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elm // em dickson

@mlereads.bsky.social
437 followers 608 following 85 posts

elm like the tree. nonbinarian school librarian. magister of kidlit MAMFA via simmons. sailor. seabird. selkie. scrivener. scholar. ATHLETE IS AGENDER ‘25 – Christy Ottaviano Books/Little, Brown BYR BEYOND THEY / THEM ‘25 – Andrews McMeel seeking rep

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elm // em dickson @mlereads.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
does anybody have some spare F&Gs they’d like to donate to a good cause? i’m teaching a middle school elective next year re: bookmaking and i’d love to do some collage work with them! any children’s lit things out there we can cut up? 👀👀
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elm // em dickson @mlereads.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
it’s almost time for my annual cry about a nonexistent musical about groundhogs and i for one cannot wait
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elm // em dickson @mlereads.bsky.social · 11/01/2026
question: imagery / iconography ideas to convey the historical fiction genre that aren’t eurocentric?
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elm // em dickson @mlereads.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
elf on the shelf has gone way too far “my elf this” “my elf that” “my elf had three babies” “TRIPLETS?” ENOUGH!!!!
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elm // em dickson @mlereads.bsky.social · 19/08/2025
in absolutely devastating news i have lost my 857 day duolingo streak
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elm // em dickson @mlereads.bsky.social · 13/07/2025
for those keeping track: i have now read 114 picture books so far this summer in preparation for my fourth graders’ mock caldecott project picture book readers: what are your favorite 2025 releases? 👀👀
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elm // em dickson @mlereads.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
manifesting my future creation of an eclectic kids’ bookstore called the emporium
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elm // em dickson @mlereads.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
i think the first time i get tagged as an author in a pride book post i’ll probably cry
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Andrews McMeel Kids @andrewsmcmeelkids.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
Happy pub day to @mlereads.bsky.social and Beyond They/Them! We love this book and hope you do too💘 publishing.andrewsmcmeel.com/book/beyond-...
publishing.andrewsmcmeel.com
Beyond They/Them - Andrews McMeel Publishing
Beyond They/Them is a captivating, gorgeously illustrated book celebrating 20 trailblazing nonbinary, genderqueer, and two-spirit individuals who have left an indelible mark on music, sports, film and...
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elm // em dickson @mlereads.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
IT’S MY BOOK BIRTHDAY!!!! 🥳🌈✨ it’s hard to express what it means for this book to be out in the world today. amidst all the attacks on genderdiverse people not just in the states but around the world, this book is a reminder that “nonbinary people have always been here & can be found everywhere.”
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Bookelicious @bookelicious.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
📚 🥳 🎂 ATHLETE IS AGENDER with @katherinelocke.bsky.social Nicole Melleby, @sassinsf.com Karina Manta, Isaac Fitzsimons, @mlereads.bsky.social @v-e-tirado.com 📅 5-15-25 @ 7:30p ET Register FREE + pre-order option! 🌈 xuyx9zzuvpq.typeform.com/to/IWF6eaWK?... @lbschool.bsky.social
📚 🥳 🎂 ATHLETE IS AGENDER with @katherinelocke.bsky.social Nicole Melleby, @sassinsf.com Karina Manta, Isaac Fitzsimons, @mlereads.bsky.social @v-e-tirado.com 

