My Story Book Club
The Official LGBT Young Adult Book Club of the LGBT Writers in Schools Program
~A safe place where LGBT youth and their supporters can read a story like their own.~
Our Book for May 2013:
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship—the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And it is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be.
*Printz Honor Book *Stonewall Award winner *Pura Belpre Award winner *Lambda Literary Award Finalist
A novel
By Benjamin Alire Saenz
Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
$17.99
ISBN: 9781442408920
368 pp, February 2012
Buy a copy for yourself through the official independent bookstore of My Story Book Club, Skylight Books or donate a copy here.
Study Guide
A Reading Group Guide to Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz About the Book When Aristotle, a loner, meets Dante at the swimming pool, the two strike up an unparalleled relationship. Dante is everything Aristotle wishes he were: articulate, smart, and self-confident. Together they begin questioning the secrets of the universe and navigating the painful journey from adolescence into adulthood. Sharing books, dreams, a near-fatal accident, and a year apart, the two discover the power of their friendship and develop an inseparable bond.
Lee Wind of I’m Here. I’m Queer. What the Hell Do I Read?
interviews Monica Carter about My Story
As part of our LGBT Writers in Schools program and our growing mission to promote the acceptance of LGBT works, their authors and LGBT students in schools, we are launching a national online book club for LGBT youth. Lambda Literary Foundation, in partnership with the Gay/Straight Educators Alliance and the National Council of Teachers of English, aim to provide readers 14 years-old and up the opportunity to read and discover LGBT works in a safe and protective atmosphere.
Covering many genres including fiction, memoir and poetry, My Story is a place where LGBT youth and their supporters can read a story like their own and participate in an open discussion with like-minded readers. Focused on providing an open and welcoming atmosphere online, My Story exposes diversity in the positive and creative conduit of literature.
Each month, we will introduce a LGBT work geared towards young adults with compelling discussions, polls, play lists, author commentary and trivia.
Why Donate?
For a flat rate twenty dollar donation, a copy of the current My Story Book Club monthly selection is purchased and sent to a community center, high school, or nonprofit organization that is building its own LGBT library. Because of funding cuts, these organizations can’t afford to supply their libraries with books even though there is a demand from teens to read and discuss them. Unfortunately, these economic challenges affect the smaller cities and towns where these books are most needed. Often there are few resources for LGBT youth and one book that reflects their own experience can make a positive difference during a vulnerable time in their lives. Once you’ve made your donation, our official partner, Skylight Books, will send the book to a community center, high school, or nonprofit organization in need. Please consider helping a youth by donating a copy today. Your support makes a difference!
If you’re high school, community center, or non-profit organization is interested in receiving a donated copy, email Monica Carter.
Interested in Becoming a Guest Youth Moderator
for My Story?
A youth moderator, 14-18 years old, will check the My Story online activity daily. The moderator will also be expected to provide weekly discussion topics based on the pages/chapters read that week and promote thoughtful commentary from the group’s readers. They will also be expected to monitor and remove any offensive language or content posted. The moderators are there to provide and maintain a fun, safe and positive atmosphere in which readers can discuss openly LGBT works. If you would like to showcase your love for books, email Monica Carter at: mcarter@lambdaliterary.org.
INTERESTED IN STARTING YOUR OWN MY STORY BOOK CLUB?
High schools, community centers, LGBT organizations and libraries interested in holding their own My Story Book Club each month, please contact Monica Carter.
My Story and Skylight Books Partnership
As part of My Story’s dedication to community and diversity, we wanted to partner with an independent bookstore that reflected our mission and values. Skylight Books has always been a thriving cultural center in the local community and a proponent of LGBT literature. We are proud to have Skylight Books as our official partner.
Skylight Books is an independent bookstore (founded in 1996) in a 1930s storefront in Los Feliz, known for its curated selection of fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels, art books, LGBTQ-interest books, children’s books, and magazines. The store’s author events program includes many acclaimed LGBTQ authors, with recent events held for Jeanette Winterson, Eileen Myles, Dennis Cooper, Bret Easton Ellis, J. Halberstam, and many more.
LGBT Young Adult authors interested in participating in My Story, please contact Monica Carter at: mcarter@lambdaliterary.org.
