Follow us:
DR. BICKMORE'S YA WEDNESDAY
  • Weekly Posts
  • WEEKEND PICKS 2023
  • Monday Motivators 2023
  • Weekend Picks 2021
  • Contributors
  • Bickmore's Posts
  • Lesley Roessing's Posts
  • Weekend Picks 2020
  • Weekend Picks 2019
  • Weekend Picks old
  • 2021 UNLV online Summit
  • UNLV online Summit 2020
  • 2019 Summit on Teaching YA
  • 2018 Summit
  • Contact
  • About
  • WEEKEND PICKS 2023

Registration is open for the virtual Summit on the Research and Teaching of Young Adult Literature!  Plan on April 21, 2023, 8:30-5:30 CST.  

Don't worry, it is easy to find.  Just go to YouTube and search for Dr. Bickmore's YA Wednesday.

Register here!

Where is the L Word in LGTBQ YA Books? by Roy Jackson and Erinn Bentley

11/24/2021

1 Comment

 
Picture

​Roy Edward Jackson was a teacher and librarian with the Atlanta Public Schools for over twenty years. Currently, he is a graduate student and teacher with the Northeast Ohio Master of Fine Arts program at Youngstown State University studying creative writing. 

​
Erinn Bentley is a professor of English education at Columbus State University in Georgia and the co-editor of Teaching/Writing: The Journal of Writing Teacher Education.
Where is the L Word in LGTBQ YA Books? by Roy Jackson and Erinn Bentley
A curious, but not surprising, rise in challenging books in our schools has occurred recently. While most of these books are not mandatory reading in any class, isolated portions of these books are often deemed offensive by some concerned stakeholders who desire to have them removed from library shelves. It comes as no shock that many of these books are YA LGTBQ books. 

There is an ever pervasive misnomer that LGTBQ books are about sex, and not about identity. While some YA LGTBQ books, just like YA straight books, do contain an appropriate sexual exploration content, most titles center the story around identity and not any sexual act. But the muddling of identity and sexual acts by those who challenge these books is concerning as it may lead to erasing representation. Young readers need to not only see themselves represented in books, but all young readers need to read about people different from themselves to foster acceptance and understanding.

While the continued increase in YA LGTBQ published titles yearly is encouraging, there is a nuance that needs to be considered. Roughly 50% of all YA LGTBQ published books are centered around white, cis gendered, gay males. That number is concerning as the majority of YA LGTBQ titles seem to solely focus on one letter in the acronym of the community, along with one race. 

YA books published with a lesbian protagonist only account for approximately 25% of all YA LGTBQ titles. It begs the question; why the lack of diversity in race and gender in YA LGTBQ publishing? This could be attributed to the fact that the publishing industry workforce is comprised of almost 75% white, straight, cis gendered females. While this workforce may have led to a disproportionate focus on one letter of the LGTBQ community there is something to celebrate. In the last few years, a growing number of books that have a lesbian protagonist have not only included a much needed diversity in gender and race, but they have also transcended genre as well. In today’s post, we have focused on 6 noteworthy titles. ​
Picture
Picture
Radio Silence by Alice Osman centers on Frances, a high-achieving student in the United Kingdom obsessed with her academic success and Universe City, a science fiction podcast. She befriends Aled, a shy student, who also is the elusive creator of Universe City. When Aled asks Frances to illustrate his podcast, the two form a deep - platonic - relationship. Surrounded by other friends who are all struggling in a high-pressure education system, these characters discover that one’s true self is not defined by good grades, family expectations, or societal norms. 

Regarding LGBTQ representation, the five main characters identify as bisexual, lesbian, gay, pansexual, and demisexual. What is endearing about this novel is that it does not focus on a romantic relationship. Instead, it centers on a friendship between a boy and a girl who do not fall in love, but share a powerful connection. Regarding diversity, the characters are mixed race, White, and Korean. This may be one of the most diverse casts of characters in contemporary YA literature. 
​
Picture
Picture

Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust is a feminist re-telling of “Snow White.” Set in a dark, fairy-tale world, the novel is told from the alternating perspectives of Princess Lynet (Snow White) and Mina (Lynet’s stepmother). Mina’s heart is replaced with glass, making her wonder if she is capable of feeling love. Princess Lynet is made from snow, making her wonder if she can feel human. Enter missionary.lds.org/clothing ​Nadia, the young court surgeon, whose friendship with Lynet evolves into a romantic relationship. Some familiar plot points are woven together with fresh twists. Ultimately, this is not a tale, but a portrayal of strong women who refute their fates and save themselves and one another.

For anyone tired of damsels in distress, this novel is refreshing. For any girl who has been told her worth lies in her physical appearance or in being “delicate,” these characters are empowering. Regarding LGBTQ representation, the romance between Lynet and Nadia, though sweet, plays a minor role. Instead, the novel predominantly focuses on family relationships, whether those families are forged in blood, through magic, or are found.
​
Picture
Picture

Girl Mans Up by M.E. Girard portrays Pen, a lesbian teen in contemporary Canada. At home and at school, she is ridiculed for not looking or acting “like a girl.” Pen’s parents, who immigrated from Portugal, complicate her situation, as they hold traditional views of gender roles and constantly criticize her. Pen’s life changes when she becomes close with two classmates - Blake (her girlfriend) and Olivia (a platonic friend). Torn between her new relationships and loyalty to lifelong friends (who have been abusive), Pen bravely and fiercely fights to be understood, respected, and - ultimately - loved.

