Read With Pride: Queer Young Adult Literature Mini-Talk

If you find yourself around SDSU on Wednesday, November 7th be sure to stop by Love Library's Juvenile Collection on the 4th floor. Our very own Dr. Angel Daniel Matos will be giving a short talk that will highlight the growing LGBTQ+ young adult literature collection at our library. This collection has been organized by Linda Salem by working closely with the NCSCL and The Pride Center of SDSU. In explaining her goal with curating this collection Linda Salem states, "I want to raise students' awareness of The Pride Center on campus and that they have books at the center and that the library's collection also has an up-to-date collection of rainbow literature for readers of all ages." Some of these books will be put on display at the library for everyone to see, but many more are to be found both in and out of the library. This event will work towards expanding the awareness of anyone who is curious about learning more about LGBTQ+ narratives!

Looking at queer young adult literature, specifically, enables many opportunities for learning and understanding. For this reason, it is important to understand where this genre of literature has grown from and the power that it holds today. Dr. Matos explains the value in reading these books by stating, "Queer young adult literature pushes us to envision outcomes and futures that are sometimes different from our current realities. Many of these novels push us to imagine a future that is bearable and livable for all people." Being reminded that these novels depict the difficulties that many LGBTQ+ people face, but also provide a hopeful and more positive outlook can help readers in their own lives. To encounter these narratives, as Dr. Matos explains, then allows for readers to imagine possibilities for everyone to live as a happy collective, regardless of how difficult reality may be.

After asking Dr. Matos what his talk would be about, he responded, " I aim to provide some historical context for the queer young adult genre, in which I provide an overview of how LGBTQ+ young adult literature has developed over the decades, the state of these novels today, and where I think the genre is heading." So, to learn a little more history of how this genre emerged and bloomed into mainstream society today, come by and hear what Dr. Matos has to say. There will be time dedicated for questions after his lecture for anyone who is curious to learn more about the matter.

If you are interested in studying this genre more closely, Dr. Matos will be teaching two courses in Spring 2019 that are centered on queer young adult novels. First, he will be offering English 502: Adolescence in Literature - LGBTQ+ Young Adult Literature and ENGL 727: Theorizing Queer Young Adult Literature. In these classes, Dr. Matos highlights how "queer young adult literature provides readers and critics with opportunities to see how queer content possesses the capacity to deeply affect the structure, form, and narrativization of young adult texts." Because of the complexity that Dr. Matos mentions,  we can understand that young adult literature is not only important for general audiences, but also serves as a great source of analysis within academic contexts. Check out previous classes that Dr. Matos has taught and the work he has written on this subject by clicking here and follow him on Twitter @ProfAngelMatos!


If you are someone who is already familiar with the genre, or even if you have a curiosity to learn more about it, be sure to stop by on the 7th. Do not forget to bring your questions to Dr. Matos or any one of us present at the event. We hope you see you all there!

-A. Elliott

Event details:

Wednesday, November 7th at 2:30 pm

Juvenile Collection (located on Love Library's 4th floor)

Talk by Dr. Angel Daniel Matos

Free and open to the public