YA: Growing Up Queer Then and Now

Discovering and embracing your identity as a queer young person can be joyful, confusing, or downright dangerous, depending on when and where you’re growing up. These three authors offer historical and more contemporary narratives of growing up queer. Jen Ferguson’s stunning debut novel The Summer of Bitter and Sweet focuses on a Métis teen who contends with myriad issues and questions—including racism, generational trauma, sexual identity, and first love—over the course of a life-changing summer. Laura Gao’s graphic memoir Messy Roots finds the author striving to define (in sometimes cringingly hilarious ways) both their queerness and their identity as a Chinese immigrant to America. You won’t want to miss this candid exploration of the messy, joyous process of growing up, hosted by Cinnamongirl Kailynn.

The bookstore partner for this session is Pegasus Books! Buy the books online on their website, on Bookshop.org, or purchase them in person at the Festival. More information here.

Book signing information: Pegasus Books Tent at the Bookstore Blv (corner of Allston & Milvia in the Outdoor Fair) at in the park, 12:45 PM

With support from the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria