Literacy Matters Winter 2022

Encouraging students to unpack and challenge systemic sexual violence requires extreme care in conceptualization and execution. Success rests on developing a strong community of trust and respect among participants. Tim’s thoughtful response to the conclusion of the novel speaks to the critical development that occurred during the book study and reinforces the importance of dialogic spaces like the one created in this book study. But I am also reminded of the importance of staying reflexive to broadening and deepening my understanding of sociocultural systems of power, my praxis of critical pedagogies, and of what my students can teach me.

However, even allowing for limitations within the genre, it is important to remember that no book is perfect. For example, the group expressed much skepticism about the novel’s tidy, relatively happy ending. Tim specifically commented, “As nice as it would be, change doesn’t happen overnight, it takes exhaustive, long-term efforts of time, commitment, and focus to slowly dismantle the system.” Had I been conducting a formal class with multiple readings, assignments, and more time to discuss, I can envision how many participants could begin to pull back from their binary, heteronormative understandings of rape culture to make space for intersectional identities. At the end of this article, I identify some YA texts that could be used to focus more intentionally on LGBTQ+ dimensions of rape culture.

Recommended YAL for Queering Rape Culture: YA Title Description Girl Made of Stars by Ashley Herring Blake (2018)

Literacy Matters General Articles

Mara thinks she knows everything worth knowing about her twin brother, Owen, until Mara’s friend accuses him of rape. Mara struggles to manage the expectations of her family, a confusing ex, and her sense of justice. To find a way through Mara must confront tough questions about consent and sexual violence. Riley starts an anonymous blog to vent their pent-up feelings about what it’s like to be a closeted gender fluid teenager in an über conservative community. When the blog goes viral and Riley’s exposure is threatened, they must choose whether to stay hidden or stand up. When Jess arrives at college, she hears rumors that there’s a trans girl in her dorm. To protect whoever it is, Jess says it’s her, even though it’s not. As an out lesbian, she assumes she can deal with the hate, but it’s worse than she—or Ella, the true target—could have imagined. Astrid Jones copes with the narrowmindedness in her small town by watching the airplanes that fly over her backyard and imagining that she’s sending love to the passengers inside. The community will never allow her to love the person she really wants to: another girl named Dee. But then her own life intersects with the passengers she’s been sending love to, and everything changes. Max and Jordan are completely incompatible. Max’s confident, laid-back manner clashes with socially awkward Jordan’s angst. But forced proximity in an old food truck helps them connect in ways that set each on a path to overcome their inner demons and decide what they’re willing to risk to get what they want. Kendra cuts to cope with memories of childhood sexual abuse, especially because she can recall her abuser’s identity. When her abuser starts following her and leaving threatening messages, Kendra must figure out how to process her past and stop self-harming before it’s too late. Max Walker is a perfect son and perfect friend, but he has a secret: He’s intersex. His family is determined to keep Max’s secret from coming to light, especially now that his dad is running for Parliament. When an old friend breaks Max’s trust, he must figure out who really is if he is no longer the Golden Boy.

Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin (2016)

Just Girls by Rachel Gold (2014)

Ask the Passengers by A.S. King (2012)

The Music of What Happens by Bill Konigsberg (2019)

Scars by Cheryl Rainfield (2011)

Golden Boy by Abigail Tarttelin (2013)

Literacy Matters | Volume 22 • Winter 2022 | 19 |

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