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Comment on YA is Too Late: Gay Characters in Middle Grade Fiction by Monday June 17th, 2013 | There's a Book for That

Monday June 17th, 2013 | There's a Book for That — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 04:33:50 +0000

[…] the amazing Dickens Teacher Librarian Cheriee and perfect timing as I had just read this wonderul post by author Vicki VanSickle: YA is Too Late: Gay characters in Middle Grade Fiction. This book has so […]

Comment on YA is Too Late: Gay Characters in Middle Grade Fiction by vikkivansickle

vikkivansickle — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 17:56:52 +0000

Thanks, Renee! I will look into the James Howe books!

Comment on YA is Too Late: Gay Characters in Middle Grade Fiction by Renee Tracy

Renee Tracy — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 04:19:51 +0000

Great post and recommendations. Just wanted to add one more. Misfits by James Howe and its sequel Totally Joe.
YA Pride!

Comment on YA is Too Late: Gay Characters in Middle Grade Fiction by cheriee

cheriee — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 16:03:26 +0000

Thank you so much for these great recommendations. As an elementary school librarian I search for books with gay characters that are appropriate at this level. I love your books Vikki, and have them all! But you have missed one of my all time favorites: The Misfits by James Howe. This book and the other companion books, Totally Joe and Addie on the Inside are wonderful reads and a great way for kids this age to become friends with a gay character. They are always checked out. We also have a sets of both these books for lit circles. I noticed yesterday that they are looking very ragged so will have to replace them this summer. (I also have a lit circle set of Words that start with B) You can read about the Howe books at my blog here. http://dickenslibrary.blogspot.ca/2011/12/addie-on-inside-by-james-howe.html

Comment on YA is Too Late: Gay Characters in Middle Grade Fiction by vikkivansickle

vikkivansickle — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 14:14:57 +0000

Thank you so much- I’m so glad the post has generated some discussion. I’m hoping to expand my reading list, so that others who are struggling to find books that speak to kids about this confusing time in their lives will have some great books at their disposal!

Comment on YA is Too Late: Gay Characters in Middle Grade Fiction by vst3in

vst3in — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 13:07:36 +0000

Great, great post, and very insightful comments. Thanks for seeing this need and writing to it. I have some of the listed books in my library, but now maybe I can fill it with more! This is such a private, lonely, scary struggle for students to have. Literature is a way for them to feel all right on some level, and to find ways to cope.

Comment on YA is Too Late: Gay Characters in Middle Grade Fiction by vikkivansickle

vikkivansickle — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 11:55:38 +0000

Thanks Christa- I’m so proud of your YA Pride month- I tell everyone I know about it. You’re doing great things in the world

Comment on YA is Too Late: Gay Characters in Middle Grade Fiction by MaryWitzl

MaryWitzl — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 09:15:56 +0000

I completely agree. The kids are out there, and they always have been. At the very least, they need books to show them that they aren’t alone, and the earlier they get them, the better.

Comment on YA is Too Late: Gay Characters in Middle Grade Fiction by vikkivansickle

vikkivansickle — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:01:30 +0000

Hi Beth,

That is an excellent question, one I struggled with myself in Words That Start With B. I find that adults flinch at certain words but for some reason we are okay with scenes of bullying. I’m still trying to figure out why this is. Is it because words are easier to censor? Is it because using certain words is a lazy way to address a situation and a scene seems to take more thought and is therefore more acceptable? If you err on the side of caution, using placement words, kids will sniff you out and you may lose a moment to connect with the authentically, but you please the gatekeepers (parents, librarians, teachers, etc).

I don’t think there are simple answers to this, but know that you are not alone in asking this question! Good luck with your writing!

Comment on YA is Too Late: Gay Characters in Middle Grade Fiction by Beth Stilborn

Beth Stilborn — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 19:09:16 +0000

Great post! I’m so glad it came up in my google alert for middle grade fiction. I, too, write middle grade fiction, although I’m not-yet-published. I’ve just brought “Drama” home from the library, but haven’t had a chance to get into it. I’m currently reading “Better Nate Than Ever” and am stumbling somewhat over the words used to bully this kid who is perceived to be gay. I know it’s true to life, but I wonder how far a Middle Grade novel should go?