ALICE AUSTEN LIVED HERE

Middle schoolers Sam and TJ discover queer history on Staten Island.

Sam, who has pale skin and dirty-blond hair, and their best friend TJ, who has dark hair and tan skin, have to research a historical Staten Island figure for their boring, supertraditional history teacher. If they get the highest grade in the class, their report will be entered in a boroughwide contest to design a new statue for Staten Island Borough Hall. With help from some adult queer mentors, Sam discovers Alice Austen, a famous local photographer, lesbian, and, most exciting of all, former resident of Sam’s exact apartment. Even when another project gets the highest grade, Sam, TJ, and their queer family are not ready to give up on Alice Austen. The main character and their best friend are both nonbinary, and though it is mentioned that some people don’t understand this, they are supported by the important people in their lives. In fact, when talking to their older lesbian neighbor, they are shocked to learn how difficult life was for queer people in the past. Featuring relatable characters and an accessible plot, this book makes it clear that queer people have always existed and that they can be anywhere and any age. It also highlights the importance of queer history and intergenerational communication, though at times the writing can be clunky and overly earnest instead of letting the characters’ experiences speak for themselves.

Though somewhat didactic, this is an entertaining story stuffed with important lessons.