# Nina LaCour

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American author

**Nina LaCour** is an American author, primarily known for writing young adult literature with queer, romantic story lines.[1] Her novel *We Are Okay* won the [Printz Award](/source/Michael_L._Printz_Award) in 2017.[2]

## Early life and education

LaCour was born in 1983[1] and raised in the San Francisco Bay area.[3] Her family instilled in her an appreciation for the arts and education: "her grandmother taught china painting classes; her father was a teacher and then school principal; and her mother taught high school photography.[4]"[3]

She attended [Campolindo High School](/source/Campolindo_High_School) and graduated in 2000.[5] She received her bachelor's degree from [San Francisco State University](/source/San_Francisco_State_University) and a [master of fine arts](/source/Master_of_Fine_Arts) in creative writing from [Mills College](/source/Mills_College).[3][6]

## Career

LaCour's first novel, *[Hold Still](/source/Hold_Still)*, was the result of her master's thesis while at Mills College.[3] Also while there, LaCour began teaching English composition to undergraduate students.[3] Following graduation, she taught at [Berkeley City College](/source/Berkeley_City_College) and [Maybeck High School](/source/Maybeck_High_School) before taking a few years off to care for her daughter.[3]

At present, LaCour teaches in the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults program at [Hamline University](/source/Hamline_University).[7]

## Personal life

LaCour currently lives in San Francisco with her wife and daughter.[3]

## Selected works

### *Hold Still* (2009)

Main article: [Hold Still](/source/Hold_Still)

*Hold Still* is a young adult novel published October 20, 2009 by [Dutton Children's Books](/source/Dutton_Children's_Books).

The book received the following accolades:

- [American Library Association](/source/American_Library_Association)'s [Best Books for Young Adults](/source/Best_Books_for_Young_Adults) selection (2010)[8]

- [William C. Morris Award](/source/William_C._Morris_Award) finalist (2010)[9][10]

### *Everything Leads to You* (2014)

Main article: [Everything Leads to You](/source/Everything_Leads_to_You)

*Everything Leads to You* is a young adult novel published May 15, 2014 [Dutton Children's Books](/source/Dutton_Children's_Books).

The book is a [Junior Library Guild](/source/Junior_Library_Guild) selection[11] and has received the following accolades:

- [Goodreads Choice Award](/source/Goodreads_Choice_Awards) for Young Adult Fiction nominee (2014)[12]

- [YALSA](/source/Yalsa)'s [Best Fiction for Young Adults](/source/ALA_Best_Fiction_for_Young_Adults) (2015)[13]

- [ALA Rainbow List](/source/American_Library_Association_Rainbow_List) (2015)[14][13]

### *We Are Okay* (2017)

Main article: [We Are Okay](/source/We_Are_Okay)

*We Are Okay* is a young adult novel published February 14, 2017, by [Dutton Children's Books](/source/Dutton_Books_for_Young_Readers).

[TIME](/source/Time_(magazine)) added the book to its "100 Best Young Adult Books of All Time" list,[15] and *[Bustle](/source/Bustle_(magazine))* named it one of the best books of the decade.[16] *[The Boston Globe](/source/The_Boston_Globe),*[17]*[Publishers Weekly](/source/Publishers_Weekly)*,[18] and *[Seventeen](/source/Seventeen_(American_magazine))*[19] named it one of the best books of the year.

*We Are Okay* received various accolades, including the following:

- [Booklist Editors' Choice](/source/Booklist_Editors'_Choice): Books for Youth (2017)[20]

- [Michael L. Printz Award](/source/Michael_L._Printz_Award) (2018)[21][2]

- [American Library Association's Rainbow List](/source/American_Library_Association_Rainbow_List) Top Ten (2018)[22]

### *Watch Over Me* (2020)

Main article: [Watch Over Me (novel)](/source/Watch_Over_Me_(novel))

*Watch Over Me* is a young adult novel published September 15, 2020, by [Dutton Children's Books](/source/Dutton_Children's_Books).

The [New York Public Library](/source/New_York_Public_Library),[23] [Chicago Public Library](/source/Chicago_Public_Library),[24] *[BuzzFeed](/source/BuzzFeed)*,[25] and *[Kirkus](/source/Kirkus_Reviews)*[26] named it one of the best young adult books of the year.

