James St. James' Freak Show to be honored as the Best Young Adult Book of 2007?

World of Wonder is reporting that James St. James' hilarious young adult novel, Freak Show, will be honored by the School Library Journal as the Best Young Adult Book of the Year. (SLJ hasn't added the announcement to their website yet so it's not official, but we're inclined to believe the word is good.) Freak Show tells the story of a teenage drag queen trying not only to survive high school in a conservative small town, but also to nab the crown as homecoming queen.

James St. James talked with AfterElton last May, where he described Freak Show as a very autobiographical story, reflecting the isolation he experienced in high school. St. James also observed that things have definitely improved for gay students since his youth. The idea of a book like Freak Show being honored by an influential publication like the School Library Journal certainly supports the idea, and sends a huge message to both teens and educators about understanding and acceptance.

Congratulations to James St. James for a well-earned award, and we can't wait for the official announcement!