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Where You'll Find Us by Jen St. Jude
Past event
Featured Book
Where You'll Find Us
In this beautifully profound YA novel, a trans teen finds a home where queer kids from all different decades have found refuge from hatred-and from time.
Calla Quick has no future. At least, that's how it feels. Her parents disowned her via text message, and now she can't afford to go to an all-women's college with her girlfriend Ramona like they planned. But Calla wonders if maybe that's for the best-because even though Calla told Ramona her parents disowned her because they found out she's gay, the truth is, Calla has been questioning whether she's a girl at all.
Calla wishes she had more time to figure everything out, and one night, her wish is seemingly granted. When Calla and Ramona stumble upon a mysterious farmhouse the woods, they meet five teens who claim they've lived there for decades. The land, which they call Amaranth, acts as a safe haven for queer kids throughout history-a place free of hate, free of violence, free of time itself. Here, Calla can be Cal, and they feel instantly accepted. They don't have to worry about the future because at Amaranth, it will never come-until one night when the clock strikes twelve. Now under a literal ticking clock, the housemates must find a way to stop time again or face going back to their harsh realities, but as Cal learns everyone's story, they begin to wonder what queer people lose when their history is lost to time.
This book will be available for purchase at the event.
About This Event
W&CF and Gerber/Hart Library & Archives are thrilled to co-present an event with Jen St. Jude to celebrate the release of their newest YA novel, Where You'll Find Us. For this event, Jude will be joined in conversation by Anna Sortino.
In this beautifully profound YA novel, a trans teen finds a home where queer kids from all different decades have found refuge from hatred-and from time.
Calla Quick has no future. At least, that's how it feels. Her parents disowned her via text message, and now she can't afford to go to an all-women's college with her girlfriend Ramona like they planned. But Calla wonders if maybe that's for the best-because even though Calla told Ramona her parents disowned her because they found out she's gay, the truth is, Calla has been questioning whether she's a girl at all.
Calla wishes she had more time to figure everything out, and one night, her wish is seemingly granted. When Calla and Ramona stumble upon a mysterious farmhouse the woods, they meet five teens who claim they've lived there for decades. The land, which they call Amaranth, acts as a safe haven for queer kids throughout history-a place free of hate, free of violence, free of time itself. Here, Calla can be Cal, and they feel instantly accepted. They don't have to worry about the future because at Amaranth, it will never come-until one night when the clock strikes twelve. Now under a literal ticking clock, the housemates must find a way to stop time again or face going back to their harsh realities, but as Cal learns everyone's story, they begin to wonder what queer people lose when their history is lost to time.
Jen St. Jude (they/them) is the author of If Tomorrow Doesn't Come and Where You'll Find Us. They live near Chicago with people (and an old dog) they love.
Anna Sortino is the award-winning author of Give Me a Sign, On the Bright Side, and Stops Along the Way. Her stories center disabled characters living their lives and falling in love. She lives in Chicago with her dog.
Founded in 1981, Gerber/Hart Library and Archives seeks to collect, preserve, and make accessible the history and culture of LGBTQ+ communities in Chicago and the Midwest in order to advance the larger goal of achieving justice and equality. We operate a free, public, lending library of books, ebooks, and audiovisual media that document and represent the richly varied histories and cultures of LGBTQ+ individuals and communities in the United States, with a geographic emphasis on Chicago and the Midwest. Open to everyone, Gerber/Hart is dedicated to promoting research, learning, exploration, and discovery in a safe and welcoming atmosphere that reflects the diversity of the communities that it serves. Volunteers have always been at the heart of our organization, and we continue to center community involvement and leadership in everything we do.
Gerber/Hart believes that knowledge of LGBTQ+ history in all its diversity and complexity fosters understanding and constructive change in society. We envision a world in which justice, equality, respect, and inclusion describe how LGBTQ+ people and all members of society are treated.
Accessibility: This event is hosted at the bookstore, which is a wheelchair accessible space. Masks are required for this event. We have one industrial air purifier, two smaller air purifiers, and four ceiling fans throughout our space. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. To request ASL interpretation for this event, please email events@womenandchildrenfirst.com by no later than 14 days before the event. For other access needs please email events@womenandchildrenfirst.com.
Date:
Wed, 6/3/2026
Time:
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Place:
Women & Children First
5233 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60640
Featured Author
Anna Sortino
Anna Sortino is the award-winning author of Give Me a Sign, On the Bright Side, and Stops Along the Way. Her stories center disabled characters living their lives and falling in love. She lives in Chicago with her dog.
In Conversation With
Jen St. Jude
Jen St. Jude (they/them) is the author of If Tomorrow Doesn't Come and Where You'll Find Us. They live near Chicago with people (and an old dog) they love.
About the Venue
Women & Children First
Women & Children First believes in the transformative power of literature. As intersectional trans-inclusive feminists, we believe books are tools for liberation. Since 1979, we have celebrated and amplified underrepresented voices.
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