Title: Here and Queer: A Queer Girl’s Guide to Life
Author: Rowan Ellis
Genre: Nonfiction, LGBT
Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
Publication: 5/31/2022
Read: June 2022
Format: Physical Book
Pages: 160
Rating: 5 Caffeinated Stars
Trigger Warnings: Mention of homophobia & bullying

Goodreads Summary:

Here and Queer is a helpful, friendly guide full of support and advice about living your best queer life, written for girls. 

This vibrant, inclusive guide, designed for all kinds of girls, is designed to help you be the strongest, proudest, happiest version of yourself! A celebration of the gift of queerness, it’s packed full of heartfelt advice, comforting stories, and stylish illustrations, and will give you the tools you need to explore your own identity, on your own terms.

Author and YouTuber Rowan Ellis uses her personal experience to take you through queer life, from coming out and dealing with tough stuff, right through to finding friendships and celebrating Pride. There are also brilliant guest essays from contributors across the LGBTQ+ spectrum.

The book opens with guidance on understanding how you feel as a queer girl. From choosing your pronouns to navigating different labels and identities, Ellis helps girls understand that they are in control of their own identity, and that it’s ok to not be sure straight away.

Moving onto a glossary of queer terms, Here and Queer helps introduce girls to the rainbow of definitions and terms which help queer people understand who they are and how they feel. The book then moves onto advice on coming out, for many one of the hardest steps to take on their journey to truly living their best lives.

Following are chapters on sex and romance, including helpful advice about your first time, as well as guides on consent and knowing how to make sure you build a healthy and supportive relationship with your partner.

There are also sections on dealing with bullies and stigma, finding your community, and looking after your mental health, including advice on how to help you find extra support if you need it. The book also has more information on queer ladies in history, and on the fight for equality undertaken by brave activists throughout history and today.

Stylishly designed with cool illustrations, this helpful, friendly guide will help all queer girls navigate the challenges of discovering and embracing their identities and flourishing in their own skins! 

My Thoughts:

I know this isn’t my typical type of book, but when I saw this book offered on Amazon Vine, I knew I needed to pick it up. When I grew up in the 90’s & 2000’s books like this didn’t exist (that I know of), but I’m glad that the next generation can go into a bookstore and find an LGBTQ+ affirming book to help them through the rough parts of life.

This book is exactly what I would have loved my younger self to read. Heck, I probably wouldn’t have hid in the closet for 31 years if I had a book that talked openly and joyfully about being LGBTQ+. This book has everything you could want, from dealing with bullies to finding the community and a small section on consent and when you’re ready to go all the way in a relationship and how to do it safely.

This is a great book that deals with more challenging topics (bullying, homophobia, etc.) but also has joy and love in it. This is not full of tragic stories but still tells (age-appropriate) history without trauma dumping. Being Gay in our world can be terrifying, so I was happy that this book celebrates the joy of being gay.

Want to read the book? Here is where you can buy it! Amazon