From Archie to Zack

From Archie to Zack is a children's picture book written and illustrated by Vincent X. Kirsch. It tells the story of two boys who have a crush on each other but don't have the courage to admit it. The book was published on December 29, 2020, by Abrams Books and received positive reviews, but some of its aspects were criticized. From Archie to Zack was a finalist on the 2021 Lambda Literary Award, in the Children's and Young Adult category.

From Archie to Zack
AuthorVincent X. Kirsch
IllustratorVincent X. Kirsch
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
GenrePicture book
PublisherAbrams Books
Publication date
December 29, 2020
Pages40
ISBN978-1-4197-4367-2

Reception

Writing for the School Library Journal, Rachel Mulligan gave From Archie to Zack a starred review and called it "one of the most heartfelt books of the season". Mulligan praised the story as an example to parents on how to deal with queer relationships between children. They also praised the illustrations by Kirsch, calling them "delightful".[1] A review published by the Booklist called the book a "heartwarming, sweet-spirited story of friendship and more".[2]

Publishers Weekly commented on the book's illustration, noting its "uncanny bent, with goggle-eyed, noodle-limbed children", and criticizing the author's choice to draw the eyes of "presumably East Asian characters" as lines and the "seemingly South Asian child with a bindi are puzzlingly diamond-shaped." The reviewer ended on a positive note, saying the "queer interracial love story will appeal."[3]

Kirkus Reviews criticized the overal story presented in the book, noting there is no apparent conflict and no reason given for the boys to not admit their love for one another, saying "it’s unclear where the tension is coming from". They also note the actions carried out by the boys' friends can be seen as a sort of forced outing. Although the reviewer finds the illustrations to be "goofy and energetic", they criticize the same aspects as the Publishers Weekly's review: "two children, likely intended as East Asian, are depicted with stereotypically slanted eyes."[4]

From Archie to Zack was a finalist in the 2021 Lambda Literary Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature.[5]

References
  1. Mulligan, Rachel. "From Archie to Zack". School Library Journal. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  2. Cart, Michael (November 2020). "From Archie to Zack". Booklist. Vol. 117, no. 5–6. p. 65.
  3. "Children's Book Review: From Archie to Zack by Vincent X. Kirsch". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  4. "From Archie to Zack". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  5. "The finalists of the 33rd Annual Lambda Literary Awards Have Been Announced". Gale. Right Vision Media. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
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