In the Netflix series, Taco Chronicles, the episode on basket tacos features Marven, the “Lady Tacos de Canasta,” a transgender taco vendor who identifies as ‘muxe’, the third Zapotec indigenous gender. She used her rise to fame from the show to fight against police harassment, using her experiences as an LGBTQIA+ street vendor to run for Congress in Mexico City. In Marven’s culture, transgender muxes are not only accepted in Indigenous society but are considered a blessing.
In other Native American cultures as well, “two-spirit” is a term used to describe Native people who represent a third gender and are revered with a special status in ceremonies and their society. Both of these indigenous examples serve to show how attitudes towards LGBTQIA+ and transgender people are taught and provide a different approach to what we are seeing here in the United States and other countries. Imagine if transgender people were considered a blessing with special significance in important ceremonies and celebrations.
I hope this book list helps celebrate Pride Month in June and is used all year round to celebrate and support our LGBTQIA+ community. It’s part of the Read Your World newest classroom kit: Creating Inclusive Classrooms: LGBTQIA+ Classroom Kit.
We also have merchandise featuring our poster created by Federico Erebia “LGBTQIA+ Books Save Lives”!
What books would you add to this list? Thank you for sharing!
58 LGBTQIA+ Children’s Books
Rainbow: A First Book of Pride by Michael Genhart, illustrated by Ann Passchier
Introduce young readers to the rainbow colors and their significance in celebrating LGBTQIA+ pride. [board book, ages 1 and up]
Mommy, Mama, and Me by
With rhyming text, this picture book depicts a loving lesbian couple with their toddler. [board book, ages 3 and up]
Marley’s Pride by Joëlle Retener, illustrated by DeAnn Wiley
Marley wants to celebrate with their grandparent at the Pride parade, but the crowds and loud noises give them anxiety. This year is different because Marley’s grandparent is receiving an award so Marley decides to brave the crowd and go. Marley finds that it’s easy to make friends here. When their grandparent goes on stage, Marley finds that Pride Day is a place to celebrate belonging, community, and love. [picture book, ages 3 and up]
Is A Mermaid by Jessica Love
On the way home from swimming at the pool with his abuela, Julián sees beautiful mermaids on the subway. He decides to be one too and assembles a costume while his abuela is in the bathroom. She looks at him and gives him a necklace to complete his outfit. Then, she takes him to the beach to find the mermaids he saw on the subway. This is a story about accepting others as their authentic selves by giving them unconditional love and support. [picture book, ages 3 and up]
at the Wedding by Jessica Love
Julián and his abuela are going to a wedding. Julián is in the wedding. He gets to escort the two brides’ dog down the aisle, and Marisol is the flower girl. When the ceremony is over, Julián and Marisol leave to play in a bower of trees. When Marisol soils her dress, Julián has a solution and turns them into fairies. It’s a celebration of love and acceptance! [picture book, ages 3 and up]
The Rainbow Parade: A Celebration of LGBTQIA+ Identities and Allies by Shane Jordan and Rick Hendrix, illustrated by Jieting Chen
This love picture book is a warm hug of positive affirmations for the queer community, especially young readers. It paints a rainbow of color with a message of strength and positivity. The end matter includes more information to learn about understanding, supporting, and celebrating diverse identities. This is a much-needed book for all readers as it supports the LGBTQIA+ community and empowers allies. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
It Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity by Theresa Thorn, illustrated by Noah Grigni
Your feelings about your gender are real. Listen to your heart. No matter what your gender identity is, you are okay exactly the way you are. And you are loved. It feels good to be YOURSELF, doesn’t it?
