The Letter Q - Review and Giveaway - Part 4

The Letter Q: Queer Writers' Notes To Their Younger Selves
edited by Sarah Moon
Arthur A Levine Books
978-0-545-39932-6
$17.99

We've all heard of the "It Gets Better" or the "Dear Bully" campaigns. Scholastic took those projects a step further and gathered over 60 authors to write letters to their younger LGBTQ selves. What a great way to reach those teens who may be struggling to hang on.

Monday - Friday, I will highlight a different young adult author, as well as Arthur Levine himself, and give you an excerpt. (UPDATE: HAD TO SKIP ONE DAY SO WILL RUN TO SATURDAY, JUNE 2)


Brian Selznick
As a fan of Andrew Clements, I've always loved Selznick's work.  When he stopped illustrating for Clements, I was heartbroken. Then he wrote The Invention of Hugo Cabret and my heart stopped hurting from pain and exploded with joy. And then he wrote Wonderstruck. And I didn't know I could feel so much.  Visit him at  - Brian Selznick.


Selznick responds to a letter he wrote to his future self when he was thirteen.

Did I marry someone? Is she nice? Well...this is the question that surprised me, because I'm the only person who knows what you were really thinking at thirteen when you wrote it...So, to answer your question: No, I didn't get married to a woman, but I did fall in love...and we've been together for almost fourteen years now.

Giveaway

Open to US Residents only. 

Enter by completing the form below. 

Be sure to leave your email address so that we can contact you.

The giveaway is open from
May 28, 2012 - June 1, 2012 11:59pm EXTENDED TO JUNE 2, 11:59PM!

You may enter once per day. 
2 copies will be given away.

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The Letter Q - Review and Giveaway - Part 3

The Letter Q: Queer Writers' Notes To Their Younger Selves
edited by Sarah Moon
Arthur A Levine Books
978-0-545-39932-6
$17.99

We've all heard of the "It Gets Better" or the "Dear Bully" campaigns. Scholastic took those projects a step further and gathered over 60 authors to write letters to their younger LGBTQ selves. What a great way to reach those teens who may be struggling to hang on.

Monday - Friday, I will highlight a different young adult author, as well as Arthur Levine himself, and give you an excerpt of their story.

Julie Anne Peters
Peters has written many books including By The Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead, Luna, Keeping You a Secret, and Define Normal. Check out her website - Julie Anne Peters.


Peters comforts her younger self after a devastating breakup.

I wish there was a time machine because I would've jumped aboard and set the controls to that park. I'd have held you tight and told you that it wasn't you; that in a few short years you'd meet the love of your life...  ...wasn't until college that you came out to yourself. You didn't even have a word for it. Lesbian. Even now it makes you cringe a little. You prefer gay. It makes you happy, that word, and all you ever wanted was to be happy.

Giveaway

Open to US Residents only. 

Enter by completing the form below. 

Be sure to leave your email address so that we can contact you.

The giveaway is open from
May 28, 2012 - June 1, 2012 11:59pm

You may enter once per day. 
2 copies will be given away.

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The Letter Q - Review and Giveaway - Part 2

The Letter Q: Queer Writers' Notes To Their Younger Selves
edited by Sarah Moon
Arthur A Levine Books
978-0-545-39932-6
$17.99

We've all heard of the "It Gets Better" or the "Dear Bully" campaigns. Scholastic took those projects a step further and gathered over 60 authors to write letters to their younger LGBTQ selves. What a great way to reach those teens who may be struggling to hang on.

Monday - Friday, I will highlight a different young adult author, as well as Arthur Levine himself, and give you an excerpt of their story.

David Levithan
Levithan has co-authored several of my favorite books: Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, Noami and Eli's No-Kiss List, Dash and Lily's Book of Dares and Will Grayson, Will Grayson.  He also has many novels of his own, including Boy Meets Boy, Wide Awake, and Every You, Every Me. Check him out online - David Levithan.


Levithan chastises his younger self for bullying a teacher.

I know many gay people now who honed their caustic wit s a defense mechanism - this particular rapier was the best thing in their own arsenals, so they made sure it was sharp as possible, and sometimes they went in for the kill. Hell, sometimes they still do.  Don't fall into this trap. It doesn't make you safe. It only makes you mean.

Giveaway

Open to US Residents only. 

Enter by completing the form below. 

Be sure to leave your email address so that we can contact you.

The giveaway is open from
May 28, 2012 - June 1, 2012 11:59pm

You may enter once per day. 
2 copies will be given away.

Trailer

 Tweet

The Letter Q - Review and Giveaway - Part 1

The Letter Q: Queer Writers' Notes To Their Younger Selves
edited by Sarah Moon
Arthur A Levine Books
978-0-545-39932-6
$17.99

We've all heard of the "It Gets Better" or the "Dear Bully" campaigns. Scholastic took those projects a step further and gathered over 60 authors to write letters to their younger LGBTQ selves. What a great way to reach those teens who may be struggling to hang on.

Monday - Friday, I will highlight a different young adult author, as well as Arthur Levine himself, and give you an excerpt of their story.


Jacqueline Woodson
Woodson is the author of the Newbery Honor Show Me as well as  If You Come Softly, Locomotion, Peace,Locomotion and other books for children and teens. Visit her website - Jacqueline Woodson.


Woodson writes of her best friend Maria. Maria has an aunt that Woodson is simultaneously drawn to and afraid of:

Alma scares you - she is tall and thin and dresses like a man. Your mother calls her a a bulldagger and this word alone - when said the way your mother says it - makes you afraid to get close to Alma. You think, That isn't me. You are already thinking, That isn't me. Because somewhere deep, you know that it is.

Giveaway

Open to US Residents only. 

Enter by completing the form below. 

Be sure to leave your email address so that we can contact you.

The giveaway is open from
May 28, 2012 - June 1, 2012 11:59pm

You may enter once per day. 
2 copies will be given away.

Trailer

 Tweet