We are so excited to announce our first ever pre-order campaign, for HURRICANE CHILD by Kheryn Callender.
There is very, very little LGBTQIAP+ representation in Middle Grade books. I can list maybe seven books of the top of my head, and could find a few more through research. If I tried to list Middle Grade books about queer kids of color, that list would trickle down to almost zero.
YA Pride believes that LGBTQIAP+ representation in Middle Grade is just as important, if not more important, than it is in Young Adult. Sometimes Young Adult gets to readers too late. If a reader hasn’t seen any LGBTQIAP+ representation in the books they’re reading until they’re fifteen, they’re likely to believe that something is wrong with them.
Imagine if we could change that. Imagine if you had seen an abundance of queer characters in the books you read when you were eight, ten, twelve, in a range of genres from contemporary to mystery to fantasy. I know that for me, that would have been life-changing. For others, it could be life-saving.
Part of the reason LGBTQIAP+ representation in Middle Grade is so low is that publishers believe it will not sell– that there is no market for it. We want to send them this message, loud and clear: we not only want these books, we are excited for them as well.
We chose HURRICANE CHILD for our first pre-order campaign because it is a gorgeous, moving, lyrical book– probably one of my top three favorites of 2018. It is also Black #ownvoices representation, and it is written by a Black, nonbinary author.
We all talk about how important it is to support queer books by people of color, but now more than ever, we need to go beyond just talking– we need to put our money where our mouths are.
Are you with us? If so, pre-order Hurricane Child today! Details are below.
Prepare to be swept up by this exquisite novel that reminds us that grief and love can open the world in mystical ways.
Twelve-year-old Caroline is a Hurricane Child, born on Water Island during a storm. Coming into this world during a hurricane is unlucky, and Caroline has had her share of bad luck already. She’s hated by everyone in her small school, she can see things that no one else can see, and — worst of all — her mother left home one day and never came back. With no friends and days filled with heartache, Caroline is determined to find her mother. When a new student, Kalinda, arrives, Caroline’s luck begins to turn around. Kalinda, a solemn girl from Barbados with a special smile for everyone, seems to see the things Caroline sees, too. Joined by their common gift, Kalinda agrees to help Caroline look for her mother, starting with a mysterious lady dressed in black. Soon, they discover the healing power of a close friendship between girls. Debut author Kheryn Callender presents a cadenced work of magical realism.
Pre-order Hurricane Child
From AmazonClick here to pre-order Hurricane Child
from AmazonPre-order Hurricane Child
from BookDepositoryClick here to pre-order Hurricane Child
from BookDepositoryPre-order Hurricane Child
From IndieBoundClick here to pre-order Hurricane Child
from IndieBoundDetails:
If you pre-order Hurricane Child, send us your receipt via email (vee@gayya.org) or tweet it to us at @YA_Pride, using the hashtag #PreOrderHurricaneChild. Once we get the screenshot, we’ll add your pre-order to the count, AND enter you in our giveaway for signed copies of three brand new Middle Grade releases! Our goal for the campaign is to get 50 pre-orders.
The giveaway is international and will close March 26th at 11:59 pm EST. If you have any questions, please email vee@gayya.org.
We will also be hosting a Twitter chat on the importance of queer representation in Middle Grade, and the need to support black #ownvoices authors. It will be cohosted by Patrice Caldwell and Vee S. Date and time to be announced!
[…] HURRICANE CHILD by Kheryn Callender to support the cause of MG LGBTQ books and you’ll be entered to win signed copies of three brand new Middle Grade releases! (ends […]
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