Needlework
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- $12.99
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
***"Great Reads from Great Places" selection by State of Tennessee for Library of Congress National Book Festival
***Honorable Mention, Foreword Indies award for Young Adult Fiction
***Lambda Literary Recommended LGBTQ+ Young Adult Fiction
In rural Kentucky, 16-year-old Kody loves quilting, cooking, and Dolly Parton and helps his grandma with the challenges of his mother's opioid addiction, until the discovery of a shocking family secret changes everything.
In this captivating LGBTQ+ young adult tale that weaves together the heartwarming authenticity of Phil Stamper's work and the empowering spirit of Aiden Thomas, Kody embarks on a quest for truth, defying societal expectations and embracing his true LGBTQ+ identity. Julia Watts weaves a tender and empowering narrative that celebrates the vibrancy of femme identity, individuality, and the unwavering pursuit of authenticity, even in the face of shocking revelations. Discover the power of resilience, chosen family bonds, and the extraordinary path to self-discovery in the pages of Needlework, a must-read for readers seeking a heartfelt LGBTQ+ tale that captivates with its authenticity, explores the complexities of family dynamics, and reminds us that embracing our true selves can lead to incredible personal growth.
In a glowing review, Publishers Weekly hails Needlework as a "powerful and resonant exploration of identity, family, and self-discovery." This remarkable novel takes readers on a transformative journey, delving deep into the complexities of Kody's life, his unwavering spirit, and the extraordinary strength found within the stitches of love.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Raised by his proud, traditional grandmother, Kody Prewitt, 16, is a responsible young man with an oft-criticized love of quilting, Golden Girls, and Dolly Parton. With his father incarcerated for armed robbery; his chronically unemployed mother, who struggles with opioid addiction, living in a nearby trailer; and his nine-year-old brother taken in by their uncle and his wife, Kody's closest confidante is Nanny, but neither his grandmother nor his devout Christian best friend Lexy Jo know about "Dolly Dress-Up Hour," when he dons his hidden makeup and wig. An unexpected message from his alleged half sister—the child of an affair between Kody's white mother and a Black man while she was married to Kody's abusive father—forces truths about Kody's family and his own identity into the light. Watts (Quiver) depicts queer existence in a conservative white Appalachian town with realism and, effectively, hope. Even as Kody experiences harm caused by those closest to him, he never doubts his value, a characterization that proves validating in this poignant exploration of the generational trauma caused by poverty, addiction, and racism, and of the power of being loved for oneself. Ages 15–up.
