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.
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.
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.
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.
This is a useful and highly empathetic non-fiction picturebook about death. Framed by instructions on how to use the book when grieving, it becomes a practical resource for children going through bereavement and carers guiding them through it.
When a new boy joins Pearl’s class in school at first she is surprised to learn that he has two mums. In a refreshingly childlike way, she accepts this fact and goes on to learn more about her new friend and their shared love of art, humour and chocolate cake. This is a simple story with a simple message at its core and will be enjoyed by young artists in particular. The children are relatable and sweet, and the classroom context is one that many will feel familiar with.
What happens to the chosen one once they’ve grown up? In this graphic novel we find out what the world looks like after the heroes have won, the darkness is banished, and life attempts to return to normal.
Fans of Zainab Boladale’s debut novel, Braids Take a Day, will be delighted with the author’s second book that tackles a very modern problem. The protagonist, Aurora Kutti, is a teenage influencer living a glamorous life of constant attention. Her lifestyle is enviable, but tightly controlled by her ‘momager,’ and Aurora is starting to lose her sense of self.
