A. J. Sass

A. J. Sass (he/they) is an author whose narrative interests lie at the intersection of identity, neurodiversity, and allyship. He is an award winning and critically acclaimed author of books for young readers, including Just Shy of Ordinary (2025 Sydney Taylor Book Award Honor), Camp QUILTBAG, co-written with Nicole Melleby (2024 ALA Rainbow Book List Top 10 Title; Golden Poppy Award finalist), Ellen Outside the Lines (2023 Sydney Taylor Book Award Honor; 2023 ALA Rainbow Book List Top 10 Title; multiple state awards list nominations), and Ana on the Edge (2021 ALA Rainbow Book list Top 10 Title; Bank Street College of Education selection; multiple state awards list nominations). Many of Andrew’s books have also been Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selections.

Andrew’s debut picture book, Shabbat Is …, releases on 9/2/25 from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. He is also a contributor to the upcoming picture book anthology No Brain the Same (summer 2026). His short stories and essays have also appeared in the Athlete is Agender, This Is Our RainbowAllies, and On All Other Nights anthologies.

When he’s not writing, Andrew figure skates, tinkers with typewriters, and travels as much as possible. He divides his time between the San Francisco Bay Area and northwestern Vermont with his husband.

Find him on his website.

Bibliography

  • FORTH
    Picture Book
    Shabbat Is…
    A. J. Sass
  • 2025 SYDNEY TAYLOR HONOR BOOK

    Middle Grade
    Just Shy of Ordinary
    A. J. Sass
  • Middle Grade
    CAMP QUILTBAG
    A. J. Sass
  • 2024 SIDNEY TAYLOR HONOR BOOK

    Middle Grade
    Ellen Outside The Lines
    A. J. Sass
  • Middle Grade
    Ana on the Edge 
    A. J. Sass
     

Reviews

Picture Book

Shabbat Is…
"...a picture book that’s as warm as fresh-baked challah... It’s a lovely affirmation of both individual practice and communal connection."

Publishers Weekly

"Sass’ flowing text is punctuated by the refrain “Shabbat is unique and beautiful for every person”; this loving message is made abundantly clear throughout and echoed in the author’s note. A uniquely inclusive celebration of the Jewish day of rest."

Kirkus Reviews

Middle Grade

Just Shy of Ordinary
"Via sensitive depictions of Shai’s skin picking, as well as sincere prose that yields richly developed characters, relationships, and interactions, Sass captures the tension and dread of grappling with a hidden illness during a tumultuous transition."

Publishers Weekly, STARRED Review!

"Shai’s struggles with identity, anxiety, first love, and faith will resonate with middle grade and young adult readers."

School Library Journal

"Sass writes about intersectionality with plainspoken authenticity and normalizes asking for (and accepting) help from loved ones... An empathetic portrayal of multifaceted identities and the challenges of facing change."

Booklist Magazine

"The Wisconsin setting is authentically portrayed, and Shai’s tenderhearted first-person voice will keep readers rooting for them until the book’s final pages. Moving and memorable."

Kirkus Reviews

"Shai learns more than expected about the importance of acceptance and community. While Sass tackles several heavy subjects in this affecting novel, readers remain hopeful as Shai comes out of each trial a stronger person."

Horn Book Review

"A.J. Sass con­tin­ues their win­ning streak of mid­dle school fic­tion... JUST SHY OF ORDINARY reas­sures mid­dle school read­ers (and their par­ents, who may also want to pick this book up) that they can­not and do not have to do all of this by themselves... This is a nuanced, empa­thet­ic nov­el packed with the ups and downs of school and home life."

Jewish Book Council

CAMP QUILTBAG
“A timely and necessary addition to any elementary or middle school library, especially as LGBTQIA+ children are seeking examples of loving communities who fully embrace every part of them.”

School Library Journal, STARRED Review!

“Via a perceptive dual narrative, Melleby and Sass weave the perspectives of two queer kids drawn together by a need for community.”

Publishers Weekly

“An instructive, affirming pick for rainbow readers and allies … Melleby and Sass write with incredible compassion, crafting a sweet summertime romance while modeling difficult conversations and valuable lessons in inclusivity.”

Booklist

“[Camp QUILTBAG] captures that camp feeling of getting away from home, meeting different people, and growing as a person . . . At its heart, an enjoyable summer camp story.”

Kirkus Reviews

“This engaging, gently affirming novel should be valuable to young readers exploring their own identities or curious about those of others.”

The Horn Book

“An absolute heartwarming delight. It’s a perfect summer read.”

Book Riot

“[A]ll of Sass’ books are must-reads.”

Kveller

Ellen Outside The Lines
"[T]houghtfully deals with gender identity and fluidity at various levels. A heartwarming and inviting book about finding self that hits at the ever-changing (and challenging) world of middle school. Recommended for all middle grade shelves."

School Library Journal, STARRED Review!

"Sass' sophomore novel shines in its nuanced characterizations, subversion of stereotypes, and world that celebrates autism for the joy it brings Ellen when they are happily flapping. A tender, sweet coming-of-age story."

Booklist, STARRED Review!

"The story’s beautiful locales and scavenger hunt puzzles frame a heartwarming story about a transitional period in life, conveyed alongside an affirming, incidental portrayal of Ellen’s experiences."

Publishers Weekly

"Ellen is a satisfyingly well-rounded character with complex relationships who makes mistakes and learns from them while figuring things out about herself, including trying out an adjustment to her—or maybe sometimes their—own pronouns."

The Horn Book

“In a refreshing change of pace from the way neurodivergent people are often treated in pop culture, Ellen is loved and supported at the same time that she is challenged by the people in her life. Ellen Outside the Lines doesn’t shy away from the obstacles experienced by people on the spectrum, while still celebrating the unique perspective that neurodivergence provides.

The Coachella Review

“This book is a real page-turner with incredibly engaging characters, lovingly drawn in all their diversity and quirkiness. Ellen’s new nonbinary classmate, Isa, who challenges Ellen’s tendency to think in black and white, is a highlight. An affirming and healing read for queer autistic readers of all ages!”

Autostraddle

“This middle grade is such an engaging, lovely read.”

Book Riot

Ana on the Edge 
"Sass masterfully balances Ana's passion for competitive figure skating with her journey to coming out. ...sensitive and realistic."

Booklist, STARRED Review!

"Sass has created dynamic, original characters who are believable and fun to follow… You can’t help rooting for Ana."

New York Times Book Review

"Vulnerable and affirming."

Kirkus Reviews

"Sass renders scenes on and off the ice with vivid descriptions, and writes nuanced, layered portrayals of characters."

Publishers Weekly

"The tone of the story remains hopeful as [Ana] works toward a new understanding of herself. The personal connection of the author, himself a figure skater who identifies as nonbinary, to the story is evident within its pages in both the nuances of figure skating and Ana's interrogation of gender."

The Horn Book

“Sass’ moving middle grade novel—described by so many as an instant classic—follows Ana into the incredibly gendered space of athletics and beyond those limitations. Through Ana’s eyes, you’ll fall in love with ice skating. More importantly, you’ll question what it means to win as Ana skates towards friendship, fulfillment, and the magic of becoming the best, most genuine version of yourself.”

Chicago Review of Books

Awards & Accolades

Picture Book

Middle Grade

Just Shy of Ordinary
CAMP QUILTBAG
Ellen Outside The Lines
Ana on the Edge