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SEATTLE – “Julián is a Mermaid” by Jessica Love and published by Candlewick Press, and “Hurricane Child” by Kheryn Callender and published by Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic Inc., are the 2019 recipients of the Stonewall Book Awards – Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children’s & Young Adult Literature Award. The award was announced today by the 91��ý’s (91��ý) Stonewall Book Awards - Children’s and Young Adult Subcommittee of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Round Table, during the 91��ý Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits held Jan. 25 - 29, in Seattle, Washington.

The Stonewall Book Awards are given annually to English-language works of exceptional merit for children or teens relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience. The award will be presented to the winning authors or editors at the 91��ý Annual Conference & Exhibition in Washington, D.C. in June.

“These books deal so beautifully with intersectional identities of race, gender, class, and affectional orientations, and can be read and enjoyed by readers of many ages,” said Stonewall Book Awards – Children’s and Young Adult Subcommittee Chair Kathleen Breitenbach.

Julián from Jessica Love’s “Julián is a Mermaid,” loves mermaids. After seeing some on the train, his enchantment grows. When Julián gets home, he decides to become one. But what does his abuela think? Fluid imagery from first page to last presents a joyful ode to individuality, body positivity, and affirmation of unconditional love.

In “Hurricane Child” by Kheryn Callender, twelve-year-old Caroline seems ill-fated since the moment she was born in the middle of a hurricane. Her mother disappears 11 years later, leaving Caroline feeling like a boat without an anchor. When she befriends the new girl, Kalinda, her life takes a turn for the magical and unexpected.

Two Stonewall Book Awards – Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children’s & Young Adult Award Honor Books were named: “Ivy Aberdeen’s letter to the world,” written by Ashley Herring Blake and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc. After a tornado destroys her home, Ivy’s family is thrown into chaos when her beloved sketchbook goes missing. Displaced and feeling invisible, she must solve the mystery of who took it and find the courage to navigate her first crush.

“Picture us in the light,” written by Kelly Loy Gilbert and published by Hyperion, an imprint of Disney Book Group. Chinese-American teen Danny Cheng is surrounded by secrets, including his sexuality and crush on his best friend Harry, guilt over a classmate’s suicide, as well as his parents’ mysterious past. But soon, truths are revealed that will forever change their lives.

The members of the 2019 Stonewall Book Awards - Children’s and Young Adult Subcommittee are: Chair Kathleen Breitenbach, Hamilton (N.J.) Township Public Library; Kristi Chadwick, Massachusetts Library System, Northampton, Mass.; Mary Gen Davies, Chicago Public Library; Lizabeth L. Deskins, retired, formerly of Hilliard (Ohio) City School District; M'issa Fleming, New Orleans Public Library; Ariana Sani Hussain, St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School, Washington, D.C.; Miriam Medow, Oakland (Calif.) Public Library; David C. Saia, Heim Middle School, Williamsville, N.Y.; and Hadeal Salamah, District of Columbia Public Library, Washington, D.C.

For information on the Stonewall Book Awards – Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children’s & Young Adult Literature Award and other 91��ý Youth Media Awards, please visit .

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Round Table of the 91��ý is the oldest professional association for GLBT people in the United States. It is committed to serving the information needs of the GLBT professional library community and information and access needs of individuals at large. It is home to GLBT Book Month (tm), a nationwide celebration every June and the Stonewall Book Award, the oldest award honoring GLBT books. GLBTRT is committed to encouraging and supporting the free and necessary access to all information, as reflected by the missions of the 91��ý and democratic institutions.

91��ý (91��ý) is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, 91��ý has been the trusted voice of libraries, advocating for the profession and the library’s role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit . To make a contribution to support our work, visit ala.org/donate.