Queer Ducks (and other animals): the natural world of animal sexuality by Eliot Schrefer (YA/Printz Honor Book)

 


Summary

This informational text highlights sexual behaviors of animals, homosexual sexual behaviors, in particular. The book incorporates comical illustrations and interviews conducted by the author, Eliot Schrefer with scientists. Schrefer also relates his own experiences as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and how society perceives it and ties it in to animal behavior. Although this is an informational text, the narrative is presented in a language and style that is relatable to its intended audience (Grades 9 and up).

Justification

This book is a Printz Honor Book and received favorable reviews from Publishers' Weekly and Booklist.

Unusual Viewpoints

There are many books on the sexual behaviors of animals, but not very many, if any, that particularly focus on homosexual activities of animals. This aspect of the text is enough to grab readers attention. The textbook, Children's Literature, Briefly states that "the unusual viewpoint, whether on the cover or inside the book itself, is often the spark that ignites readers' desire to learn more."

Little-Known Facts

The text touches on an aspect of sexual behavior in animals that is not largely considered. According to Children's Literature, Briefly, "information becomes interesting when details about a topic are included. Details in nonfiction make the difference between showing and telling, just as they do in fiction, but in nonfiction the difference often accounts for a reader becoming interested in a new subject or ignoring it." A young reader who selects this text, will not just be entertained by the humorous approach presented in some of the language in the book and the featured comic illustrations, but curiosity will also be sparked about how different species of animals may choose to engage sexually and why they do so.

Citation

Schrefer, Eliot. Queer ducks (and other animals): The natural world of animal sexuality. HarperCollins Publishers.

Reference 
 
Young, T. & Bryan, G (2020). Children's literature, briefly. Pearson.

 

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