“Presented in a breezy, conversational tone that will engage teens and make them laugh.… Should be placed in the hands of every LGBTQ teen so they’ll know that not only are they not alone, but they have a rich and diverse history–as well as the straight ones who should know that history too.”
—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“A rich exploration of gender identity and sexuality across time and nation, […] offer[ing] strong insight into the lives of individuals who broke barriers or simply lived life on their own terms.”
—Publisher’s Weekly, starred review
“Written with a pop culture sensibility that will appeal to teen readers, the collection is a fascinating look at history through a different lens than what most history books provide. […] But don’t let her breezy style make you doubt Prager’s seriousness as a researcher. She has dug deep into the history vaults for biographical information, and includes quotes from letters and interviews, as evidenced in her extensive bibliography and notes section. Each chapter is introduced with Zoë More O’Ferrall’s friendly pen-and-ink portraits of the subject. Hurray for Sarah Prager’s own splendid contribution to queer history!”
—Shelf Awareness, starred review
“Perfect for those looking for a fun and accessible resource on queer historical figures. Thanks to Prager’s extensive research and O’Ferrall’s eye-catching illustrations, readers will discover the many individuals (including Frida Kahlo, Abraham Lincoln, and Alan Turing) and their impact on history — whether their names were celebrated or not. ”
—Entertainment Weekly
“Prager takes you on an amazing and amusing journey through history by focusing on 23 influential queer figures, most of whom you’ve probably never heard of. […] With fascinating facts, cool illustrations, and a pop culture vibe, Queer, There, and Everywhere really does (excuse the corny cliché) make learning fun.”
—The Advocate
“The book’s tone is chatty, vivid, and informative, and it reminds readers that the human spectrum of sexuality and gender is not a modern invention.”
— Boston Globe
“A lively and informative introduction to queer history.”
—Booklist
“If you’re interested in learning how the gay rights struggle started–and where we are now—this is the perfect place to start.”
—Seventeen
“Queer, There, and Everywhere is so conversational, fast paced, and infused with pop culture sensibilities that it tricks you into forgetting it’s a series of (incredibly timely) biographies. An absolute must-read for people interested in their queer forebears, or for anyone who doesn’t already know the majesty of Elagabalus, Empress of Rome.”
—Meredith Russo, author of Stonewall Award-winner If I Was Your Girl
“Accessible, irreverent, and meticulously researched, at times heartbreaking and just as often wildly funny, this stunningly diverse survey of queer histories is a nourishing and inspiring addition to our arsenal of queer possibilities. Should be required reading for all of us, queer or not.”
—Sarah McCarry, author of the LAMBDA Award-nominated About a Girl
“Wow. It isn’t easy to tell stories from across time and space of lives we would now call queer. Much less in an I-can’t-put-this-book-down way. Sarah Prager has done it, showing us all how to ‘live bravely.’”
—Leila J. Rupp, author of Sapphistries: A Global History of Love between Women, co-editor of Understanding and Teaching U.S. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender History, and professor at UC Santa Barbara
“Reading this book is like discussing history with a really good (and really smart) friend—free of pretentiousness, full of wisdom, dispatched in a casual, but informative way. Queer, There, and Everywhere is a desperately needed and absolutely brilliant breath of fresh air. A must-read!”
—Shane Bitney Crone, activist and producer/subject of the Bridegroom documentary
“In Queer, There and Everywhere Sarah Prager does the impossible: she takes several millennia of complicated history and makes it accessible and fun for young readers. Prager tells us twenty-three fascinating stories, some of them new twists on familiar ones (like Abraham Lincoln) as well as ones about figures that history has nearly forgotten (like the Roman Emperor Elagabalus), mixing light-hearted humor with impeccable scholarship so that the reader keeps turning the page to see ‘what’s next.’ In short, Prager combines fun and facts to present an unforgettable overview of two thousand years of queer history.”
–Kevin Jennings, Founder of GLSEN, and Former Assistant Deputy Secretary of the US Department of Education, and author of Becoming Visible: A Reader in Gay and Lesbian History for High School & College Students
“Queer, There, and Everywhere is a powerful, educational book about the lives of twenty-three LGBTQ people who made important contributions to our society. This is an essential tool to educate the world about our LGBTQ heroes and leaders.”
—Jose Gutierrez, Founder of the Latino GLBT History Project and co-founder of the Rainbow History Project
“In this delightful and accessible book, Prager introduces us to a wide and diverse assortment of twenty-three historical figures who challenged the gender and/or sexuality norms of their time and place and changed the world. I enjoyed every story.”
—Robyn Ochs, Educator and co-editor of Getting Bi: Voices of Bisexuals around the World
“This is a great book about some remarkable people who show us the actual diversity of real life. Gender isn’t nearly as straightforward as most people pretend it is!”
—Dr. Susan Stryker, Author of Transgender History and director of the Emmy-winning film Screaming Queens: The Riot at Compton’s Cafeteria
“In this clever, breezy, and informative collection, Prager offers […] biographies of twenty-three individuals […] who have challenged heteronormative assumptions in various ways. […] End matter including a glossary, concluding essay, and source notes make this an even more useful tool, but really, the stars here are the chapters themselves, jam packed with direct quotes, sardonic authorial asides, and pro-love (in whatever form and with whomever you choose) messages.”
—Bulletin for the Center for Children’s Books
“One of my favorite books of the year.”
— Eric Smith, Book Riot
“Try and read this without becoming an emotional wreck. Just try. Queer, There, and Everywhere is an interesting, accessible, wonderful history book. […] From Ancient Rome to modern day San Francisco, a single resounding cry echoes through the millennia: You are not alone. I love that the author has remembered all these people so beautifully. She offers many of them in death what they were often denied in life – the correct gender pronouns – and, where possible, Prager has included direct quotes from them, capturing their humanity so that they become more than long-gone figures of history. They become painfully real. The relationship between Abraham Lincoln and Joshua had me in tears, as did the love between Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon. Just… a beautiful book. The author’s engaging, conversational tone made it so easy to read too. How I wish I had Queer, There, and Everywhere when I was a teen.”
—Emily May, #1 reviewer on Goodreads
“A valuable resource for all those queer kids out there. Let them know they are not alone. Let them know they have a history. This book is a lifeline and a gift.”
—Justin Sayre, writer, performer, and author of Husky
“Well written, timely, and interesting; the profiles include a thoughtful, varied mix of queer historical figures …. Prager has captured moments from thousands of years of queer history-making in a captivating, illuminating read.”
—Voice for Youth Advocates (VOYA)
“This gem of a book is a great starting point for learning about LGBTQ+ history and the queer rights movement.”
—Scottish Book Trust
“Written in a very conversational tone, this book is an important addition to library collections. Get this one up on your displays—there are plenty of teens who will be so glad to see a spotlight being shone on the important contributions of LGBTQIA+ people throughout history.”
—Teen Librarian Toolbox