Kirjahaku

Abandoned by her mother and raised by her loving but religiously zealous grandmother, 16-year-old Heavenly Faith Simms (H.F. for short) has never felt like she belonged anywhere. When she finds her mother's address in a drawer, she and her best friend, Bo, an emotionally repressed gay boy, hit the road in Bo's scrap heap of a car and head south. Their journey through the heart of the American South awakens both teens to the realization that there is a life waiting for them that is very different from what they have known and that the concept of family is more far-reaching than they had ever imagined.

Ruby Pickett didn't have any say about the family move to Tennessee. Her daddy's new job will help the war effort, though no one has told her exactly how. Brand new, government-built Oak Ridge quickly proves a curious and intriguing place for the sixteen-year-old's rampant curiosity. A voracious reader, Ruby wonders at mysteries in books and sees possible mysteries in the secrecy that surrounds Oak Ridge. She finds a kindred spirit in Iris, a young wife and mother who has moved to Oak Ridge with her scientist husband, and who chafes at the intellectual emptiness of her new home and life. Faraway events don't seem likely to answer any of Ruby's questions, but as the war grows more destructive Ruby begins to realize that her curiosity--like her deepening feelings for Iris--may be more dangerous than she could possibly imagine. A moving story set in the shadow of World War II for readers of all ages from the author of Finding H.F.

Set in rural Tennessee, QUIVER, a YA novel by Julia Watts, focuses on the unlikely friendship between two teens from opposite sides of the culture wars. Libby is the oldest child of six, going on seven, in a family that adheres to the "quiverfull" lifestyle: strict evangelical Christians who believe that they should have as many children as God allows because children are like arrows in the quiver of "God's righteous warriors." Meanwhile, her new neighbor, Zo is a gender fluid teen whose feminist, socialist, vegetarian family recently relocated from the city in search of a less stressful life. Zo and hir family are as far to the left ideologically as Libby's family is to the right, and yet Libby and Zo, who are the same age, feel a connection that leads them to friendship—a friendship that seems doomed from the start because of their families' differences. Through deft storytelling, built upon extraordinary character development, author Watts offers a close examination of the contemporary compartmentalization of social interactions. The tensions that spring from their families’ cultural differences reflect the pointed conflicts found in today’s society, and illuminate a path for broader consideration.

***"Great Reads from Great Places" selection by State of Tennessee for Library of Congress National Book Festival***Honorable Mention, Foreword Indies award for Young Adult Fiction***Lambda Literary Recommended LGBTQ+ Young Adult Fiction In rural Kentucky, 16-year-old Kody loves quilting, cooking, and Dolly Parton and helps his grandma with the challenges of his mother's opioid addiction, until the discovery of a shocking family secret changes everything. In this captivating LGBTQ+ young adult tale that weaves together the heartwarming authenticity of Phil Stamper's work and the empowering spirit of Aiden Thomas, Kody embarks on a quest for truth, defying societal expectations and embracing his true LGBTQ+ identity. Julia Watts weaves a tender and empowering narrative that celebrates the vibrancy of femme identity, individuality, and the unwavering pursuit of authenticity, even in the face of shocking revelations. Discover the power of resilience, chosen family bonds, and the extraordinary path to self-discovery in the pages of Needlework, a must-read for readers seeking a heartfelt LGBTQ+ tale that captivates with its authenticity, explores the complexities of family dynamics, and reminds us that embracing our true selves can lead to incredible personal growth.In a glowing review, Publishers Weekly hails Needlework as a "powerful and resonant exploration of identity, family, and self-discovery." This remarkable novel takes readers on a transformative journey, delving deep into the complexities of Kody's life, his unwavering spirit, and the extraordinary strength found within the stitches of love.

In a small Kentucky college town in 1953, two married women desperately fall in love with each other, until a moment of indiscretion threatens to destroy both their lives.In her new adult novel, award-winning author Julia Watts creates a compelling, emotional queer tale of power and passion. Colleagues and neighbors of Samuel and Boots are more than willing to accept their married status, even though Samuel “dresses like a boy” and the pair’s relationship is one of convenience that will never be consummated. But when Samuel meets a new professor’s wife, Frances, at a faculty party, she soon falls in love, and learns the difficulty of discretion in a small town—with tragic consequences. LAMBDA award-winning author Julia Watts (Needlework, Quiver) returns to adult fiction in this heartbreaking, yet hopeful novel. Highly recommended for fans of Lauren Groff, Rosie Walsh, and Alexandria Bellefleur.