Regarding “L” representation, this novel squarely centers on a queer relationship and the struggles this teen faces due to her sexual orientation and presentation. Additionally, Pen is a first-generation immigrant. While Pen does experience some triumphs, much of the novel includes visceral descriptions of the verbal, emotional, psychological, and physical abuse she endures. It is by no means an easy read, but the characters are so real and raw, it is well worth spending time in their world. 

​
Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World by Ashley Herring Blake takes place during a tornado that destroys her  home, 12 year old Ivy only keeps one item when they seek safety, her sketchbook. But Ivy’s sketch book is more than just a place she draws. It is the place she holds her most private thoughts, and that includes her being a lesbian. When her sketchbook goes missing at the shelter, Ivy must face her sexual identity head on for fear of it getting out. Ivy’s story is universal, if the gender of just one character were to be changed it would read the same. All young adults have this fear of their innermost thoughts being public and because of this universal nature of the story makes this book accessible to all readers to see themselves and to see how much we are all alike. The “L” character in this story is one that is universal to all readers.
Picture
Picture
The Abyss Surrounds Us by Emily Skrutskie is set in a fantasy, dystopian world. Skrutskie’s protagonist, Cas, is a late teen who, along with her parents, trains genetically engineered sea monsters that protect their territory. Cas boards a luxury cruise ship with her giant sea monster who is engineered to protect vessels from unfriendly fire. However, a pirate ship attacks the cruise ship and Cas is taken hostage. Swift, a member of the pirate ship, is Cas’ main captor. Over time the two form a romance. Eventually Cas and Swift escape the pirates to Cas’ family’s home. What makes this novel special is the genre. To have a queer romance, particularly a lesbian romance, set in a fantasy fiction YA novel is rare. Both Cas and Swift are smart, physically strong, and adept at survival. The novel makes no exception to the fact that the young women are lesbians, rather portrays them as a universal love story set in a sci-fi universe where survival is paramount. The “L” is prominent in the novel, but never fully exudes that they are “other” rather that they are in a budding romance in a complicated world.
Picture
Picture
The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar is the story of Nishat, a Bangladeshi teen living in Ireland who comes out to her family while they attend an arranged wedding ceremony. Nishat is fully realized as a character and one who in her late teens is comfortable with her sexual identity. Her experiences are universal to many LGTBQ teens, but ones that straight teens will relate to. Nishat faces bullying, and that bullying comes at the hands of her secret crush, a crush that is reciprocated. The story of LGTBQ teens who face bullying at the hands of their romantic partner, who is not out, is one that is a common experience, but not always told in books. Jaigirdar does this well. She paints Nishat with broad but fine strokes that are universal and unique to characterization and experience. With Nishat, readers are shown a representation of a “L” character that is diverse in gender, race, and religion. Nishat is truly a unique and important character for all to read. 
Picture
Picture
Gay male protagonists account for approximately twice as many portrayals in YA LGTBQ published works than lesbian protagonists. The majority of these gay male protagonists in YA books are also white. While this is concerning, there is a positive increase in representation of lesbian protagonists in recent works. Not only do these protagonists depict a lesbian main character, they also show an increase in representation in gender as well as in race, religion and even genre. These six books are a small sampling of the increasing diversity within the LGTBQ community and their representations of young adult depictions in books. 
1 Comment
Advertising in No Parking Boards Chennai link
4/22/2022 11:55:09 pm

No Parking Boards Advertising Agency in Chennai. eumaxindia is a Leading Advertising Agency offer No Parking Boards Branding at Affordable rates in Chennai. Sun Board Printing & Manufacturer Service in Chennai, Flute Boards Price in Chennai, Flute Boards Manufacturer Dealers & Traders in Chennai

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Dr. Gretchen Rumohr
    Chief Curator
    Gretchen Rumohr is a professor of English and department chair at Aquinas College, where she teaches writing and language arts methods.   She is also a Co-Director of the UNLV Summit on the Research and Teaching of Young Adult Literature. She lives with her four girls and a five-pound Yorkshire Terrier in west Michigan.

    Dr. Steve Bickmore
    ​Creator and Curator

    Dr. Bickmore is a Professor of English Education at UNLV. He is a scholar of Young Adult Literature and past editor of The ALAN Review and a past president of ALAN. He is a available for speaking engagements at schools, conferences, book festivals, and parent organizations. More information can be found on the Contact page and the About page.

    Co-Edited Books

    Picture
    Meet
    Evangile Dufitumukiza!
    Evangile is a native of Kigali, Rwanda. He is a college student that Steve meet while working in Rwanda as a missionary. In fact, Evangile was one of the first people who translated his English into Kinyarwanda. 

    Steve recruited him to help promote Dr. Bickmore's YA Wednesday on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media while Steve is doing his mission work. 

    He helps Dr. Bickmore promote his academic books and sometimes send out emails in his behalf. 

    You will notice that while he speaks fluent English, it often does look like an "American" version of English. That is because it isn't. His English is heavily influence by British English and different versions of Eastern and Central African English that is prominent in his home country of Rwanda.

    Welcome Evangile into the YA Wednesday community as he learns about Young Adult Literature and all of the wild slang of American English vs the slang and language of the English he has mastered in his beautiful country of Rwanda.  

    While in Rwanda, Steve has learned that it is a poor English speaker who can only master one dialect and/or set of idioms in this complicated language.

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    June 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014

    Categories

    All
    Chris-lynch

    Blogs to Follow

    Ethical ELA
    nerdybookclub
    NCTE Blog
    yalsa.ala.org/blog/

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly