Ines del Castillo’s hip conversational tone enlivens this compendium of 50 boundary-breaking LGBTQ+ figures from across history and around the globe. Many names, like Ellen DeGeneres, will be familiar to listeners, but many will be less well known, like the ancient Chinese emperor Wen of Han. Del Castillo’s enthusiasm and pride are evident in the short biographies representing a wide diversity of races, ethnicities, genders, and sexualities. She pronounces international names like those of Icelandic politician Jóhanna Sigurdardóttir and African transgender activist Tshepo Ricki Kgositau as effortlessly as if they were her best friends. This engaging audiobook will leave listeners impressed by the courage, determination, and accomplishments of these extraordinary heroes who broke barriers and changed the world for future generations. S.C. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

Prager presents each figure with enthusiasm and provides lots of interesting details that allow readers a glimpse into that person’s world. — Kirkus Reviews

A browsable guide for middle school readers looking to get an overview of LGBTQ+ individuals throughout history. — School Library Journal

"[A] lively look for middle grade readers at queer figures, present and past, who made an impact on the world...each accompanied by a dynamic portrait illustration by artist Sarah Papworth." — Boston Globe

Filled with exciting, inspiring and heartbreaking stories, this is a wonderful reminder of  LGBTQ+ peoples’ contributions to history.  — Book Riot

[W]ill have the effect of inspiring young readers. For middle-grade readers, it will likely be a compelling volume. — Mombian

Conquerors and conductors, artists and athletes, dancers and doctors, techies and showbiz types — together they emerge from the shadows of history into present light. — San Francisco Chronicle

This engaging audiobook will leave listeners impressed by the courage, determination, and accomplishments of these extraordinary heroes who broke barriers and changed the world for future generations. — AudioFile Magazine

This book is phenomenal! — thetinyactivist.com

"Engaging and digestible bios. Celebrate[s] the stories of people who have made their mark on history while loving who they loved." — USA Today

Conquerors and conductors, artists and athletes, dancers and doctors, techies and showbiz types — together they emerge from the shadows of history into present light.

This book is phenomenal!

Filled with exciting, inspiring and heartbreaking stories, this is a wonderful reminder of  LGBTQ+ peoples’ contributions to history. 

[W]ill have the effect of inspiring young readers. For middle-grade readers, it will likely be a compelling volume.

"[A] lively look for middle grade readers at queer figures, present and past, who made an impact on the world...each accompanied by a dynamic portrait illustration by artist Sarah Papworth."

This engaging audiobook will leave listeners impressed by the courage, determination, and accomplishments of these extraordinary heroes who broke barriers and changed the world for future generations.

Conquerors and conductors, artists and athletes, dancers and doctors, techies and showbiz types — together they emerge from the shadows of history into present light.

06/12/2020

Gr 3–7—This middle grade resource profiles 50 LGBTQ+ people. Each double-page spread contains a full-page illustration of the person rendered in a folk art style. The single page of text offers background information detailing the person's life, such as why they are included in the book as well as their personal accomplishments. The text is easy to understand, making it accessible to a wide range of readers. A variety of individuals are represented and span cultures, time periods, and occupations. Historical and modern figures are included. There are sports heroes (Billie Jean King), mathematicians (Benjamin Banneker), dancers, artists, political figures (Alexander the Great and Georgina Beyer), soldiers, and inventors. Readers will enjoy the ease of dropping in and reading a little bit here and there, but some middle schoolers may be put off by the impression that it is a picture book. VERDICT A browsable guide for middle school readers looking to get an overview of LGBTQ+ individuals throughout history.—Debbie Tanner, S D Spady Montessori Elem., FL

Ines del Castillo’s hip conversational tone enlivens this compendium of 50 boundary-breaking LGBTQ+ figures from across history and around the globe. Many names, like Ellen DeGeneres, will be familiar to listeners, but many will be less well known, like the ancient Chinese emperor Wen of Han. Del Castillo’s enthusiasm and pride are evident in the short biographies representing a wide diversity of races, ethnicities, genders, and sexualities. She pronounces international names like those of Icelandic politician Jóhanna Sigurdardóttir and African transgender activist Tshepo Ricki Kgositau as effortlessly as if they were her best friends. This engaging audiobook will leave listeners impressed by the courage, determination, and accomplishments of these extraordinary heroes who broke barriers and changed the world for future generations. S.C. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

2020-02-26
This colorful compendium covers 50 boundary-breaking LGBTQ+ figures from across history and around the globe.

Starting at A with Adam Rippon, each hero receives a straightforward one-page biography that includes an account of how they changed the world, broke a barrier, or fought for LGBTQ+ rights and is accompanied by vivid, blocky illustrations. This list of potential role models includes big names like Harvey Milk as well as some that may be unfamiliar to many Americans, like Simon Nkoli. The selection showcases a diversity of races, ethnicities, genders, and sexualities, with some gaps; for example, the glossary explicitly includes intersex people, yet none are identified as such within the text of their biography, and the only East Asian included is from the second century B.C.E. Stylistically, many of the sentences are wordy and sometimes awkward, including unclear or unusual constructions and tone shifts. Add a handful of cringeworthy word choices, such as “between her legs” and an instance of “female” used as a noun, and readers may find themselves shaking their heads. Nevertheless, this does not diminish the book’s fundamental value as a resource for young people. Prager presents each figure with enthusiasm and provides lots of interesting details that allow readers a glimpse into that person’s world, be it 1970s San Francisco or 1600s Mexico.

An exciting if uneven volume that offers much to inquisitive kids seeking LGBTQ+ information. (timeline, LGBTQ+ flags and symbols, selected bibliography) (Collective biography. 8-14)