Jonathan Lenore Kastin
Image by Percy Edwards
Jonathan Lenore Kastin (he/they) is a queer, trans poet and singer with an MFA in Writing for children and young adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. His poems can be found in Mythic Delirium, Goblin Fruit, Liminality, and Abyss & Apex. His short stories can be found in Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Shores, On Spec, as well as the anthologies: Ab(solutely) Normal (Candlewick, 2023), Transmogrify! (HarperTeen, 2023), and We Mostly Come Out at Night (Running Press, 2024). He lives with two mischievous cats, more books than he could ever read, and a frightening number of skulls. He is trying to write a novel. Pray for him.
Edited by Rob Costello
A 2025 Lambda Literary Award Finalist
A 2024 Bram Stoker Award Finalist
A 2025 Locus Award Finalist
A 2024 CYBILS Award Finalist
Named a Best Book for Teens 2024 by the New York Public Library
Named a Best of 2024 Young Adult Horror and Dark Fiction by Ginger Nuts of Horror
Named to the 2024 Recommended Reading List by Locus Magazine
Featured in the 2024 Anthologies & Collections Showcase by PseudoPod
Named a Notable Young Adult Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Book of 2024 by Reactor Magazine
Starred Review from Shelf Awareness
Edited by gee haron davis
"Meaningful magical resistance." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Beguiling. A polished and enjoyable work solidly steeped in classic high-fantasy tropes.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Fun, meaningful, and fantastical." — School Library Journal
"The author lineup is a lovely mix of new-to-YA names joining well-knowns like A. R. Capetta, Cory McCarthy, Cam Montgomery, Mason Deaver, Saundra Mitchell, Emery Lee, and Sonora Reyes, and the stories themselves glow with trans joy and magic." — Dahlia Adler, LGBTQReads
Edited by Nora Shalaway Carpenter and Rocky Callen
Texas Library Association TAYSHAS State Reading List Selection
Children’s Book Council – Top 10 Teacher Favorites 2024
Children's Book Council - Librarian Favorites 2024
