Lev A. C. Rosen


Lev A. C. Rosen, also known as L. C. Rosen, is an American author.

Biography

Rosen was raised in Manhattan, New York. He lives there today with his husband and their cat, Waterloo.
He attended a private high school and came out as gay when he was around 13 years old. In 2006, Rosen received a Master of Fine Arts degree in fiction from Sarah Lawrence College.
When he was younger, Rosen attended a Jewish summer camp in Connecticut for several years, the physical layout of which is represented in his novel Camp. Later, he was a counsellor at the camp. He tried to discuss his sexuality with the children, but was forbidden by superiors from doing so.

Selected texts

''Jack of Hearts'' (2018)

'His book Jack of Hearts is a young adult novel published October 30, 2018 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. The book follows Jack, a gay teenager who is the center of gossip at his high school. After he starts writing an advice column in his friend's blog, he begins receiving messages from a stalker, making his life worse.
The book was generally well received by critics with Gay Times saying it "might be the most important queer novel of the decade." Kirkus Reviews called the book a "sex-positive and thoughtful romp with humor and heart." Booklist referred to it as "resh, sex-positive, and unabashedly entertaining." The Guardian wrote, "Part thriller, part down-to-earth guide, this is humane, sex-positive writing of the funniest, filthiest and most heartening kind." School Library Journal said the book is an “essential addition to library collections that serve teens."
Although the book wasn't explicitly banned in the United States, Rosen has stated it was "silent banned" because teachers, schools, and library did not place the book on shelves. On November 4, 2021, the book was permanently removed from circulation from Texas's Keller Independent School District after a parental complaint. On November 15, a parent from Texas's Katy Independent School District used the book as an example to highlight the "vulgarity" of books available in the district's libraries. The district removed Jack of Hearts from shelves the following day. Rosen has responded to the book challenges saying the passages are taken out of context. He further stated that "ll of the questions answered in Jack’s advice column were submitted by real students" and he "consulted with sex education experts to write Jack’s responses, with the goal of providing LGBTQ teens with practical information that’s often omitted from sex ed classes."

''Camp'' (2020)

Camp is a young adult novel published by May 26, 2020, by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. The book tells the story of Randall Kapplehoff, a gay teen who goes every year to a queer summer camp and is finally ready to start a relationship with his crush.
Publishers Weekly called the book a "fun, inclusive story that's sex-, romance-, and LGBTQ-positive." w Kirkus Reviews said, "This novel has the appeal of a rom-com movie-makeover but with more substantive explorations." Booklist noted Rosen's attempt to tackle issues present in the LGBT community, such as internal biases and prejudices. It said the book was "n essential pick for teens figuring out who and how to love."
As of 2021, the book was being adapted into a film directed by and starring Billy Porter.

Awards and honors

The Guardian named Jack of Hearts one of the Best Books of the Year.
In 2020, Camp was named one of the best books of the year by ALMA Magazine, Booklist, Elle, The Guardian, the Today Show, and School Library Journal.
YearTitleAwardResultRef.
2011All Men of GeniusJames Tiptree Jr. AwardLonglist
2013All Men of GeniusAudie Award for FantasyFinalist
2016DepthShamus Award for Best First Private Eye NovelFinalist
2019Jack of Hearts American Library Association Rainbow ListTop 10
2020CampBooklist's Best Romance Fiction for YouthTop 10
2020CampBooklist Editors' Choice: Books for YouthSelection
2021CampAmerican Library Association Rainbow ListTop 10
2021CampLambda Literary Award for LGBTQ Young AdultFinalist
2022Lavender HouseBuzzFeed: Best Book of the Year, HistoricalTop 2
2022Lavender HouseBookpage: Best Mystery and SuspenseTop 10
2022Lavender HouseAmazon: Best Mystery and SuspenseTop 20
2023Lavender HouseMacavity Awards: Sue Feder Memorial Award for Historical MysteryWinner
2023Lavender HouseAnthony Awards: Best Historical MysteryFinalist
2023Lavender HouseLambda Literary Awards: LGBTQ MysteryFinalist
2023The Bell in the FogCrimereads: Best Historical FictionTop 10
2023The Bell in the FogAmazon: Best Mystery and Suspense – New and Continuing SeriesTop 20
2023Lion's LegacyNew York Public Library: Best Books for TeensTop 50
2023Lion's LegacyBooklist Editors' Choice: Books for YouthSelection
2023EmmettKirkus: Best Young Adult Books of the YearSelection
2023EmmettAmazon: Best Teen and Young Adult BooksTop 20
2024Lion's LegacyMythopoeic Society Mythopoeic Awards: Fantasy AwardsFinalist
2024Rough PagesAutostraddle: Best Mystery/Thriller of the YearSelection
2025Rough PagesLambda Literary Awards Best LGBTQ MysteryFinalist
2025Rough PagesAudie Award for Mystery: Best MysteryFinalist
2025Rough PagesJoseph Hansen Award: Best MysteryFinalist

Publications

Novels

Adult

All Men of Genius Depth Lavender House The Bell in The Fog Rough Pages
  • ''Mirage City''

Middle grade

Woundabout, illustrated by Ellis Rosen
  • ''The Memory Wall''

Young adult

Jack of Hearts Camp Lion's Legacy Emmett King's Legacy
  • ''You've Goth My Heart''

Short stories

Forthcoming

  • ''The Disaster Gay Detective Agency''