Description

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***"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.

About the Author

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Julia Watts is the author of fourteen novels and several short story collections in the genres of young adult fiction and lesbian fiction/erotica. Her books are set in her native Appalachia and often depict the lives of LGBTQ people in the Bible Belt. Her most recent novel, Needlework, was selected as Tennessee's youth selection for the "Great Reads from Great Places" list for the 2022 National Book Festival of the Library of Congress, and also won Honorable Mention for Best YA novel of the year in the Foreword INDIES awards.Her novel Finding H.F. (Alyson Press) won the Lambda Literary Award in the children/young adult category. Her novel, Quiver, set in rural Tennessee, received a rare "Perfect 10 Rating" from VOYA Magazine, and, along with several of her other novels, was selected for the American Library Association's Rainbow List. Her historical YA novel Secret City (Bella Books) was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award and a winner of a Golden Crown Literary Award. In 2020 Watts was given the Tennessee Library Association's Intellectual Freedom Award. She lives in Knoxville and is working on a PhD in Children's and Young Adult Literature at The University of Tennessee.