Stage Dreams
Age 13+
Comic Strip Fiction / Graphic Novels
A rollicking YA western adventure full of robbery and romance
In this rollicking queer western adventure, acclaimed cartoonist Melanie Gillman (Stonewall Award Honor Book As the Crow Flies) puts readers in the saddle alongside Flor and Grace, a Latinx outlaw and a trans runaway, as they team up to thwart a Confederate plot in the New Mexico Territory. When Flor—also known as the notorious Ghost Hawk—robs the stagecoach that Grace has used to escape her Georgia home, the first thing on her mind is ransom. But when the two get to talking about Flor's plan to crash a Confederate gala and steal some crucial documents, Grace convinces Flor to let her join the heist.
Creators
Melanie Gillman is an award-winning cartoonist and colored pencil artist who draws positive queer and trans comics for young readers. They are based in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Reviews
Melanie Gillman’s beautifully crafted YA graphic adventure reveals the hitherto little-known historic diversity of the Old West.
An engrossing escapade with a heart-stealing queer romance.
Kirkus Reviews
An illuminating western with a refreshingly matter-of-fact queer romance.
Booklist
Exploring themes of gender nonconformity and transgender identity, Gillman deftly avoids anachronisms through their emotive and subtle characterizations of Grace and Flor. The illustrations are gently shaded in colored pencil, the softness underscoring the sweetness of the characters. Despite the rough, Wild West setting, Gillman finds opportunities for tender moments. A thoughtfully researched appendix provides ample historical context. VERDICT This charming and poignant queer romance set against a Civil War–era backdrop will resonate with readers.
School Library Journal
