Aiden Thomas is a Latino American author of young adult novels, best known for the book Cemetery Boys which was a New York Times bestseller and won numerous awards, including best of the year recognition from the American Library Association, Publishers Weekly, Barnes &* Noble, NPR and School Library Journal.
Aiden Thomas | |
|---|---|
 Thomas in 2024 | |
| Nationality | American |
| Citizenship | United States of America |
| Alma mater | Mills College |
| Genre | Young adult fiction |
| Notable works | Cemetery Boys |
| Website | |
| www | |
Thomas is transgender and uses he/they pronouns. They advocate for diverse representation in media.
Personal life
Thomas was born in Oakland, California, and received a MFA in creative writing from Mills College.[1] They live in Portland.[2]
Books
Cemetery Boys
Cemetery Boys was published on September 1, 2020, by Swoon Reads and tells the story of Yadriel, who is queer, transgender, Latino and a brujo. Unfortunately, his family does not recognize him as a man, which has serious effects on his abilities.
The book was named a best seller by The New York Times and IndieBound,[3] and received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly[4] and Booklist.[5]
Cemetery Boys has received the following accolades:
- Bram Stoker Award for Best Young Adult Novel nominee (2020)[6]
- Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction (2020)[7]
- Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Debut Novel (2020)[7]
- Locus Award for Best First Novel nominee (2021)[8]
- Lodestar Award finalist (2021)[9]
- American Library Association (ALA) Top Ten Best Fiction (2021)[10]
- ALA Top Ten Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults (2021)[11]
- ALA Teens' Top Ten (2021)[12]
- Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year (2020)[13]
- Barnes & Noble Best New Books of the Year (2020)[14]
- National Book Award longlist (2020)[15]
- NPR Best Books of the Year (2020)[16]
- School Library Journal's (SLJ) Top 10 Audiobooks of 2020[17]
- School Library Best Books of the Year[1]
- Book Riot's Most Anticipated Books of 2020[18]
- Tor.com's 25 Most Anticipated Science Fiction & Fantasy Books of 2020[19]
- Goodreads' 38 Most Anticipated YA Novels of 2020[20]
- Paste's Most Anticipated Young Adult Novels of 2020[21]
- Bitch Media's 25 YA Novels Feminists Should Read in 2020[22]
Lost in the Never Woods
Lost in the Never Woods was published on March 23, 2021, by Swoon Reads and is a retelling of Peter Pan. The book, as well as the audiobook, received a starred review from Booklist.[23]
The Sunbearer Trials
In November 2021, Thomas announced the release of their next book, The Sunbearer Trials, a Mexican-inspired fantasy.[24] The book was published on September 6, 2022 by Feiwel & Friends.[25]
In November 2023, Thomas announced the finale in this series, Celestial Monsters, to be published on September 3, 2024.[26]
Just Max
In October 2021, Thomas announced the acquisition of Just Max,[27] a contemporary YA novel about a trans boy going to college and navigating all the new experiences that includes. Release is set for Winter 2024.[28]