Just Lizzie
Karen Wilfrid
About this book
A 2024 LAMBDA AWARD FINALIST In this beautifully written contemporary middle grade debut, an eighth grader's study of asexuality in science class leads her to understand her own asexual identity as she embarks on a journey toward self-discovery and self-advocacy. For readers of Alex Gino and Ashley Herring Blake. There’s the part of me that doesn’t understand kissing or cuteness or attraction, and then there’s the part of me that feels so lonely. How do I make sense of those two parts? Maybe I’ll never make sense of them. What do you do when there's a question inside you that feels so big, you don't know how to put words to it? How do you even begin to ask it? Fourteen-year-old Lizzie is experiencing a lot of change: Her family had to move after the incident with their neighbor, leaving behind not only her beloved apple tree but what feels like her childhood along with it. Lizzie's brother is too busy for her in his first semester of college, and her friends are more interested in dating than dolls. It’s hard not to feel left behind, especially as she tries to explain the fact that she still has zero interest in boys, girls, or the baffling behavior known as “flirting.” But just as Lizzie’s world feels like it's closing in, a class lesson on asexual reproduction in plants piques her curiosity, leading her to look up whether people can be asexual too—and suddenly her world opens up.
Censorship history
In 2024, "Just Lizzie" by Karen Wilfrid was banned at the school level in various districts across the United States, primarily due to its exploration of asexuality, which some parents and community members deemed inappropriate for middle school students. The bans were often initiated through formal complaints during school board meetings, reflecting ongoing debates about LGBTQ+ representation in educational materials. Specific instances included challenges in states like Texas and Florida, where conservative groups have increasingly targeted books that address diverse sexual orientations. As of now, the book remains contested in several districts, with ongoing discussions about its place in school curricula.
Bans
| Country | Year | Reasons |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 2024 | LGBTQ+Moral |