The book received various accolades, including the following:

- [YALSA](/source/Young_Adult_Library_Services_Association)'s [Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults](/source/Amazing_Audiobooks_for_Young_Adults) selection (2021)[27]

- [YALSA](/source/Young_Adult_Library_Services_Association)'s [Best Fiction for Young Adults](/source/ALA_Best_Fiction_for_Young_Adults) (2021)[28]

### Yerba Buena (2022)

*Yerba Buena* is LaCour's first book of adult fiction. The novel has "themes of drug and sexual abuse, death, abandonment, and purposelessness"[29] but is ultimately the story of "two star-crossed young women navigating trauma, family, and romance".[1] *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)* reviewed the book and called it a "sensory feast".[30]

### *The Apartment House on Poppy Hill* (2023)

LaCour's 2023 book *The Apartment House on Poppy Hill*, illustrated by Sonia Albert, was shortlisted for the 2024 [Lambda Literary Award for Children's Literature](/source/Lambda_Literary_Award_for_Children's_and_Young_Adult_Literature).[31]

## Publications

- *[Hold Still](/source/Hold_Still)* (2009)

- *The Disenchantments* (2012)

- *[Everything Leads to You](/source/Everything_Leads_to_You)* (2014)

- *You Know Me Well*, with [David Levithan](/source/David_Levithan) (2016)

- *[We Are Okay](/source/We_Are_Okay)* (2017)

- *[Watch Over Me](/source/Watch_Over_Me_(novel))* (2020)

- *Yerba Buena* (2022)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:2_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:2_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:2_1-2) McQuiston, Casey (June 13, 2022). ["Nina LaCour On 'Yerba Buena,' Writing Queer Love Stories, & YA Vs. Adult Fiction"](https://www.bustle.com/entertainment/nina-lacour-yerba-buena-queer-romance-interview). *[Bustle](/source/Bustle_(magazine))*. Retrieved December 24, 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_2-1) Morales, Macey (February 12, 2018). ["'We Are Okay' wins 2018 Printz Award"](https://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2018/02/we-are-okay-wins-2018-printz-award). *American Library Association*. Retrieved January 2, 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:0_3-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-:0_3-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-:0_3-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-:0_3-6) ["About Nina"](https://www.ninalacour.com/aboutnina). *Nina LaCour*. Retrieved January 2, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** "Hold Still" Nina LaCour

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** McMahon, Regan (March 8, 2018). ["Voice of youth: Author Nina LaCour honored for her YA fiction"](https://www.sfchronicle.com/books/article/Voice-of-youth-Author-Nina-LaCour-honored-for-12738338.php). *San Francisco Chronicle*. Retrieved January 3, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Comerford, Lynda Brill (December 21, 2009). ["Fall 2009 Flying Starts: Nina LaCour"](https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/authors/profiles/article/53225-fall-2009-flying-starts-nina-lacour.html). *Publishers Weekly*. Retrieved January 2, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Creative Writing Programs - Faculty and Staff -"](https://www.hamline.edu/cla/creative-writing-programs/faculty/). *Hamline University*. Retrieved January 2, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Hold Still | Awards & Grants"](https://www.ala.org/awardsgrants/content/hold-still-0). *American Library Association*. January 21, 2010. Retrieved January 2, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["YALSA's 2010 Literary Award Winners"](https://www.ala.org/yalsa/booklistsawards/bookawards/2010winners). *Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)*. January 13, 2010. Retrieved January 2, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["hold still | Awards & Grants"](https://www.ala.org/awardsgrants/content/hold-still). *American Library Association*. January 18, 2010. Retrieved January 2, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:42_11-0)** ["Everything Leads to You by Nina LaCour"](https://www.juniorlibraryguild.com/book/landing/detailedview?itemcode=9780525425885J&name=Everything_Leads_to_You). *Junior Library Guild*. Retrieved January 2, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** [*Everything Leads to You*](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18667779-everything-leads-to-you?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=MiIktU6pSZ&rank=1). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-525-42588-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-525-42588-5). Retrieved January 2, 2022. {{[cite book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_book)}}: |website= ignored ([help](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:CS1_errors#periodical_ignored))

