God Loves Hair
Illustrator
Juliana Neufeld
Publisher
Arsenal Pulp Press
Publication Year
2014
ISBN
9781551525433
Pages
110 pages
Genre
realism
Format
picturebook
Item Type
Fiction
Annotation
A collection of twenty-one short stories following a tender, intellectual, and curious child of Indian origin as he navigates the complex realms of sexuality, gender, racial politics, religion, and belonging. "I am often mistaken for a girl. Not just because I like to wear dresses or makeup. I don't mind. My parents are from India and here is not quite home. School isn't always safe and neither is my body. But I feel safe in my love for God. And God loves hair."
Grade Level
6-8; 9-12
Diversity Topics
LGBTQ (Gender and Sexuality); Gay/Lesbian; Gender nonconformity; gay teenager; gender identity; gender expression; boys who dress like girls
Main Character
boy
Race/Ethnicities
Indian
Family Formation
mother and father
LGBTQ+
male/male
Awards
Lambda Literary Award, 2011, Finalist, LGBT Children's/Young Adult
Booklist Book Review Stars, 2014
Booklist Top 10 Multicultural Fiction for Youth, 2015 Fiction
Booklist Top 10 Religion and Spirituality Books for Youth, 2014
Quill & Quire Books of the Year, 2014 Picture Book
Rainbow List, 2011 Young Adult/ Crossover Fiction
USBBY Outstanding International Books, 2015 Grades 9-12
Keywords
India; Canada; religion; culture; coming of age; sexuality; short stories
Diversity Impact
direct
STARS Citation
Shraya, Vivek, "God Loves Hair" (2014). Diverse Families. 1322.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/diversefamilies/1322