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A 6th grader speaks out about his queerness, Blackness, and the love that dismantles whiteness.
About the author
ANASTASIA HIGGINBOTHAM is the author and illustrator of
Divorce Is the Worst,
Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness,
Death Is Stupid, and
Tell Me About Sex, Grandma-all part of the Ordinary Terrible Things series. She lives in Brooklyn. Librarians love her, but not as much as she loves them.
Summary
A 6th grader speaks out about his queerness, Blackness, and the love that dismantles whiteness.
Foreword
15-city author tour (New York City, Brooklyn, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Chicago, Minneapolis, Detroit, Ann Arbor, Raleigh-Durham, and more)Pre-pub galley mailingPre-pub media push to coincide with National Coming Out Day (October 11)Extensive librarian and educator outreachNational online, radio, and print media campaignCollaboration with GLSEN and other national organizations for promotionCross-promotion on https://anastasiahigginbotham.com/Featured promotion at book festivals and conventionsMajor social media outreach
Additional text
Most children, gay or not, in or out, are sure to find themselves within these pages. The message that “all you need is to be you” will stay with readers long after the last page, in a book for LGBTQIA+ collections and beyond.
—SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
Presents an inspiring vision of what queer kids can be with the love and support of family, friends, and educators.
—MOMBIAN
Anastasia Higginbotham shows what it means to be queer and Black growing up in America today through the eyes of Demetrius. Exploring the love and acceptance Demetrius feels from his family and friends and the fear of growing up when you aren’t what society deems to be “normal.”
—MS. MAGAZINE
What You Don’t Know shows a world where queer kids are allowed to be whole. Anastasia’s collage work is original, funny, and deeply evocative, depicting the fear and hope of being young and LGBTQ+ in today’s changing and volatile world, and the transformative power of allies.
—RACHEL AIMEE, Executive Director, Drag Queen Story Hour NYC
What You Don't Know is an ontological investigation and a treatise on love, disguised as a children's book. It is sure to make many kids (and their parents) feel seen.
—COOPER LEE BOMBARDIER, author of Pass with Care: Memoirs
I think the days of Heather Has Two Mommies are long past. We're ready for GLBTQIA+ stories for kids that are a little bit complicated and a little bit interesting and a whole lotta fantastic. For all this, the person you turn to is Anastasia Higginbotham.
—BETSY BIRD, Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library
Given the relentless stream of news, there’s a temptation right now to numb ourselves. But Ms. Higginbotham’s work reminds us that, even if we ignore reality, our kids are still seeing it and feeling it.
—THE NEW YORK TIMES
Divorce, death, sex, race: Higginbotham takes many of today’s most complex issues and translates them for young readers with her book series Ordinary Terrible Things.
—PEOPLE
Anastasia Higginbotham has the honor and distinction of being the most challenged author during my time working in libraries—but her books remain on our shelves. She tackles difficult topics in a straightforward and age-appropriate way. That may ruffle some feathers, but her books are an asset to a well-balanced collection.
—JOANNA KATZ, librarian, Tennessee
