LGBT Award for Kid's Lit Celebrates 20 years
RSSBy Rocco Staino -- School Library Journal, 04/01/2009
A male nanny, a gay quarterback, and an 18-year-old girl who falls in love with an older woman are some of the characters found in the six finalists for the Lambda Literary Award in the area of children’s and young adult literature.
The Lammy, as the award is known, seeks to recognize excellence in the field of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender literature (LGBT). Four judges selected from writers, booksellers, librarians, journalists assess the entries, select the finalists, and ultimately chose the winner from books published in 2008.
“I was so excited when I found out,” says Bill Konigsberg, author of Out of Pocket. “So many books that have been important to me have been honored with a Lammy, so the possibility that my book could be similarly honored is just wild to me.”
What They Always Tell Us author, Martin Wilson says, “There were so many excellent GLBTQ YA and children's books this year, so I imagine the judges had to make some tough choices.”
Both authors say they're also thrilled that their nominations will help their books get in the hands of teens that it can help.
This year is the 20th anniversary of this category, with the first Lammy going to Losing Uncle Tim by Jordon (Whitman, 1989), which beat out the often-challenged Heather Has Two Mommies (1989) by Leslea Newman. The winners will be announced at a gala ceremony in New York City on May 28th.
The finalists are:
Hit the Road, Manny: A Manny Files Novel (S & S) by Christian Burch.
A sequel to Manny Files where Manny (male nanny) along with the Dalingers on off on a road trip for more manny shenanigans, where it's all about Elton John, Diet Coke, and being brave enough to be yourself.
Out of the Pocket (Dutton) by Bill Konigsberg
The coming out story of Bobby Framingham, a star quarterback who’s secret is revealed in the most public of ways. Bobby must reconcile his sexual identity with his passion for sports.
How They Met & Other Stories (Knopf) by David Levithan
This original story collection explores what is love and proves that love is many a splendor thing, a varied, complicated, addictive, wonderful thing.
Mousetraps (Carolrhoda) by Pat Schmetz
When Maxie's best friend from elementary school returns years later after a horrible act of violence against him, Maxie feels guilty about how she treated him and conflicted over whether or not she wants to befriend him again.
What They Always Tell Us (Random) by Martin Wilson
James and Alex have barely anything in common anymore—least of all their experiences in high school, where James is a popular senior and Alex is suddenly an outcast. But at home, there is Henry, the precocious 10-year-old across the street, who eagerly befriends them both. And when Alex takes up running, there is James’s friend Nathen, who unites the brothers in moving and unexpected ways.
Love & Lies: Marisol's Story (S & S) by Ellen Wittlinger
Companion novel to the Printz Honor Book Hard Love (S & S, 1999) Marisol defers college to write a novel and fall in love. The two combine when she falls in love her writing instructor, Olivia, the most beautiful woman she’s ever seen.