It can be very confusing to understand gender identity. This is the perfect picture book to explain transgender, cisgender, non-binary, and pronouns. The gentle text is easy to understand and straightforward; it is truly a book that can be used for all ages, including adults! [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Pride Puppy by Robin Steveson, illustrated by Julie McLaughlin
There is a lot to celebrate in this alphabet-rhyming picture book. A family goes to a Pride celebration but when their puppy gets loose, it takes a village to reunite it with the family. The vibrant illustrations depict a celebration of joyous LGBTQIA+ diversity. Readers can also build vocabulary using the Search and Find word list at the end to locate the words within the book. [picture book, ages 3 and up]
Joyful Song: A Naming Story by Leslea Newman, illustrated by Susan Gal
It’s a special day for Zachary and his two moms. Today, his baby sister will experience her first Shabbat and her name will be announced to the world for the first time. As they make their way to the Temple, Zachary sees many neighbors. He almost tells them his baby sister’s name, but instead, he invites them to the ceremony. It’s a beautiful service for a beautiful baby with the most beautiful name ever! [picture book, ages 4 and up]
This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman, illustrated by Kristyna Litten
The rhyming story depicts a Pride Parade that includes all kinds of people including nuns! The exuberant celebration is perfect for classroom libraries to teach acceptance and understanding of the LGBTQ+ community. The Reading List at the end does heavy lifting to give details on the LGBTQ+ history referenced in each page spread. Resources to learn more such as nonprofit organizations and a discussion guide are included, making this book useful for a wide range of children including teenagers! [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag by Rob Sanders, illustrated by Steven Salerno
The Pride flag was the work of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official. He wanted a joyful symbol to combat Hitler’s upside-down pink triangle that was forced upon gay people in Nazi Germany to shame them. Harvey’s friend, Gilbert Baker, came up with the rainbow flag, and it was unfurled on June 25, 1978, at a march to protest inequality and unfair laws. Tragically, Harvey was assassinated five months later, but, because of his death, his Pride flag and event gained momentum. Harvey’s dream for equality, pride, hope, and love is symbolized in the Pride flag. This is a dream worth fighting for. [picture book, ages 3 and up]
Sharice’s Big Voice: A Native American Kid Becomes a Congresswoman by Sharice Davids with Nancy K. Mays, illustrated by Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley
Sharice Davids is the first LGBTQIA+ Native American elected to Congress, and the first of two Native Americans to become a congressperson. While the reference to her sexuality is brief, “They thought I couldn’t win based on what I look like, who I love, and where I started,” her inspiring story recounts how she used her voice, her listening skills, and her hard work and determination to reach many goals including first to college in her family. Since becoming a congresswoman, Sharice has fought for legislation to support the mental health of at-risk LGBTQIA+ youth. [picture book biography, ages 4 and up]
Ho’onani: Hula Warrior by Heather Gale, illustrated by Mika Song
Based on a real person, Ho’onani Kamai does not see herself as a girl or a boy. In ancient Hawaiian culture, people like Ho’oani were called Māhū meaning “in the middle,” and were valued as healers and teachers of ancient traditions. When the local high school decides to showcase a traditional hula chant, Ho’omani decides to audition even though she is not in high school and hula is traditionally done by men. Despite her sister’s disapproval, Ho’onani persists, earning the leadership position for her group. Will the audience accept her? [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Door by Door: How Sarah McBride Became America’s First Openly Transgender Senator by Meeg Pincus, illustrated by Meridth McKean Gimbel
As a child, Sarah McBride knew that she wanted to change the world through politics and she knew who she was inside. Her journey as a rising star in politics was easier than the one about her identity. As student body president at American University, Sarah decided to tell her truth, and her community accepted her. It made the news and it opened doors, not just for her to become the first openly transgender senator, but for her to change the world as a role model and policymaker. The back matter includes information about how to be a trans ally as a cis person. [picture book biography, ages 4 and up]
Strong by Rob Kearney and Eric Rosswood, illustrated by Nidhi Chanani
Rob is a strongman champion and this is his story about being his true authentic self. It turns out that strongmen can wear bright, bold colors! In fact, they help him feel more confident and strong. And this is an important message to all children! The back matter gives more information about the Strongman sport that is a series of weightlifting events. [picture book sports biography, ages 4 and up]
‘Twas the Night Before Pride by Joanna McClintick, illustrated by Juana Medina
Riffing off ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” this story showcases a family getting ready for a Pride Parade. Embedded in the story is the history of the first Pride event at the Stonewall Inn when queer people fought back against oppression and police brutality targeted at their community. The Stonewall Riots were the force behind the spread of Pride events, including the parade celebrated in this story. Juana Medina’s beautiful illustrations depict a joyful atmosphere celebrating a wide range of diversity. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Something Great by Jeanette Bradley
Quinn works in their workshop to create Something Great. Their sisters, mother, and cat don’t understand what it is. When Quinn finds a little girl in a tree overhead, they discover the many uses of Quinn’s Something Great. It turns out that Something Great doesn’t need a label to be great. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Stella Brings the Family by M
This gentle story of Stella’s dilemma for her school Mother’s Day event showcases her loving family with two dads. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
