A review by raix
Am I Blue?: Coming Out from the Silence by Marion Dane Bauer

challenging emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

I wasn't sure what to expect from a gay YA anthology from 1994, in fact I was surprised such a thing had been published. I found the stories just as poignant and moving as modern ones, and not as dated as I expected. There is a good mix of themes, self-discovery, acceptance of others, the experience of having gay family members, the AIDS crisis... and only a few are coming out stories! The anthology features a diverse array of writers, some of whom wrote some of my most beloved childhood books. Although it's an old anthology, I would say it's definitely one to check out!

The introduction states that the editor hopes in 10 years, a specifically gay anthology will not be needed because gay and lesbian characters will be commonplace in children's literature. Well, sadly, in 2004 we hadn't reached that point. Now, nearing 2024, we're at risk of losing what little ground we've gained. But if a book like this was possible in 1994, then we'll certainly keep fighting to make sure it's possible for all the years to come.


Expand filter menu Content Warnings