📅 5-15-25 @ 7:30p ET
Register FREE + pre-order option! 🌈
https://xuyx9zzuvpq.typeform.com/to/IWF6eaWK?typeform-source=www.google.com @lbschool.bsky.social
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elm // em dickson @mlereads.bsky.social · 28/04/2025
wait so what does one wear to a launch event. when one is the author. hypothetically
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elm // em dickson @mlereads.bsky.social · 27/04/2025
kids these days with their memes. they don’t even know about bredlik
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elm // em dickson @mlereads.bsky.social · 27/04/2025
media.tenor.com
three girls are painting a garage door in front of a house while another girl sits on the sidewalk .
ALT: three girls are painting a garage door in front of a house while another girl sits on the sidewalk .
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kelly jensen @heykellyjensen.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
Mentally, we all need to prepare for this to be a typical 5-4 split in SCOTUS. We also need to remember that when it is, enforcement will be school-district level, and it will be specific to the ruling itself. Anything beyond that will tell you everything you need to know about the school itself.
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We Need Diverse Books @weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
8 newly released or soon to be released middle grade books containing trans rep:
Pastel pink and blue graphic displaying eight newly released or soon to be released middle grade books containing trans rep. The titles shown are as follows: “Splinter & Ash” by Marieke Nijkamp, “Glitch Girl” by Rainie Oet, “A World Worth Saving” by Kyle Lukeoff, “A Song for You and I” by K. O’Neill,  “Ollie in Between” by Jess Callans (April 8th), “Athlete is Agender” by Katherine Locke & Nicole Melleby (May 13th), “Going Overboard” by Caroline Huntoon (May 27th), and “Saber-tooth” by Robin Gow (January 2026). In the upper left-hand and lower right-hand corners are wavy ribbons designed in the colors of the trans flag.
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Marieke Nijkamp @mariekeyn.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
And the right response to transphobes is *always* to uplift trans voices, as a reminder that we have always been here and we will always be here. So here's another stack of recommendations of trans and nonbinary writers writing amazing, fantastical, magical stories for kids.
A hand holding up a stack of books in front of blurry bookshelves. The books are, from top to bottom:

THE STRANGEWORLDS TRAVEL AGENCY by LD Lapinski
VIVI CONWAY AND THE HAUNTED QUEST by Lizzie Huxley-Jones
THE OTHERWOODS by Justine Pucella Winans
SIR CALLIE AND THE WITCH'S WAR by Esme Symes-Smith
THIS IS OUR RAINBOW: 16 STORIES ABOUT HER, HIM, THEM, AND US edited by Katherine Locke and Nicole Melleby
ACCIDENTAL DEMONS by Clare Edge
A SONG FOR YOU AND I by K. O'Neill
THE OJJA-WOJJA by Magdalene Visaggio and Jenn St-Onge
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Marieke Nijkamp @mariekeyn.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
Hey Blueksy, if you're looking for magic books and magic school books that *aren't* horribly exclusionary, let me share some fantastic examples with you. #BookSky 💙📚
A hand holding up a stack of books in front of blurry bookshelves. The books are, from top to bottom:

LIKE A CURSE by Elle McNicoll
ONYEKA AND THE ACADEMY OF THE SUN by Tolá Okogwu
MIA AND THE LIGHTCASTER by Janelle McCurdy, illustrated by Ana Latese
WITCHES OF BROOKLYN by Sophie Escabasse
WITCHLINGS by Claribel Ortega
THE MARVELLERS by Dhonielle Clayton
THE GRIMOIRE OF GRAVE FATES edited by Hanna Alkaf and Margaret Owen
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elm // em dickson @mlereads.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
damn the mysterious benedict society really does land spectacularly in these days + times
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elm // em dickson @mlereads.bsky.social · 12/04/2025
#kidlit hive mind: i need recs for early middle grade fantasy in the vein of legends of lotus island with LESS THAN 200 PAGES again: LESS THAN 200 pages help me out??
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Jessica Vitalis @jessicavitalis.bsky.social · 12/04/2025
The R.M.S. Titanic departed on its maiden voyage 113 years ago today. Though life was different back then, the social divisions on board the boat can teach us more about modern life now than ever. This poem is from my latest novel, UNSINKABLE CAYENNE. #kidlit
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elm // em dickson @mlereads.bsky.social · 12/04/2025
so excited for this!!! 🥰🌈✨
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Bookelicious @bookelicious.bsky.social · 11/04/2025
📚 🥳 🎂 ATHLETE IS AGENDER with @katherinelocke.bsky.social Nicole Melleby, @matokah.bsky.social Karina Manta, Isaac Fitzsimons, @mlereads.bsky.social @v-e-tirado.bsky.social! 📅 5-15-25 @ 7:30p ET Register free + pre-order option! 🌈 xuyx9zzuvpq.typeform.com/to/IWF6eaWK?... @lbschool.bsky.social
📚 🥳 🎂 ATHLETE IS AGENDER with @katherinelocke.bsky.social Nicole Melleby, @matokah.bsky.social Karina Manta, Isaac Fitzsimons, @mlereads.bsky.social @v-e-tirado.bsky.social!

