Summary: <p>Several months ago, we asked authors of different cultures, races, abilities, genders and orientations to tell us about the first time they saw themselves in the pages of a book. (<a href="http://oomscholasticblog.com/podcast/i-exist-why-representation-childrens-books-matters" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">You can listen to that episode here</a>.)</p> <p>We expected the answer. We knew it was coming. But still, it tore at us: Over and over, these authors said, "I didn't. I didn't see myself."</p> <p>At Scholastic, we are proud to publish books that give all<em> </em>children the chance to see themselves as heroes. But we know that we still have work to do. And part of that work is listening.</p> <p>So, this week, in celebration of Pride Month, we are spotlighting some of our LGBTQ+ authors who are writing to fill the void they felt growing up.</p> <p><strong>Contributing authors:</strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://billkonigsberg.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bill Konigsberg, author of <em>Honestly Ben</em></a></li> <li><a href="https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/books/sparrow-by-sarah-moon/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sarah Moon, author of <em>Sparrow</em></a></li> <li> <a href="http://www.alexgino.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Alex Gino</a>, <a href="https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/books/george-by-alex-gino/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">author of <em>George</em></a> </li> <li><a href="http://kodykeplinger.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kody Keplinger, author of <em>Run</em></a></li> <li><a href="https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/books/i-felt-a-funeral-in-my-brain-by-will-walton/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Will Walton, author of <em>I Felt a Funeral In My Brain</em></a></li> <li> <a href="http://jessicaverdi.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Jessica Verdi,</a> <a href="https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/books/the-unraveling-of-us-by-jessica-verdi/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">author of <em>And She Was</em></a> </li> <li><a href="http://talkinginthedark.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Billy Merrell, author of <em>Vanilla</em></a></li> </ul><p><strong>Additional resources:</strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="http://oomscholasticblog.com/podcast/i-exist-why-representation-childrens-books-matters" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Listen to episode #50: I Exist: Why Representation in Children's Books Matters</a></li> <li><a href="http://oomscholasticblog.com/post/10-books-help-you-read-pride" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Learn more about Scholastic's #ReadWithPride campaign</a></li> </ul><p><strong>Special thanks:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Music composed by Lucas Elliot Eberl</li> <li>Sound mix and editing by Chris Johnson</li> <li>Produced by Emily Morrow</li> </ul>
