The second anthology from Faerie Press offers a vibrant and heartfelt collection of short stories and poetry from emerging young LGBTQ+ voices. Through the exploration of the theme of ‘dreams’, the twenty-one writers featured graciously offer us a glimpse into their rich inner worlds.
This picturebook is based on the true story of the amazing Lilian Bland, the first woman to design, build and even fly her own airplane in 1910. Lilian’s story is one of bravery, tenacity, and the absolute refusal to give up on herself, even when everyone else had. Her indomitable spirit yearned to be as free as the birds in the sky, and her intelligence and drive made it possible for her to fly along with them.
Sisters Emmie and Paige are delighted when their parents agree to finally allow them to have a puppy each – Loki and Star. When the sisters’ uncle tells them he is getting married to his partner, Emmie has the bright idea of Loki being the ringbearer at the wedding. It soon becomes apparent that Loki is not quite ringbearer material, but Emmie is determined to keep training him to make the wedding extra special.
NeuroQueer is a welcoming and informative guide put together by ShoutOut, a charity that aims to improve life for LGBTQ+ people in Ireland. It highlights how neurodivergent and queer identities can and often do overlap, and demystifies common terminology associated with both.
This is a fun and exciting story that celebrates family in all its forms, as well as the superhero potential in both children and adults. On Oakley’s birthday, his mums are away battling a super slime monster, leaving him and his Nana Anna to prepare for the party. When the slime from their suits begins to spread through the house, Oakley and little sister Lyla find themselves in the middle of a series of wildly imaginative events.
Simo and Luca are in love. At least, that’s what the noticeboard in the centre of Lombard village is telling everyone on one bright September morning. Best friends for ten years, Luca Dean and Simo Lorca know each other better than anyone else – but Simo doesn’t know that Luca is in love with him, and Luca doesn’t know if he can ever be honest with Simo.
Reality TV meets rom-com when confident-but-competitive Seyoon and shy-but-smart Dean are thrown together on Forest Feud. With more than their parents’ legacies on the line, can the rivals team up long enough to make it to the final – and the chance to win a million dollars?
Sixteen-year-old Azadeh attends a ‘posh’ school, but on a scholarship, her family are not rich. Azadeh makes her father drop her outside the gates of the school rather than be seen in his battered work van. At home her mother is battling mental health issues; her father is doing his best but he tends to avoids issue. Azadeh is left to battle her way through as best she can while also facing the typical challenges of teenagerhood—friendships, fashion, nights out, and first relationships.
Too Nice is a sensitive and nuanced exploration of adolescence at a challenging moment in the protagonist’s life. The novel captures the emotional turbulence of growing up, grieving, and adapting to change, offering young adult readers an insightful look at how families evolve after loss.
Children’s literature provides escapism and develops imagination. Sometimes books are published that provoke and make the reader question the status quo. This book is most certainly the latter.
