistency and impartiality, fostering trust between the library and the community.
Brock (2019, pp. 169) defines “selecting” as “a positive and inclusive action. Books, movies, audios, and other library materials are purchased because they have something positive to contribute to patrons and students.” In the case of Juno Dawson’s book, the value of such a handbook for young LGBTQ readers cannot be overstated. The author herself weighed in on the controversy in the Anchorage Daily News (2015): "’The people who probably aren't speaking up are the scared, young LGBT+ people who are very clearly hearing from all this that there is something shameful about them, something that needs to be censored,’ he wrote in his email. ‘The goal of the book is to make young LGBT+ people feel less isolated and alone. I would imagine that in Alaska there are numerous young people who keenly feel that solitude.’” (Note: The reason for the male pronouns in this quote is that Juno Dawson is a trans woman, formerly James Dawson, who transitioned in late 2015.) Dawson also stated, "I love librarians with all my heart and I trust they will find an appropriate shelf to stock This Book Is Gay where younger readers can't get to it, but those who desperately need it can.” A book like Dawson’s can and will save lives. It is up to librarians to ensure that their patrons’ intellectual freedom is defended and upheld through clear selection policies and transparency.
This case highlights the urgent importance of adopting a clear selection and reconsideration policy as well as clearly communicating that policy to all stakeholders. As Brock (2019, pp. 180) writes, “...it’s incredibly important that you are proactive in preparing for book challenges; they will come.” According to the ALA selection and reconsideration policy toolkit (2018), “The policy should be approved by the library’s governing board or other policy-making body and disseminated widely for understanding by all stakeholders.” Not only does the policy need to be clear and updated, it needs to be transparent and accessible to the library’s staff and patrons so that all challenges will be addressed with consistency and impartiality, fostering trust between the library and the community.
Brock (2019, pp. 169) defines “selecting” as “a positive and inclusive action. Books, movies, audios, and other library materials are purchased because they have something positive to contribute to patrons and students.” In the case of Juno Dawson’s book, the value of such a handbook for young LGBTQ readers cannot be overstated. The author herself weighed in on the controversy in the Anchorage Daily News (2015): "’The people who probably aren't speaking up are the scared, young LGBT+ people who are very clearly hearing from all this that there is something shameful about them, something that needs to be censored,’ he wrote in his email. ‘The goal of the book is to make young LGBT+ people feel less isolated and alone. I would imagine that in Alaska there are numerous young people who keenly feel that solitude.’” (Note: The reason for the male pronouns in this quote is that Juno Dawson is a trans woman, formerly James Dawson, who transitioned in late 2015.) Dawson also stated, "I love librarians with all my heart and I trust they will find an appropriate shelf to stock This Book Is Gay where younger readers can't get to it, but those who desperately need it can.” A book like Dawson’s can and will save lives. It is up to librarians to ensure that their patrons’ intellectual freedom is defended and upheld through clear selection policies and transparency.
Synopsis
The book description was difficult to write, simply because there were so many superlative descriptors I wanted to use. Necessary. Ambitious. Hilarious. Life-changing. Exceedingly relevant. The diversity of perspectives, collected through surveys from over 300 international young people, allows readers to understand that there are many different ways to be LGBTQ and that, ultimately, they must decide for themselves who they are and what they want from life. With such a staggering breadth of information, it’s astonishing that the book is so darn fun to read.Excerpt
It was also difficult to select just one quote. I wanted to choose an excerpt that showcased the author’s quirky, clever voice. There were many options, but the phrase “what if there were a whole bunch of people who’d been through it all before to mentor you through this funny old patch?” seemed to get to the heart of the book’s mission. The book guides the reader through a host of difficult and complicated topics like a funny friend and knowledgeable mentor. The outrageous slang keeps the reader laughing, and the tips on how to come out, by themselves, are pure gold.Book Reviews:
“Dawson covers a lot of ground in his book. He writes about sexual thoughts and feelings, wondering about sexuality, labels and how they can change, history, slang, scientific theories, biological differences, stereotypes, subcultures, fear, heteronormative values, institutional homophobia and transphobia, paranoia, the history of HIV/AIDS, bullying, discrimination, dating violence, sexual abuse, bullying, depression, and suicide. WHEW, right?” School Library Journal“Speaking with candor, humor, and enthusiasm, Dawson addresses topics from coming out to sexually transmitted infections to sex apps. With irreverent chapter titles like ‘Stereotypes Are Poo’ and a chatty narrative voice, the tone is largely upbeat, though the author also touches on ‘some MEGA-SAD FACE topics’ like discrimination.” Kirkus Reviews
MORE QUEER BOOKS!
