by Beth Staats
Quick Summary
Winner of an American Library Association Stonewall Award, Beautiful Music for Ugly Children, was written by Kirstin Cronn-Mills.
Winner of an American Library Association Stonewall Award, Beautiful Music for Ugly Children, was written by Kirstin Cronn-Mills. The Stonewall Award is for a work of exceptional merit for children or teens relating to the GLBT experience. Cronn-Mills received her PhD from Iowa State University and currently teaches at South Central College and lives in North Mankato. Known to his classmates as Elizabeth, but transitioning to Gabe, the main character is navigating through life's challenges and difficulties including, starting his own community radio show, graduating from high school, having feelings for a close female friend, and all while dealing with familial and societal resistance. For grades 8 and up, this book, according to Kirkus Reviews is "a kind and satisfyingly executed portrait of a music-loving teen coming out as transgender." You can access it freely via Ebooks Minnesota at http://tinyurl.com/hmuxsoe.
