Proud

A stirring, bold and moving anthology of stories and poetry by top LGBTQ+ YA authors and new talent, giving their unique responses to the broad theme of pride. Each story has an illustration by an artist identifying as part of the LGBTQ+ community.

A boy’s coming out is overshadowed by gay penguins, a music-loving teen overcomes her shyness about approaching a girl and a trans boy joins a ragtag football team. From a China where a lantern-maker has a pet phoenix to the Travelodge hideout of two teens on the run, these stories shine with glorious moments of pride.

Selling points

• Authors and illustrators who identify as LGBTQ+; a much-needed contribution to diversity in publishing.
• Compiled by Juno Dawson, author and activist, whose books include This Book is Gay and Clean.
• Authors include: Dean Atta, Fox Benwell, Caroline Bird, Tanya Byrne, Moïra Fowley-Doyle, Simon James Green, David Levithan and Jess Vallance, and debut voices: Karen Lawler, Michael Lee Richardson, Cynthia So and Kay Staples.
• Each story has an accompanying illustration by an LGBTQ+ artist: Steve Antony, Kate Alizadeh, Alex Bertie, Fatti Burke, Frank Duffy, Leo Greenfield, Saffa Khan, Priyanka Meenakshi, Alice Oseman, David Roberts, Kristen Van Dam and Kameron White.
• A natural and important addition to the Stripes list after the celebrated A Change is Gonna Come, winner of the YA Book Prize Special Achievement Award 2018.