Our Work is Everywhere by Syan Rose (grades 7-9)

A decade in the making, Syan Rose’s book Our Work is Everywhere: an Illustrated Oral History of Queer and Trans Resistance is exactly as the name suggests– an ode and undeniable evidence of the mark that queer people have made on history. However, instead of writing about the more well-known accomplishments made by queer people (such as Alan Turing’s Enigma Machine, the pirates of the 16th century who pioneered social equality, and historical figures such as Emperor Ai of Han, Alexander the Great, and the many Two-Spirit spiritual leaders in pre-colonial Anishinaabemowin communities), Syan Rose redefines the word “work” to include the wide range of personal experiences that American queer and trans individuals have had. Swaddled in surrealist imagery, this record touches on themes of family, mental health, disabilities and more. An incredibly empathetic look into the complex lives of Queer and Trans Americans today, Our Work is Everywhere is an expertly crafted visual and verbal portrait of many different faces.

Sarah Rosenblatt, better known as Syan Rose, is an innovative voice in topics such as ancestral history and queer liberation. Rose’s work combines both written and visual language in mediums such as graphic novels, posters, and logo designs.