Are you a friend of Dorothy? The true story of an imaginary woman and the real people she helped

Lukoff looks back to an undefined but relatively recent era, when, because it was both illegal and dangerous to be queer, the titular question was a sort of secret handshake. Along with suggesting several possible origins for the code word (it may have been a reference to libertine writer Dorothy Parker or to Judy Garland's character in The Wizard of Oz), the author gleefully describes how investigators for the U.S. Navy made fools of themselves searching for "Dorothy," thinking she was a real person who could be forced to name names. In more recent years, Lukoff writes, the query has fallen out of common use because a "secret language" is no longer quite so essential to "[keep] each other safe" and "find our community." Still, with a note of caution that is probably--and sadly-- proper, he concludes that yes, "Dorothy" will always have friends, but still "learning about the ways we survived in the past could help people in the future." Hastings' informally drawn views of comically sinister-looking officials and convivial couples and larger groups both in and out of uniform keep the tone light. The inclusive spirit extends to a closing essay that unpacks some of the many possibilities in LGBTQ and urges readers to identify others using the words they themselves use. A venturesome, refreshingly frank reading for elementary-level audiences.

Straightforwardly detailing how LGBTQ+ people have long found each other via verbal and visual cues, this approachable, engaging work is a primer on both queer history and how "learning about the ways we survived in the past could help people in the future." Succinct text from Lukoff (There's No Such Thing as Vegetables) delves into the sociopolitical history of queer signal "friend of Dorothy." During a time when U.S. laws "made it illegal to be gay," undercover spies from the U.S. military heard about the phrase--and, believing Dorothy to be a real person, began searching for her ("How did she know all these gay men? Why did she know them? And how could they get her to reveal those secrets?"). Expressive, bright-hued portraiture from Hastings (Big Wig) visualizes decades of history alongside possible origins of the title phrase, including actor Judy Garland's Wizard of Oz character and writer Dorothy Parker ("known for being clever and grouchy"). Together, the creators assuredly demonstrate that "people always know how to find each other. And when it isn't safe to be out as yourself, you can always create ways to learn who your friends might be." Characters are portrayed with various abilities, body types, and skin tones. A concluding note reflects on terms used. Ages 4--8. Author's Agent: Saba Sulaiman, Talcott Notch Literary. Illustrator's agent: Brent Taylor, Triada US. (Apr.)

Gr 1--3--Even today, people who fall outside of the binary spectrum of sexuality have difficulty in many aspects of their lives, but in the earlier parts of the 20th century in the United States, things were even more challenging. Luckily, there were ways that people could come together and be themselves, even when the outside world was less than accommodating. To do this, people would ask one another if they were a friend of Dorothy, and it was the answer to this question that would dictate future interactions among those individuals. This nonfiction narrative connects young readers with the very real tools with which people 100 years ago built bridges among one another. Using colorful imagery, straightforward, honest language, and an accessible storytelling structure, this book makes history feel more immediate and tangible to children. Each page depicts people of varying backgrounds as they interact with one another in both joyful and frightening situations, highlighting the fact that even in the worst of times, people are able to come together and find opportunities to love being themselves. Best suited to elementary school-aged readers due to the complexity of the content, this book is one that will open minds and hearts to the realities of LGBTQIA+ people in the U.S. VERDICT This nonfiction picture book is a positive addition to library collections with its inclusion of information about LGBTQIA+ history for young readers.--Mary R. Lanni

Before "We're here, we're queer, get used to it!," there was the quiet rebellion of "Are you a friend of Dorothy?" Hoping to find community hidden in plain sight due to bigotry in early-20th-century America, many LGBTQ people would ask others the titular question; a yes meant that the other person was also queer. Stonewall Award winner Lukoff presents a straightforward look at the origins and effects of this simple yet effective inquiry. Who was the "Dorothy" in question--could she have been famed author Dorothy Parker? Or Dorothy Gale, the protagonist of the 1939 filmThe Wizard of Oz, played by gay icon Judy Garland? While the text is light on concrete facts about this query (a section is devoted to the imagined pursuits of trench coat--clad government officials seeking out "Dorothy"), it more than compensates by effectively showcasing the unabashed joy of living one's most authentic life, showcased in Hastings' energetic, appealingly retro digital art, populated by diverse characters. Lukoff notes that while we've made progress since then, queer people still face discrimination and prejudice. But, he adds, "we still know how to find our community. And learning about the ways we survived in the past could help people in the future." A historical look at the importance of community, now more relevant than ever. (author's note, two history books for adults)(Informational picture book. 5-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.