The Book on the Shelf
As an author, a Toronto Public Library employee and a LGBT Positive Spaces Champion, I was happy when asked to recommend a book for Spirit Day. Specificially, a book that had meant a lot to me in my teenaged years. One book immediately came to mind. It was a book that had resonated with me and reflected my experiences as a gay teenager. Reading it gave me insight into my emotions. I was okay. And I wasn’t alone.
The only problem? I couldn’t remember the title of the book. Or the author. I couldn’t even remember what the book cover looked like.
That’s because the book never existed.
It wasn’t on the shelf. It wasn’t passed around the cafeteria. It wasn’t discussed in English class. And while LGBT books for teens may have existed in the ‘80s, no one talked about them.
Even if that book had existed, I likely wouldn't have read it. To take it down from the shelf would've meant self-acceptance on my part. And by the time I had reached my teen years, the only thing society had taught me about accepting gay people was that it was unacceptable.
In spite of that, it would’ve helped to know that the book was there. That someone considered LGBT teen lives important. To have that acknowledgement. To know the book was there on the shelf, whether I was ready for it or not, would’ve cracked the door open just a little.
Thankfully, much has changed since the '80s, although many teens today are still struggling. But at least days like Spirit Day acknowledge that struggle. And teens have access to a variety of YA books that reflect and validate their experiences. Here are a few that I recommend.
Grl 2 Grl by Julie Anne Peters
A collection of short stories that run the gamut of queer female sexuality.
Days That End in Y by Vikki VanSickle
While the main character isn't gay, VanSickle does a great job of capturing a secondary character's coming out.
The Realm of Possibility by David Levithan
Twenty teen voices in the same school intersect in this book of poignant free verse.
Spirit Day was founded in 2010 by Canadian teen Brittany McMillan. In memory of LGBT youth who lost their lives to suicide, Brittany encouraged her friends to wear purple on a day in October. The name Spirit Day comes from the purple stripe of the symbolic rainbow flag, which represents "spirit."
Since then, Spirit Day has turned into a global event that inspires million of people to wear purple in a stand against bullying.
One thought on “The Book on the Shelf”
Thanks for these recommendations – the youth materials committee is working on updating our teen LGBTQ booklist to include some of the many new titles from the last couple of years.
It’s so positive to see that as YA lit grows, the experiences of more youth are being reflected than ever and that teens have a way better chance of seeing themselves in the pages of a great book, no matter who they are inside or what their life looks like. We need to keep that momentum going! #WeNeedDiverseBooks