Awards

• Commended for Stonewall Book Award (Children's) 2024

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9781547612543

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Reviews

"""[An] emotionally complex portal fantasy. . .. Balancing gruesome creature encounters with an empowering meditation on bravery, this middle grade debut offers up a panoply of nightmarish ghouls and harrowing perils, but the real appeal comes from tender interpersonal ties and themes of self-discovery."" --Publishers Weekly, starred review ""Spooky, funny, and queer-what's not to love?"" --Kirkus Reviews"

"""Spooky, funny, and queer-what's not to love?"" --Kirkus Reviews"

River's very human struggles with facing fears, learning to trust in allies, and being truthful about themselves will resonate with many tweens, even the non-magical kind. Mr. Fluffy Pancakes, River's heroic sidekick, leaps off the page with humorous body language and expressions that speak louder than words. * School Library Journal, starred review * Winans’ nightmarish monster realm holds horrors and revelations . . . River’s sarcasm injects welcome humor into the narrative, which is as much about their personal journey toward self-confidence and silencing bullies as it is about surviving literal monsters. This reluctant hero will mean the world to many readers and be beloved by all. * Booklist, starred review * [An] emotionally complex portal fantasy. . . . Balancing gruesome creature encounters with an empowering meditation on bravery, this middle grade debut offers up a panoply of nightmarish ghouls and harrowing perils, but the real appeal comes from tender interpersonal ties and themes of self-discovery. * Publishers Weekly, starred review * An excitingly suspenseful portal horror led by a cleverly humorous, adorably queer, and intrepid nonbinary tween. . . . The Otherwoods is creepy fun with a queer heart, and a cunning and determined protagonist whose growing self-confidence is a joy to experience. * Shelf Awareness, starred review * Spooky, funny, and queer--what’s not to love? * Kirkus Reviews *

Winans’ nightmarish monster realm holds horrors and revelations . . . River’s sarcasm injects welcome humor into the narrative, which is as much about their personal journey toward self-confidence and silencing bullies as it is about surviving literal monsters. This reluctant hero will mean the world to many readers and be beloved by all. * Booklist, starred review * [An] emotionally complex portal fantasy. . . . Balancing gruesome creature encounters with an empowering meditation on bravery, this middle grade debut offers up a panoply of nightmarish ghouls and harrowing perils, but the real appeal comes from tender interpersonal ties and themes of self-discovery. * Publishers Weekly, starred review * An excitingly suspenseful portal horror led by a cleverly humorous, adorably queer, and intrepid nonbinary tween. . . . The Otherwoods is creepy fun with a queer heart, and a cunning and determined protagonist whose growing self-confidence is a joy to experience. * Shelf Awareness, starred review * Spooky, funny, and queer--what’s not to love? * Kirkus Reviews *

Author Information

Justine Pucella Winans is a queer and nonbinary writer who resides in Los Angeles with their husband and orange tabby cat. They graduated with a B.F.A in Acting from Chapman University and now work at a talent agency. Originally from Cleveland, they still say ""pop"" and have love for the city, just not the cold. When not writing, they try their best at Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, read an alarming amount of manga, and try to make pasta even a fourth as good as their nonna's. Connect with them on Twitter and Instagram @JustinePWinans and www.justinepucellawinans.com.

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