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:52_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:52_13-1) ["Everything Leads To You"](http://booklists.yalsa.net/book/10573/everything-leads-to-you). *YALSA Book Finder*. Retrieved January 2, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Everything Leads To You | Awards & Grants"](https://www.ala.org/awardsgrants/node/36172). *American Library Association*. December 20, 2017. Retrieved January 2, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["The 100 Best YA Books of All Time"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210702211849/https://time.com/100-best-young-adult-books/). *Time*. Archived from [the original](https://time.com/collection/100-best-ya-books/) on July 2, 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Colyard, K.W. (December 18, 2019). ["The Best Books Of The 2010s, According To 30 Of The Decade's Debut Authors"](https://www.bustle.com/p/the-best-books-of-the-2010s-according-to-30-of-the-decades-debut-authors-19433961). *Bustle*. Retrieved January 2, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Best children's and YA books of 2017"](https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/books/2017/12/06/the-best-children-middle-grade-and-books/9R2ZOzYMXV0uMtytpyu2oO/story.html). *The Boston Globe*. December 8, 2017. Retrieved January 2, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Best Books 2017 Publishers Weekly"](https://best-books.publishersweekly.com/pw/best-books/2017/young-adult). *Publishers Weekly*. Retrieved January 2, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Orenstein, Hannah (January 16, 2018). ["28 of the Best YA Books of 2017"](https://www.seventeen.com/life/g3130/best-ya-books-of-2017/). *Seventeen*. Retrieved January 2, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** [*Booklist Editors' Choice: Books for Youth, 2017*](https://www.booklistonline.com/Booklist-Editors-Choice/pid=9320435). January 1, 2018. Retrieved January 1, 2022 – via Booklist.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["We are okay | Awards & Grants"](https://www.ala.org/awardsgrants/we-are-okay). *American Library Association*. February 16, 2018. Retrieved January 2, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["2018 Rainbow List"](https://glbtrt.ala.org/rainbowbooks/archives/1270). *Rainbow Book List*. Retrieved January 2, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:3_23-0)** ["Best Books for Teens 2020"](https://www.nypl.org/books-more/recommendations/best-books/teens). *The New York Public Library*. Retrieved January 2, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:4_24-0)** ["Best Teen Fiction of 2020"](https://chipublib.bibliocommons.com/list/share/200121216/1769519469). *Chicago Public Library*. Retrieved January 2, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:5_25-0)** Penn, Farrah (December 10, 2020). ["The Best YA Books Of 2020"](https://www.buzzfeed.com/farrahpenn/the-best-ya-books-of-2020). *BuzzFeed*. Retrieved January 2, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:6_26-0)** ["Best of 2020"](https://www.kirkusreviews.com/best-of/2020/young-adult/books/). *Kirkus Reviews*. Retrieved January 2, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** ["2021 Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults"](https://www.ala.org/yalsa/2021-amazing-audiobooks-young-adults). *Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)*. January 4, 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** ["2021 Best Fiction for Young Adults"](https://www.ala.org/yalsa/2021-best-fiction-young-adults). *Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)*. January 14, 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** Hynek, Julia (June 11, 2022). ["'Yerba Buena' Review: Understated, Bittersweet, Brilliant"](https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2022/6/11/yerba-buena-nina-lacour-review/). *[The Harvard Crimson](/source/The_Harvard_Crimson)*. Retrieved December 24, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** Harlan, Jennifer (May 31, 2022). ["Love and Trauma in the Wilds of California"](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/31/books/review/yerba-buena-nina-lacour.html). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0362-4331](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0362-4331). Retrieved December 24, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** ["Announcing the Finalists for the 36th Annual Lambda Literary Awards"](https://www.them.us/story/lambda-literary-awards-2024-shortlist-announcement). *[them.](/source/Them.)* March 27, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2024.

## External links

- [Official website](https://www.ninalacour.com/)

v t e Michael L. Printz Award 2000: Myers – Monster 2001: Almond – Kit's Wilderness 2002: Na – A Step From Heaven 2003: Chambers – Postcards from No Man's Land 2004: Johnson – The First Part Last 2005: Rosoff – How I Live Now 2006: Green – Looking for Alaska 2007: Yang – American Born Chinese 2008: McCaughrean – The White Darkness 2009: Marchetta – On the Jellicoe Road 2010: Bray – Going Bovine 2011: Bacigalupi – Ship Breaker 2012: Whaley – Where Things Come Back 2013: Lake – In Darkness 2014: Sedgwick – Midwinterblood 2015: Nelson – I'll Give You the Sun 2016: Ruby – Bone Gap 2017: Lewis, Aydin, and Powell – March: Book Three 2018: LaCour – We Are Okay 2019: Acevedo – The Poet X 2020: King – Dig 2021: Nayeri – Everything Sad Is Untrue 2022: Boulley – Firekeeper's Daughter 2023: Tahir – All My Rage 2024: King, Anderson, Charlton-Trujillo, Levithan, McCarthy, McLemore, Neri, Reynolds, Ribay, and Sanchez – The Collectors: Stories 2025: Teer, Julia – Brownstone

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND National United States France BnF data Czech Republic Spain Netherlands Korea Poland Israel Finland Catalonia People Deutsche Biographie Other IdRef Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Nina LaCour](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nina_LaCour) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nina_LaCour?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.