📅 5-15-25 @ 7:30p ET

Register free + pre-order option! 🌈
https://xuyx9zzuvpq.typeform.com/to/IWF6eaWK?typeform-source=www.google.com @lbschool.bsky.social
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elm // em dickson @mlereads.bsky.social · 05/04/2025
has anyone written an author letter that goes out with preview copies? i’m just nervous and have no idea what to say!
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No Shelf Control @litink.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
IMLS represents 0.0046% of the federal budget! Museums employ 726,000 people and generate $50 billion in economic activity. Look at and save your IMLS state by state data to see how your state benefits from IMLS (before it’s taken down). www.imls.gov/map
imls.gov
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Brandon T. Snider @brandontsnider.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
The words of Nikki Giovanni for Trans Day of Visibility
I think the transgender kids are the bravest kids right now that we see; they’re as brave as my generation was in breaking down segregation. They’re breaking down—I don’t have the word for it right now—but it’s gender prejudice, and [the idea that] somebody has decided that they can tell you who you are, what your name should be, and how you should look.

And those youngsters are saying, “No, I can decide who I am, what my name should be.” Everybody’s mad at me like, You should be a girl because we’ve decided you’re a girl. And they say, “Well, who the hell are you?” I can decide that I’m a boy. And if it makes me happy, what does it mean to you? And I can decide that my name is John. And if you don’t like that my name is Geraldine, why can’t you name yourself? And if the people who know you and love you—or have to talk to you, maybe they don’t even love you but they have to talk to you—you can tell them, “This is my name, and I would like to be referred to in that way.”
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elm // em dickson @mlereads.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
oh look it’s me :)) featured by wndb :)) kind of a dream?!
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elm // em dickson @mlereads.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
several ppl featured in BEYOND THEY/THEM have requested copies?! what?! like i know it’s trans day of visibility & all but these ppl are definitely not supposed to know i exist?! what is going on?!
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Carmen 📚 Latinx Book Influencer 📚 @tomesandtextiles.bsky.social · 29/03/2025
When you look at the list of institutions they want to defund: libraries, museums, the Smithsonian, public schools, PBS, NPR, archives, you can clearly see that the real threat to an authoritarian regime is an informed and educated public
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LGBTQReads @lgbtqreads.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
Exclusive Cover Reveal: This is How We Roll ed. by Rosiee Thor Today on the site I'm delighted to reveal the cover of the upcoming anthology This is How We Roll, edited by Rosiee Thor and releasing September 16, 2025  from Page Street YA! Here's the gist:  The magic of tabletop RPGs lives in the…
lgbtqreads.com
Exclusive Cover Reveal: This is How We Roll ed. by Rosiee Thor
Today on the site I'm delighted to reveal the cover of the upcoming anthology This is How We Roll, edited by Rosiee Thor and releasing September 16, 2025  from Page Street YA! Here's the gist:  The magic of tabletop RPGs lives in the creativity of the players. Given the chance to explore gender, relationships, and queer existence across vast worlds with completely different sets of rules, queer players throughout the years have found acceptance, camaraderie, and joy by rolling the dice and kicking ass.
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Karis Rogerson 🏳️‍🌈 @karisselizabeth.bsky.social · 23/03/2025
wish i could cure my depression by taking an extended vacation by the sea in england and just breathe in salt air and let a breeze ruffle my hair and write poetry on scraps of paper and eventually i'd come to realize that my life actually matters and maybe then i'd be ok.
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Trans Rights Readathon @trreadathon.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
SHE’S HERE! The Trans Rights Readathon has officially begun! ✨🥳🎊🎉📚 #booksky #trr25 #transrightreadathon
