Winners of 2022 Stonewall Children’s and Young Adult Literature Award Announced

Too Bright to See” and “Last Night at the Telegraph Club” win 2022 Stonewall Children’s and Young Adult Literature Award

Too Bright to See by Kyle Lukoff and published by Dial Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Random House, and Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo and published by Dutton Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House, are the 2022 recipients of the Stonewall Book Awards – Mike Morgan and Larry Romans Children’s and Young Adult Literature Award.

The award was announced today by the American Library Association’s (ALA) Stonewall Book Awards – Children’s & Young Adult Committee of the Rainbow Round Table, during LibLearnX: The Library Learning Experience, held virtually Jan. 21 – 24.

The Stonewall Book Award – Mike Morgan and Larry Romans Children’s and Young Adult Literature Awards are given annually to English-language works of exceptional merit for children or teens relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience. The award will be presented to the winning authors or editors at the American Library Association Annual Conference & Exhibition in Washington, D.C. in June.

“Through rich language, intimate attention to detail, and deft command of genre, these books bring to life queer pasts, celebrate queer presents, and imagine queer futures,” said Stonewall Book Awards – Children’s and Young Adult Committee Chair Dani Crickman.

One Stonewall Book Award — Children’s Award Book was named:

Too Bright to See, written by Kyle Lukoff, published by Dial Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC.

Bug’s house has always felt haunted. But after Uncle Roderick dies the summer before middle school, the ghosts seem to be urging Bug to ask new questions. Lukoff brings lyricism and empathy to this atmospheric mystery.

One Stonewall Book Award — Young Adult Award Book was named:

Last Night at the Telegraph Club, written by Malinda Lo and published by Dutton Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC.

As the expectations of her family and society close in on Lily Hu, she discovers her true self hidden in the shadows of the Telegraph Club. Lo brings to life young lesbian love and Chinese American experience in 1950s San Francisco’s Chinatown.

Three Stonewall Book Awards – Mike Morgan and Larry Romans Children’s and Young Adult Award Honor Books were named:

Almost Flying, written by Jake Maia Arlow and published by Dial Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

On a road trip with her future stepsister, Dalia’s theme park dreams are finally coming true. But when she realizes she has a crush on another girl, the summer becomes a rollercoaster of emotions. This story of queer joy explores what it means to be yourself and find family.

The Darkness Outside Us, written by Eliot Schrefer and published by Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

In this multi-layered mystery, two teenage spacefarers from warring societies leave a climate-ravaged future Earth on a deeply personal mission. Ambrose and Kodiak are compelling characters whose enduring romance and visceral battle for survival carries the reader along in this exceptionally crafted science fiction novel.

Grandad’s Camper,  illustrated and written by Harry Woodgate and published by Little Bee Books.

A vibrant road trip through the past with Grandad takes readers on an adventure just like the one he used to have with Gramps. Woodgate captures family, loss, and love in this beautiful and visual story that bridges generations.

The members of the 2022 Stonewall Book Awards – Children’s and Young Adult Committee are: Chair Dani Crickman, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts;  L. Lee Butler, The Key School, Annapolis, Maryland; Lindsey Helfrich, Sacramento Public Library, Elk Grove, California; Juliana Paslay, Contra Costa County Libraries, Antioch, California; Becky Reiser, Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton, California; Sarah F. Rodriguez, Scarsdale Public Library, Stratford, Connecticut; Angie Rundle, St. Louis County Library, Saint Louis, Missouri; David C. Saia, Heim Middle School,  Williamsville, New York; Shayna Szabo, LA County Library, North Hollywood, California; Julia Verbanic, Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, Buffalo, New York; Jayne Walters, Indianapolis Public Library – West Indianapolis Branch, Indianapolis, Indiana; Lea Wentworth, McCracken County Public Library, Paducah, Kentucky; and Stuart Wilkinson, Sonoma County Library, Guerneville, California.

For information on the Stonewall Book Awards – Mike Morgan and Larry Romans Children’s and Young Adult Literature Award and other ALA Youth Media Awards, please visit www.ala.org/yma.

The Rainbow Round Table (RRT) – formerly known as the GLBTRT – of the American Library Association is the oldest professional association for LGBTQIA+ people in the United States. It is committed to serving the information needs of the LGBTQIA+ professional library community and information and access needs of individuals at large. It is home to GLBT Book Month ™, a nationwide celebration every June and the Stonewall Book Award, the first award honoring LGBTQIA+ books. The Rainbow Round Table is committed to encouraging and supporting the free and necessary access to all information, as reflected by the missions of the American Library Association and democratic institutions.

American Library Association (ALA) is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, ALA has been the trusted voice of libraries, advocating for the profession and the library’s role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit ala.org.