All Out--The No-Longer-Secret Stories of Queer Teens throughout the Ages

January 15, 2018
A historical-fiction anthology shines the spotlight on queer teens, from as far back as the 1300s up to the turn of the 21st century.Two boys who fall for each other while assisting competing magicians, an asexual roller skater who navigates a crush, and a transgender Robin Hood on the run from a female Sheriff of Nottingham are only a hint of what readers can expect to find in these stories from 17 authors for teens. The vast majority come to life through sumptuous language, plentiful historical detail, and satisfying endings. Most stories acknowledge--and sometimes directly deal with--the hardships of being queer in these settings, but that's not the focus here. Instead, the collection centers on adventure, first love, and self-discovery. Nearly every tale ends with a sense of hope, even triumph. Although the casts are somewhat ethnically diverse, about half the stories take place in the 1900s, and most are set in the United States, which may leave readers wishing for more scope. The stories, both realistic and fantastical, primarily feature lesbian and gay teens, although transgender and asexual characters also make appearances. Author's notes follow some stories to provide background and further insights. Readers searching for positive, nuanced, and authentic queer representation--or just a darn good selection of stories--need look no further than this superb collection. (Short stories/historical fiction. 14-18)

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February 1, 2018

Gr 9 Up-From witch trials to Y2K, this short story anthology tells fictional tales of LGBTQ teens throughout history. Though most entries are realistic, there are a few magical tales based on legends scattered throughout. The diversity is refreshing: it's not just white history being told and there is a deaf character fighting alongside Robin Hood. However, the queerness trends toward lesbian and gay teens. There are a few asexual characters, showing a variety of people on the ace spectrum, and a few trans boys, but no trans girls or nonbinary characters. The short stories are well written, as can be expected from the well-known contributors such as Anne-Marie McLemore and Shaun David Hutchinson. One standout piece is "And They Don't Kiss at the End" by Nilah Magruder, which tells Dee's story as a black, roller disco-loving teen coming to terms with her asexuality. Malinda Lo's "New Year" really captures the slow discovery by young Lily on Lunar New Year of an underground of queer folk like her. Fans who are loyal to these authors will be pleased by the entries. Some teen voices feel more authentic than others, and at times, the more modern settings felt a bit heavy-handed. VERDICT Give to those teens who don't read full novels but still long for LGBTQ representation. A strong choice for most collections.-Kathryn Kania, Pelham Public Library, NH

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from April 16, 2018
In this noteworthy collection, Mitchell collects short stories from 17 authors, including Malinda Lo, Alex Sanchez, Mackenzi Lee, and Shaun David Hutchison, and presents queer characters across a variety of historical settings. Anna-Marie McLemore sets the tone for the collection with "Roja," a merging of the legend of la Carambada, a female Mexican outlaw in the 1870s who wore men's clothing, and a spin on "Little Red Riding Hood," in which a girl falls for a transgender soldier. Natalie Parker's "The Sweet Trade" introduces two young women in Virginia Colony, 1717, who flee their wedding days, share moments of intimacy and understanding, and then take to the sea disguised as men to guarantee their autonomy. On New Year's Eve 1999, amid Y2K fever, Turkish-American Ezgi Olmez's estranged best friend arrives on her doorstep to declare her feelings as what could be the end of the world approaches in Sara Farizan's "The End of the World as We Know It." This anthology of distinct stories and experiences is exceptional in scope and quality, and gives voice to the experiences that have long existed but often go unrepresented. Ages 14âup. Agent: Jim McCarthy, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret.

January 1, 2018
Grades 9-12 From the forests of fourteenth-century England to Massachusetts on the eve of Y2K, this anthology waltzes through history, infusing it with the oft-overlookedand much-needednarratives of queer teens. Through an alluring blend of genres and a diverse array of YA authorsincluding Malinda Lo, Alex Sanchez, Robin Talley, and Mackenzi Leethese 17 short stories explore crushes and coming out, runaways and revelations, narrow escapes and enchanted evenings. There are retellings; Anna-Marie McLemore's bewitching opener, Roja, weaves the legend of Mexican outlaw la Carambada into an unstoppable romance between an imprisoned transgender soldier and the magical girl who loves him. Elliot Wake's Every Shade of Red, stars Will Scarlett as Robin's lookout and lover. There are also refreshing originals. In Nilah Magruder's And They Don't Kiss at the End, protagonist Dee, a twentieth-century black Lizzie Bennet, ponders asexuality while roller-skating. And in Scott Tracey's horror-tinged standout, the atmospheric Willows, two boys flee from their cursed eighteenth-century townand its murderous ritual. LGBTQIA story collections are scarce, but even if they weren't, this one would be essential.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)