Episode 6: LGBTQIAP+ Middle Grade Books

Gear up, middle grade writers! The mamas have invited YA novelist John Petrie to join the podcast for episode 6. Petrie breaks down his process for researching sports romances while sharing with our cis gender mamas amazing insights into the history of queer books. Put on your mask, open your mind, and walk in someone else’s shoes as the Two Lit Mamas and One Lit Godfather chat about middle grade books full of LGBTQIAP+ characters and culture.  Rick by Alex GinoRick knows middle school is new and intimidating. He knows he’s the last one at home now that his siblings are in college. He knows he’s not a jerk like his best friend Jeff. But sometimes Rick worries those are the only things he knows. With the help of some new friends and an amazing grandparent, Rick learns that not knowing is perfectly fine. My Mixed-Up Berry Blue Summer by Jennifer GennariJune Farrell’s pies are some of the very best in Vermont, even if she’s only 12 years old. June plans to showcase her skills in the upcoming Champlain County Fair until arguments over Vermont’s civil union laws put her family and their livelihood in danger. But it takes more than some bullies to deter June from her making pies and embracing her new family. Meet the Guest Star: John PetrieJohn Petrie grew up in Boston and now lives in the Bronx, NY. He's spent most of his life around books, from his days as a teenage library assistant to over twenty years as a bookseller and writer. His work has appeared in True Romance magazine as well as in his two most recent YA books for Harmony Ink Press:The Quarterback's CrushBuried Secrets He can be reached at [email protected] and on twitter at johnpetriewrite Episode Reference Links:John Petrie’s podcast: Don’t Sue Us Please PodcastTrying Hard to Hear You by Sandra ScoppettonePeter by Kate WalkerSome Day This Pain Will Be Useful to You by Peter CameronFive Six Seven Nate and Better Nate Than Ever by Tim FederleTwo Lit Mamas Blog