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The Queer Girl is Going to Be Okay by Dale Walls

  • Writer: Maya Fielding
    Maya Fielding
  • Aug 22, 2024
  • 5 min read
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Bibliographic Information:


Title: The Queer Girl is Going to Be Okay


Author: Dale Walls


Publisher: Levine Querido


Copyright Date: November 2023


ISBN: 9781646142705


Format: Prose Print Book


Genre: Contemporary Fiction/ Poetry/ LGBTQIA+/ BIPOC Voice


Awards: None yet


Interest Level: Grade 8 and up (School Library Journal)


Plot Summary:

Dawn, Edie, and Georgia are counting down the days to their future. It's their senior year and they are on the cusp of adventure, whatever and wherever it might hold.

For Dawn, she works tirelessly on her documentary The Queer Girl is Going to Be Okay and has entered into a film festival where she might win a full ride to film school. Her project revolves around queer love and what it means to her and her peers. If only she can find it? Searching for her own queer love, finishing her documentary, and taking care of her dad may be too much for one girl to handle.

Edie is a star scholar with parents who are determined that she live a stellar and respectable life adhering to their religious ideals. But they don't know Edie, and Edie may not even know herself. As Edie is caught up in her own lies and untruths she pretends to be someone she is not to keep her parents happy. But is this rouse messing with her relationship with her partner and even herself?

Georgia's a creative. She is a poet and a writer, it's what she cares about. Unfortunately she doesn't "school" as well as her teachers would like, but she tries. As her friends begin receiving college acceptance letters and plan for their futures, Georgia is scared she might not get in anywhere. Georgia must balance her fear of the unknown with interacting with the people around her especially an

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unwanted one, her mom's new boyfriend.


Author Background:

"Dale Walls is a San Francisco based author, culture writer, and curator. They are currently pursuing an art history PhD and are a Knight-Hennessy Scholar at Stanford University. Dale has written for Teen Vogue, Artsy, and Google Arts and Culture and is a 2022 Lambda Literary Fellow" (Dale Walls, n.d.). The Queer Girl is Going to Be Okay is their first book of hopefully many.

Critical Evaluation:

I found this book in a little free library. This is the first Young adult novel I am reading to expand my blog while no longer being an MLIS student but as a graduate. I have not heard anything about this book before reading it and thought it might be middle grade based on the super bright colors of the cover. I did not know what to expect from this book but I was surprised in more ways than one. This novel is absolutely for the young adult audience and focuses on very real situations that many teens experience. In fact I can't believe how many topics Dale was able to fit into this 250 paged novel and in such a deep and meaningful way. The visibility in this book is so diverse and rich and is sure to reach so many teens, way more than typical YA literature can. What I really need to point out is the absolutely magnificent writing this story has. It is one of the most unexpectedly beautifully written novels I have read. Dale made me laugh and feel things so deeply while using some of the most stunning language. My absolute favorite line I have ever read and is now my new motto for life: "She was her own favorite color." Like, WHAT that is the best thing I have ever read!

Creative Use for Library Program:

Teen Documentary Film Festival- Like Dawn, teens at the library can enter in an original documentary about teen life. Complete with an award festival showing off all the entered documentaries, the library will also award the winner with either a subscription to an editing/film software, new equipment, or a class at the local community college.

Teen Scarys Button- One scene from this novel features Georgia and her love interest on a bridge screaming their fears out into the world. I found this to be so powerful and cathartic! Librarian will record willing teens speaking a fear they have. Once enough recordings are captured, librarian will overlap the recordings so that all the teen scarys are spoken at once. This recording can be put on a red button (like a that was easy button) and placed next to a display of the book or about the library with a sign saying "What are your peers scared of?" or "What are our teens scared of?" This will show teens that they are all worried about something and create connection.


Speed Round Book Talk:

Dawn Salcedo invites you into her studio and asks you to do an interview for her documentary. State your name and age and tell me what queer love means to you? ACTION!


Potential Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation:

With todays social and political climate, I would not be surprised if this book receives some attention from challengers. The title of the book is buzz worthy but done so in a purposeful way. Based on the trends of those who challenge books, some may point out the alcohol use, portrayal of teens as sexual creatures, or disinterest in following families religious values as issues in this book are negative and destructive. However, these would all be outrageous accusations. It is incredibly disheartening and down right sad that teens are not given spaces or lenses to experience their real life situations and culture. This is one of the most real YA novels I have read in that the voice, the content, and the situations are so very teen in the most relatable way. I think that even if this book gets some negative comments, Dale Walls titles this novel so perfectly to be a source for teens to find in whatever capacity they can when they need it.


Reason for Inclusion:

I am including this novel because it is absolutely fantastic for one, and for two, I think it reaches many teens in need. It discusses topics of gender, identity, sexuality, self-worth, future, safety, hope, love, and so much more. The title of this book is something that is engaging and is inviting for queer girls and queer youth overall. This is such a necessary modern piece of literature for the teen experience that needs to be on all YA library shelves.


Check Out:

Super gorgeous Fan Art by @sethpuertoluna featured by Dale on their X profile.

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References:



Chunn, Alec. (2023, December). The Queer Girl Is Going to Be Okay. School Library Journal. https://www.slj.com/review/the-queer-girl-is-going-to-be-okay


Dale Walls. (n.d.). About. Acessed August 2023 from https://www.dalewallsauthor.com/about


@dalewallsauthor. (2022, May). Here is an incredible illustration by

@sethpuertoluna of my main characters! Can’t wait for you all to meet Dawn, Georgia, and... [Post]. X. https://x.com/dalewallsauthor/status/1509550696214921216/photo/1


 
 
 

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