So here's a weird one for you, offered in total seriousness: "The Long Secret" and "Sport" by Louise Fitzhugh. Yes, Louise Fitzhugh, who I'm willing to bet you, the avid reader, read growing up. She wrote "Harriet the Spy!" I recently read all three of these books and they blew me away, especially "The Long Secret." Outside of Beatrix Potter, who is a completely different sort, I cannot think of a better children's writer, period. And Fitzhugh is just a brilliant writer, period. I would read anything of hers and don't really consider it children's lit, although it is that as well, of course. Does it fit your specs? Well, in a way. Fitzhugh was gay and though this doesn't feature obviously in any of the stories, you do get a different feel for some of the characters knowing it. I actually ordered a book about her and am excited to read it because there's so little about her on the web and she strikes me as such a strong, interesting character.
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Date: 2013-01-11 03:36 am (UTC)Seriously. The Long Secret.