by Kyle Lukoff
First published 2025
Dorothy becomes a beacon for people who must hide their true selves in post-World War II America. Members of the LGBTQ+ community whisper her name as a code, asking "Are you a friend of Dorothy?" to find others like themselves. But Dorothy remains an enigma. Some believe she lives in the neighborhood as someone's wife, mother, or sister. Others think she might be the witty writer who hosts parties where anyone can dance with anyone. Perhaps she is the Kansas girl who escaped her dull small town life to discover a world full of color and acceptance. The truth is that Dorothy exists only in the imagination of a community that desperately needs her. Yet this fictional figure helps real people connect with each other during a time when they face persecution and must gather in shadows. Through Dorothy's mysterious presence, isolated individuals discover they are not alone and find the courage to celebrate who they truly are.
Genres: literary-fiction, american-fiction, historical-fiction, 20th-century, 21st-century, lgbt
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, hidden-identity
Setting: America, Kansas
Period: Post-World War II
40 pages · Hardcover · Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Content warnings: homophobia