This informative and at times laugh-out-loud exploration of queer behaviors observed in the animal kingdom is a fascinating addition to any bookshelf.
NPR's "All Things Considered," calls Queer Ducks "teenager-friendly. It's a Printz Honor young adult book filled with comics and humor and accessible science, and it's filled with research on the diversity of sexual behavior in the animal world."
This groundbreaking illustrated YA nonfiction title from two-time National Book Award finalist and New York Times bestselling author Eliot Schrefer is a well-researched and teen-friendly exploration of the gamut of queer behaviors observed in animals.
A quiet revolution has been underway in recent years, with study after study revealing substantial same-sex sexual behavior in animals. Join celebrated author Eliot Schrefer on an exploration of queer behavior in the animal world—from albatrosses to bonobos to clownfish to doodlebugs.
In sharp and witty prose—aided by humorous comics from artist Jules Zuckerberg—Schrefer uses science, history, anthropology, and sociology to illustrate the diversity of sexual behavior in the animal world. Interviews with researchers in the field offer additional insights for readers and aspiring scientists.
Queer behavior in animals is as diverse and complex—and as natural—as it is in our own species. It doesn’t set us apart from animals—it bonds us even closer to our animal selves.
Eliot Schrefer is a New York Times bestselling author and has twice been a finalist for the National Book Award in Young People’s Literature. His other awards include a Printz Honor, a Stonewall Honor, and the Green Earth Book Award. He is also the author of Charming Young Man, The Darkness Outside Us, Endangered, and Queer Ducks (and Other Animals): The Natural World of Animal Sexuality. He lives with his husband in New York City and is on the faculty of the Hamline University MFA in writing for children and young adults. Visit him online at eliotschrefer.com.
Table of Contents
Introduction The Immorality of Penguins [Interlude: Who I Am] 1
Chapter 1 Doodlebugs 13
It takes a lot of backbone to come out. Or does it? [Interlude: What Queer Means]
Chapter 2 Bonobos 29
Do we learn homosexuality or heterosexuality-or just unlearn bisexuality? [Q&A: Christine Webb, Primatologist]
Chapter 3 Fruit Flies 45
Is there a genetic basis for same-sex attraction? [Q&A: Sidney Woodruff, PhD Researcher]
Chapter 4 Bottlenose Dolphins 63
Are dolphins just gay sharks? (Or: Is there true homosexuality in animals?)
Chapter 5 Japanese Macaques 75
Where are all my ladies at? [Q&A: Mounica Kota, Evolutionary Biologist]
Chapter 6 Deer 91
Are there trans animals? [Q&A: Beans Velocci, Science Historian]
Chapter 7 Wrasse Fish 104
Do animals change sex? [Q&A: Max Lambert, Conservation Biologist]
Chapter 8 Albatross 118
Does sexuality require sex?
Chapter 9 Bulls 131
What could be manlier than sex between a couple of males? [Q&A: Logan Weyand, Wildlife Researcher]
Chapter 10 Ducks and Geese 145
What's the animal stance on polyamory? [Q&A: Dylan Sanborn, Wildlife Technician / Avian Biologist]
Contusion 164
Has anyone asked those penguins their take on all this?
Appendix 177
Six key sources for additional reading and viewing
The American Library Association honors books, videos, and more with their Youth Media Awards, most notably the Newbery, Caldecott, Coretta Scott King and Printz Book Awards. Representing outstanding children’s and young adult literature, these award winners and honor books are must-read stories and make excellent additions to home and classroom libraries. John Newbery Medal Randolph […]