Slide 1: Pink, white, and blue text over a background image of a trans flag. Text Reads: The 2025 Trans Rights Readathon: A decentralized grassroots event that focuses on UPLIFTING trans books, AMPLIFYING trans stories, and SUPPORTING trans organizations and communities. March 21-31, 2025.Slide 2: Text Reads: The #TRR Isn’t Just Reading, It’s Action! The Trans Rights Readathon encourages readers to seek out works by and/or about trans, nonbinary, 2Spirit, and gender non-conforming authors and characters. Along with taking action on the mutual, local, and national level! Image includes a blue box with the word UPLIFT, a white box with the word AMPLIFY, and a pink box with the word SUPPORT with a dollar sign in place of the S.Slide 3: Text Reads: It’s not too late to sign up! You can find resources, graphics, and more information via our website. We also encourage you to sign up and so we can communicate with you throughout the readathon. This effort is decentralized. We encourage you to get involved and support your local community directly!Slide 4: Text Reads: Get Loud, Stay Loud. Trans people, trans voices, trans stories have always been here, and will always remain.
If this is your first or third readathon, you’re an author or a reader, an accomplice, young or old—let’s always remain loud for Trans Rights!
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elm // em dickson @mlereads.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
hey pals did you know that i have not one but TWO books coming out (hehe) in may?! 🌈✨ CHECK THEM OUT!!!!
A selfie of me, a white nonbinary person with sandy hair and glasses, at a low flat beach holding up my upcoming books: ATHLETE IS AGENDER, light blue with rainbows branching out from the top left and bottom right corners, and BEYOND THEY/THEM, pale sunburst in color with illustrated nonbinary figures encircled by a long nonbinary pride flag (yellow, white, purple, black). I’m wearing a light grey sweatshirt and the photo cuts off about halfway up my face - I’m smizing and wearing sunglasses
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John Schu @mrschureads.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
Happy book birthday to @katemessner.com's History Smashers: Earth Day and the Environment!
History Smashers: Earth Day and the Environment
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Christine Almeda ✏️ @eychristine.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
Yay it’s finally PW official! So happy to share I DANCE, written by Diana Rañola and illustrated by me, coming out this October! 🎶 It was such a joy working on this book full of so much Filipino dance! Can’t wait to share more later this year 🇵🇭💃 Available for pre-order now! #kidlit
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elm // em dickson @mlereads.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
on a neighborhood walk today with, among others, a 7.5yo i’ve known since he was 2.5, when he asked: are you grown up yet? me: oh i dunno, that depends. how old do you think i am? 7.5yo: i dunno, twelve?
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elm // em dickson @mlereads.bsky.social · 09/03/2025
who’s doing the picture book about nibi the beaver and actually can it be me bc GUESS WHAT she’s coming to my school i am getting to MEET HERRR
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Isabella Kung @isabellakung.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
🌊COVER REVEAL!!!✨ I’m SO excited to announce: on October 14th 2025,NUNU AND THE SEA will finally take the shelves by storm! #illustration #picturebook #picturebookillustration #childrensbooks #ownvoices #picturebookart #socialemotionallearning #kidlitmegafeed #kidlitart #kidlit #illustrationartists
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Shannon Hale @shannonhale.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
"Any time you're given two choices, be suspicious." A woman once told me this, and it's always proved as wise as she is. Two choices betrays binary thinking: good vs evil, us vs them. Binary choices are usually illusions. There are infinite choices, infinite possibilities.
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LGBTQReads @lgbtqreads.bsky.social · 21/02/2025
Exclusive Cover Reveal: Sir Callie and the Last Stand by Esme Symes-Smith Today on the site I'm delighted to welcome Esme Symes-Smith to reveal the cover of the fourth and final book in the MG fantasy Sir Callie series, Sir Callie and the Last Stand, which releases October 14, 2025 from Labyrinth…
lgbtqreads.com
Exclusive Cover Reveal: Sir Callie and the Last Stand by Esme Symes-Smith
Today on the site I'm delighted to welcome Esme Symes-Smith to reveal the cover of the fourth and final book in the MG fantasy Sir Callie series, Sir Callie and the Last Stand, which releases October 14, 2025 from Labyrinth Road/PRH! Here's the story: In the conclusion of this bestselling fantasy series a nonbinary knight-in-training, a reluctant crown prince, a fierce young witch, and her resilient twin brother must fight for the heart of their kingdom against tyranny, once and for all.
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Esme Symes-Smith @esmesymessmith.bsky.social · 22/02/2025
🌈SIR CALLIE AND THE FINAL STAND: 10/14/25🏳️‍⚧️ 'Even if it feels like their best will never be enough to conquer the infection of hate that has spread across Wyndebrel, they must hold true to their mission: to create a better and safer realm for everyone.' www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/737457...
THE BATTLE IS STILL WORTH FIGHTING 

