  | Alice Austen lived here Author: Gino, Alex | |
| Price: $22.58 | ||
Summary:
Middle school student Sam is comfortable with their nonbinary identity, and their family has accepted it too (as long as they do their homework and chores), so when their history teacher assigns as a project coming up with a proposal for the new statue honoring a historical Staten Islander (there is a contest involved) they and their friend TJ decide to focus on Alice Austen, a lesbian photographer, whose house on Staten Island is a museum.
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Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (06/15/22)
Booklist (+) (03/01/22)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (00/05/22)
The Hornbook (00/07/22)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 03/01/2022 *Starred Review* Gino, author of 2015’s award-winning Melissa (previously titled George), crafts another tour de force about the ways in which modern LGBTQIA+ kids are connected to that community’s history. Sam and TJ, two nonbinary best friends, know there’s more to history than dead, straight, cis white men. Unfortunately, their history teacher doesn’t agree, and he assigns the class a project researching local historical figures of note, the highest grade for which will also receive a contest entry for a new statue in Staten Island. Sam and TJ agree not to do a project on a straight, white man, and after Sam learns about LGBTQIA+ photographer Alice Austen, the project becomes more than just a homework assignment. This delicately and thoughtfully introduces the essential idea that LGBTQIA+ people have existed throughout history, seamlessly weaving Staten Island’s queer history into the plot. Gino has written fun, smart characters who have the passion to challenge their teachers on difficult topics, emphasizing the idea that adults are not always right just because they’re older authority figures. Sam explores the importance of connecting with their queer and trans elders while at the same time honoring their real-life LGBTQIA+ chosen family. An essential story to kids of all identities, offering a timeless reminder to readers of all ages: like Alice Austen, LGBTQIA+ people lived—and continue to live—here and everywhere. - Copyright 2022 Booklist.
