From Archie to Zack

by Vincent Kirsch

Overview

From Archie to Zack isan unapologetic celebration of friendship and first crushes from author-illustrator Vincent X. Kirsch—now in a paperback picture book, with four tear-out Valentine’s Day cards!
 
A Lambda Literary Award Finalist
STARRED REVIEW *“A pure and perfect capture of first love” —School Library Journal
 
“Archie loves Zack!”
“Zack loves Archie!”
Everyone said it was so.
 
But Archie hasn’t told Zack yet. And Zack hasn’t told Archie. They spend just about every minute together: walking to and from school, doing science and art projects, practicing for marching band, learning to ride bikes, and so much more.
 
Over the course of a few months, Archie tries to write a letter to Zack to tell him how he feels: “From A to Z.” None of his drafts sound quite right, so he hides them all away. One by one, Archie’s friends (Zelda, Zinnia, and Zuzella) find the letters . . . but they know exactly who they’re meant for.
 
This full-color picture book from Vincent X. Kirsch celebrates young, queer love in a whimsical, kid-friendly way.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781647001568
Publisher:	Abrams
Publication date:	12/29/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	40
File size:	49 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Vincent X. Kirsch is an author, illustrator, playwright, and designer. He is the author-illustrator of books for children, including How I Learned to Fall Out of Trees and Natalie & Naughtily. He lives in Beverly Hills.

Editorial Reviews

"This is a gentle, catchy, quick read that is sure to put a smile on the listener’s face and a request for another read-through."

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"[A] heartwarming, sweet-spirited story of friendship and more."

Booklist

**STARRED REVIEW**
"A pure and perfect capture of first love, joyful and painful in the worries and doubt; the love on the page is so vivid it raises goosebumps of veracity and provides parents with a model to share with any child in the throes of a lasting crush."—School Library Journal

"This is a gentle, catchy, quick read that is sure to put a smile on the listener’s face and a request for another read-through."—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"[A] heartwarming, sweet-spirited story of friendship and more." —Booklist

From the Publisher

2020-10-13
Two little boys express their love for each other.

Everyone in Zack and Archie’s class knows they love each other. The two boys do everything together: ride a tandem bike, build elaborate sand castles, play miniature golf, fly rainbow kites. For unexplained reasons, neither boy can admit their love to the other even though they each want to. Archie, who’s White, writes brief letters telling Zack, who’s Black, his feelings, but in each one, “something’s missing.” He hides each one. Finally three girls find the hidden notes and give them to Zack in an elementary school version of forced outing. Since the entire book is about two kids who both love each other and everyone seems fine with it, it’s unclear where the tension is coming from, and the climax fizzles when it’s revealed that Zack has also been writing letters to Archie. The illustrations are goofy and energetic, with lots of small details on every page. Their classroom includes some background diversity; unfortunately, two children, likely intended as East Asian, are depicted with stereotypically slanted eyes. One girl wears a hijab and another a bindi, and a third uses a wheelchair; a Hanukkah scene indicates that at least one of the boys is Jewish. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-22-inch double-page spreads viewed at 15.3% of actual size.)

Models how to say “I love you” for children—but readers may wonder what all the fuss is about. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews