NOMINATING LIBRARY COMMENTS

Bob the Drag Queen’s “Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert” is nominated for its inventive and dynamic reimagining of American hero Harriet Tubman’s story. The novel has great emotional depth and explores themes of religion, internalized homophobia, the complexities of Black liberation, and the critical act of revisiting history. It is specifically crafted to resonate with a diverse audience, across the spectrum of identities. Furthermore, the novel powerfully connects Tubman’s historical struggle for freedom with contemporary fears surrounding societal perceptions and legislative actions against marginalized communities, particularly people of color, disabled individuals, and queer people. Through this lens, the work underscores Tubman’s enduring message of perseverance in the face of fear, making it profoundly relevant to today’s world. (Los Angeles Public Library)