Reverie by Ryan La Sala
Described by Kirkus Reviews as “joyously, riotously queer,” Reverie is the gay fantasy novel you’ve been waiting for. A strange dark magic is transforming fantasies into physical form, and Kane and his team of queer friends must unravel the mystery before it destroys reality itself. The novel’s drag queen villain is deliciously diabolical, dressed to the nines, and eminantly stannable. For readers looking for LGBTQ stories that aren’t focused on coming out, bullying, or suicide, this imaginative romp is the Sailor Moon transformation of your dreams.
Fun Home by Alison Bechdel
This graphic novel memoir traces the troubled relationship between Alison Bechdel and her eccentric father, a meticulous restorationist and funeral home director. Bechdel crafts an intimate portrait of family, grief, and humor with layers of literary allusion. A smart and personal account of one woman’s journey to understanding her family dynamic and her own sexual orientation.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
If you’re looking for a gorgeous and authentic LGBTQ coming-of-age novel, this is a must read. Two best friends in El Paso, TX explore their complicated affections for each other while grappling with family secrets and their own place in the universe. The role of the parents in the novel is especially endearing, and each character experiences significant growth as they all wrestle with their commitment to truth, love, and each other. Winner of multiple awards including the Pura Belpré Award for affirming and celebrating the Latino cultural experience.
Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe
I chose a second graphic novel memoir because this title by Maia Kobabe is a uniquely accessible window into the life of a nonbinary, asexual individual. Using the pronouns, e/em/eir, Kobabe invites the reader to understand eir experience by describing what it was like to face adolescence as a gender queer person. Folks who find themselves in the Q section of the LGBTQ acronym will find comfort in knowing that they are not alone. For those who struggle with understanding queer gender identities, reading this candid personal account may help them develop greater empathy and awareness.
Garrett Pruessner
Described by Kirkus Reviews as “joyously, riotously queer,” Reverie is the gay fantasy novel you’ve been waiting for. A strange dark magic is transforming fantasies into physical form, and Kane and his team of queer friends must unravel the mystery before it destroys reality itself. The novel’s drag queen villain is deliciously diabolical, dressed to the nines, and eminantly stannable. For readers looking for LGBTQ stories that aren’t focused on coming out, bullying, or suicide, this imaginative romp is the Sailor Moon transformation of your dreams.
Fun Home by Alison Bechdel
This graphic novel memoir traces the troubled relationship between Alison Bechdel and her eccentric father, a meticulous restorationist and funeral home director. Bechdel crafts an intimate portrait of family, grief, and humor with layers of literary allusion. A smart and personal account of one woman’s journey to understanding her family dynamic and her own sexual orientation.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
If you’re looking for a gorgeous and authentic LGBTQ coming-of-age novel, this is a must read. Two best friends in El Paso, TX explore their complicated affections for each other while grappling with family secrets and their own place in the universe. The role of the parents in the novel is especially endearing, and each character experiences significant growth as they all wrestle with their commitment to truth, love, and each other. Winner of multiple awards including the Pura Belpré Award for affirming and celebrating the Latino cultural experience.
Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe
I chose a second graphic novel memoir because this title by Maia Kobabe is a uniquely accessible window into the life of a nonbinary, asexual individual. Using the pronouns, e/em/eir, Kobabe invites the reader to understand eir experience by describing what it was like to face adolescence as a gender queer person. Folks who find themselves in the Q section of the LGBTQ acronym will find comfort in knowing that they are not alone. For those who struggle with understanding queer gender identities, reading this candid personal account may help them develop greater empathy and awareness.
Garrett Pruessner
References:
American Library Association. (2018). Why do I need a policy? Selection & reconsideration policy toolkit for public, school, & academic libraries. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/tools/challengesupport/selectionpolicytoolkit/why
Bechdel, A. (2007). Fun home. Mariner Books.
Brock, R. (2019). Young adult literature in action. Libraries Unlimited.
Dawson, J. (2015). This book is gay. Sourcebooks Fire.
Hollander, Z. (2015, November). “'This book is gay': Wasilla library mulls future of LGBT sex-ed book.” Anchorage Daily News. https://www.adn.com/mat-su/article/wasilla-library-weighs-removal-gay-sex-ed-book-juvenile-shelves/2015/11/25/
Kobabe, M. (2019). Gender queer. Oni Press.
La Sala, R. (2019). Reverie. Sourcebooks Fire.
McCutcheon, S. (2020). Textured paper watercolor paint rainbow background. [Photograph]. Unsplash. https://unsplash.com/photos/Ur_NzyKfCo4
Saenz, B.A. (2014). Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the universe. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.
Comments
Post a Comment