Cover of SIR CALLIE AND THE FINAL STAND over a rainbow paint smear 

10/14/25
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Melissa Stewart @mstewartscience.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
Teachers! Librarians! Looking for a fun whole-school activity to celebrate nonfiction and kids who love it? Try March Madness Nonfiction. tinyurl.com/2y9hjjjc #edusky #kidlit @steamteambooks.bsky.social
tinyurl.com
Getting Ready for March Madness Nonfiction
Inspired by the annual  March Madness basketball tournament, in 2016, literacy coach Shelley Moody worked with instructional coach Valerie G...
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Cameron Mukwa - Order The Ribbon Skirt! @cameronmukwa.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
Hey friends, I have a book announcement! I recently illustrated Em Dickson's "Beyond They/Them: 20 Influential Nonbinary and Gender-Diverse People You Should Know," and it's now available as part of Barnes & Noble's sale for the pages event! www.barnesandnoble.com/w/beyond-the... #booksky #art
barnesandnoble.com
Beyond They/Them: 20 Influential Nonbinary and Gender-Diverse People You Should Know|Hardcover
Beyond They/Them is a captivating, gorgeously illustrated book celebrating 20 trailblazing nonbinary, genderqueer, and two-spirit individuals who have left an indelible mark on music, sports, film and...
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Jes & Cin @jesncin.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
Time for a cover reveal! THE BEASTS BENEATH THE WINDS, a middle grade anthology about Southeast Asian cryptids by an all SEAn author and illustrator team is ready for preorder! 🐉 cover design by Micah Fleming! #Booksky #art #illustration
A book cover depicting 5 beasts floating in the sky, four of which frame a beast in the middle. On the top left is a short ape-like creature resembling an orangutan. On the top right is an "asian unicorn": a beast resembling barongsai/lion dancer creature but with antlers like deer and legs like a horse. On the bottom left is a werewolf-esque creature that has the body of a gorilla and the head of a wolf with red eyes. On the bottom right is the Garuda: a creature that has the head and beak of a bird (like an eagle) and body of a man with wings. This creature is bejeweled and wears a sarong. The creature in the middle resembles a harpy or alkonost- a bird with the face and form of a woman. It's long body is that of a peacock, with a long colorful tail of feathers. In the background is a small hill with a temple. The oceans and a dock are nearby, where wooden boats are seen. Among the beasts is the title: "THE BEASTS BENEATH THE WINDS, Tales of Southeast Asia's Mythical Creatures. Edited by Hanna Alkaf"
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Jes & Cin @jesncin.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
Man if you can't recognize the literary merit of comics that's a skill issue.
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emilyshapiro24.bsky.social @emilyshapiro24.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
Anyway, still thinking of these words from Katherine Rundell in the LRB. I am furious at the thieves who want to make children’s worlds smaller and less accepting—and determined not to let them. Check out @authorsabb.bsky.social if you’re furious too.
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SaÑdra💙💯⚽️ @sandraherrera.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
🏳️‍⚧️ Trans people are not a threat to sports. Or a threat in general. Don’t say you want to protect kids and then do the opposite of that. Happy National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Ty 💖
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Taylor Tracy 🌊✨🍝 @tayberryjelly.bsky.social · 27/01/2025
Also since I don’t think I’ve seen it said yet, a HUGE thanks to the Stonewall Award committee for awarding trans and nonbinary voices of color this year who offered such bright, vibrant and nuanced depictions of trans and queer joy. And for honoring trans and nonbinary voices overall. #alayma
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Christiana Doucette @doucette515.bsky.social · 27/01/2025
So many middle grade novels-in-verse honored at the #ALA awards!
Newbery Honor Book
"One Big Open Sky"
Written by Lesa Cline-Ransome
Published by Holiday House
Coretta Scott King Honor Award-Winning Author
LESA CLINE-RANSOME
ONE BIG OPEN SKYSchneider Family Book Award
Best Middle Grade Honor Book
"Louder Than Hunger"
Written by John Schu
Published by Candlewick Press
i could save ivy
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
LOLDER THANC HUNGER
JOHN SCHUStonewall Children's
Honor Book
"Murray Out of Water"
Written by Taylor Tracy
Published by Quill Tree Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
MURRAY
Taylor Tran
AA.20Coretta Scott King
Book Award
Author Honor
Kwame Alexander
"Black Star"
Published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book
Group
NEWERY MEDAL-WINNING AUTHOR
KWAME ALEXANDER
BLACK STAR
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELI
THE DOOR OF NO RETURN
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