Alice Austen Lived Here

by Alex Gino Narrated by Alex Gino

Overview

From the award-winning author of Melissa, a phenomenal story about queerness past, present, and future.

Sam is very in touch with their own queer identity. They're nonbinary, and their best friend, TJ, is nonbinary as well. Sam's familyis very cool with it... as long as Sam remembers that nonbinary kids are also required to clean their rooms, do their homework,and try not to antagonize their teachers too much.The teacher-respect thing is hard when it comes to Sam's history class, because their teacher seems to believe that only DeadStraight Cis White Men are responsible for history. When Sam's home borough of Staten Island opens up a contest for a newstatue, Sam finds the perfect non-DSCWM subject: photographer Alice Austen, whose house has been turned into a museum,and who lived with a female partner for decades.Soon, Sam's project isn't just about winning the contest. It's about discovering a rich queer history that Sam's a part of -- a queerhistory that no longer needs to be quiet, as long as there are kids like Sam and TJ to stand up for it.

Editorial Reviews

APRIL 2022 - AudioFile

Author Alex Gino narrates their newest middle-grade audiobook with cheerful vivacity. Sam and TJ are two nonbinary kids looking for a project subject who isn’t a dead straight cisgender white man (DSCWM) when they stumble on the history of a mostly forgotten queer photographer. With help from their LGBTQIA+ community, they campaign to put Alice Austen on the map. Gino’s voicing of Sam is charmingly authentic—the perfect preteen mix of sweetness and stubbornness. Sam’s every quicksilver change of feeling is apparent in their tone. Gino also creates an array of engaging character voices for Sam’s family, both real and found, and their pedantic history teacher. An author’s note recounts Gino’s own discovery of Alice Austen and her connection to their childhood home. N.M. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine

Publishers Weekly

★ 02/21/2022

When Staten Island (“a place known for ways to leave it”) holds a contest for a new statue of a local historical figure, white seventh grader Sam Marino and their best friend, tan-skinned TJ, both nonbinary, design a statue of lesbian photographer Alice Austen, a turn-of-the-century Staten Island resident. As Sam researches Austen, they find another personal connection: not only was Austen queer, she once lived in Sam’s apartment. It’s proof that queer people have always existed, and Sam wants everyone to know—especially their history teacher, who only seems to be interested in DSCWM (“Dead Straight Cisgender White Men”). With the help of their largely white neighbors, including femme 28-year-old Jess, with whom Sam discusses being “fat and fabulous,” and 82-year-old lesbian Ms. Hansen, they gain a deeper understanding of queer community. Gino (You Don’t Know Everything, Jilly P!) provides a memorable protagonist in confident, stubborn Sam, whose enthusiasm for Austen’s legacy—and the importance of queer history—is infectious. Sam has a strong understanding of institutional racism, and conversations with their older queer friends often center around intersectional oppression. A late interpersonal conflict feels tacked-on, but the solid representation in this novel offers a testament to the power of intergenerational queer community. Ages 9–12. Agent: Jennifer Laughran, Andrea Brown Literary. (Apr.)

From the Publisher

Praise for You Don't Know Everything, Jilly P!:

* "Gino's sophomore effort is every bit as affecting and important as their first novel, George." — School Library Journal, starred review

* "[You Don't Know Everything, Jilly P!'s] thoughtful handling of characters and dynamics offers fodder for further discussion about privilege in all its forms." — Publishers Weekly, starred review

* "A necessary and rewarding addition to any middle-grade collection." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Praise for George:

Winner of the Children's Stonewall Award

Winner of the Lambda Literary Award

A Children's Choice Book Awards Debut Author

* "Profound, moving, and — as Charlotte would say — radiant, this book will stay with anyone lucky enough to find it." — Publishers Weekly, starred review

* "Warm, funny, and inspiring." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "There is pain in George, but not without the promise of a better tomorrow." — School Library Journal, starred review

* "George is an appealing, thoroughly believable character and her best friend Kelly adds humor and zest." — Booklist, starred review

APRIL 2022 - AudioFile

Author Alex Gino narrates their newest middle-grade audiobook with cheerful vivacity. Sam and TJ are two nonbinary kids looking for a project subject who isn’t a dead straight cisgender white man (DSCWM) when they stumble on the history of a mostly forgotten queer photographer. With help from their LGBTQIA+ community, they campaign to put Alice Austen on the map. Gino’s voicing of Sam is charmingly authentic—the perfect preteen mix of sweetness and stubbornness. Sam’s every quicksilver change of feeling is apparent in their tone. Gino also creates an array of engaging character voices for Sam’s family, both real and found, and their pedantic history teacher. An author’s note recounts Gino’s own discovery of Alice Austen and her connection to their childhood home. N.M. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine

Kirkus Reviews

2022-05-25
Middle schoolers Sam and TJ discover queer history on Staten Island.

Sam, who has pale skin and dirty-blond hair, and their best friend TJ, who has dark hair and tan skin, have to research a historical Staten Island figure for their boring, supertraditional history teacher. If they get the highest grade in the class, their report will be entered in a boroughwide contest to design a new statue for Staten Island Borough Hall. With help from some adult queer mentors, Sam discovers Alice Austen, a famous local photographer, lesbian, and, most exciting of all, former resident of Sam’s exact apartment. Even when another project gets the highest grade, Sam, TJ, and their queer family are not ready to give up on Alice Austen. The main character and their best friend are both nonbinary, and though it is mentioned that some people don’t understand this, they are supported by the important people in their lives. In fact, when talking to their older lesbian neighbor, they are shocked to learn how difficult life was for queer people in the past. Featuring relatable characters and an accessible plot, this book makes it clear that queer people have always existed and that they can be anywhere and any age. It also highlights the importance of queer history and intergenerational communication, though at times the writing can be clunky and overly earnest instead of letting the characters’ experiences speak for themselves.

Though somewhat didactic, this is an entertaining story stuffed with important lessons. (author’s note, photographs by Alice Austen) (Realistic fiction. 8-12)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940176468243
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	06/07/2022
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

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