My Dad is a Clown/Mi Papa Es Un Pa
yaso by José Carlos Andrés and Natalia Hernandez
yaso by José Carlos Andrés and Natalia HernandezThis charming bilingual Spanish picture book starts off with a boy who is called a clown in anger. He doesn’t mind. His dad is a clown and he knows what important work is. His other dad is a doctor; together they sneak into clown rehearsal and realize how grueling it is. As the boy ponders his loving fathers and the work they each do, he comes up with a plan to combine both for his future profession. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Heather Has Two Mommies by Lesléa Newman, illustrated by Laura Cornell
When Heather starts school, another child asks her what her daddy does. Heather wonders if she is the only one without a daddy. The teacher has the children draw pictures of their families and there is a wide variety of families including a single mom, two daddies, and a grandparent and child. The teacher tells the class that “the most important thing about a family is that all the people in it love each other.” This classic picture book belongs in every library. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
The Wishing Flower by A.J. Irving, illustrated by Kip Alizadeh
Birdie makes many wishes on a wishing flower but isn’t sure they will ever come true. When a new girl starts school, Birdie feels a connection and makes a new wish. It turns out that they have made the same wish and their wishes from the wishing flower have come true! This is a sweet story about a first crush. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Love, Violet by Charlotte Sullivan Wild, illustrated by Charlene Chua
Violet is too shy to tell Mira that she makes her heart skip and hopes Mira will want to go on adventures with her. Violet makes Mira a special Valentine but is too nervous to give it to her. But because Mira complimented her hat, Violet decides to take a risk and give it to her. When her Valentine gets ruined, Mira still loves it, and they gallop off together in search of adventure! [picture book, ages 4 and up]
And Tango Makes Three by
A true story from New York’s Central Park Zoo illustrates that it only takes love, even in the animal kingdom, to make a family. The penguin house is home to two daddy penguins who adopt an egg and hatch a baby. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Our Subway Baby: The True Story of How One Baby Found His Home by Peter Mercurio, illustrated by Leo Espinosa
In a New York City subway station, a baby wrapped in a sweatshirt was tucked away in a corner. Peter Mercurio spotted the baby and his journey to becoming a dad began with that day. There were hurdles to adopting the subway baby, but a Judge understood that Peter and his husband could offer the baby a loving home. Despite a tiny apartment and an empty piggy bank, Peter and Danny took you home. The author’s note gives an update on the subway baby, now all grown up and in college! Until 2017, it was not always easy for same-sex couples to adopt children depending on what state they lived in. On June 26, 2017, a SCOTUS ruling made adoption by same-sex couples legal in all 50 states and allowed both same-sex parents to be listed on the birth certificate. [picture book biography, ages 4 and up]
Calvin by JR Ford and Vanessa Ford, illustrated by Kayla Harren
Calvin has always known that he is a boy but now comes the scary task of telling his loved ones, including his parents, siblings, and grandparents. When he tells them that he is a boy in his heart and brain, they accept him and help him by using his new name, buying him swim trunks, and new clothes. But now school is starting, and he is nervous about how everyone will react. He is surprised to find his new name everywhere in the classroom. His friends also have no issue using his new name and accepting his new identity. This picture book models how to support transgender children both at home and school. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Kapaemahu by Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer, and Joe Wilson, illustrated by Daniel Souza
Four benevolent spirits traveled from Tahiti to Hawaii. They were neither male nor female, but both, and they gifted the Native Hawaiians their knowledge of the healing arts, transferring their powers to four sacred boulders. But as the tides of time passed, the stones of Kapaemahu became buried and forgotten, and their power diminished.
Mahu is a Native Hawaiian Indigenous third-gender identity and readers can also draw parallels about how the ancients respected transgender people and how modern society has lost its way. [bilingual Hawaiian picture book biography, ages 4 and up]
One of a Kind, Like Me/Único Como Yo by Laurin Mayeno, illustrated by Robert Liu-Trujillo, translated by Teresa Mlawer
This is a gentle story introducing gender diversity. Danny wants to be a purple princess for the school parade, and his family helps him create a costume from thrift store finds. The author hopes that her book gives children a sense of belonging and courage to be who they are, and an appreciation for people who are different from themselves. [bilingual Spanish picture book, ages 4 and up]
Call Me Max by Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by Luciano Lozano
This is a great picture book to understand what it means to be transgender. Told in chapters, Max doesn’t feel like a girl, and that creates complications when school starts. Max’s birth name doesn’t feel right to him. He avoids using the bathroom because gendered bathrooms mean there isn’t one for him. Max also addresses stereotypes of girls who like gross bugs and boys who wear dresses. The final chapter models how parents can support transgender children at school, and that might be the most important message of the book. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
How Are You, Verity? by Meghan Wilson Duff, illustrated by Taylor Barron
Verity is neurodiverse so they don’t understand what kind of response people expect when they ask how they are doing. Her older brother helps them to understand that sharing their knowledge of sea creatures is not the response people expect. When their field trip to an aquarium gets canceled, Verity and their brother find a way to create an aquarium field trip at their home. In this story, Verity’s pronouns are not the point of the story, and that’s exactly why it’s such an important story. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
The Boy and the Bindi by Vivek Shraya, illustrated by Rajni Perera
A young boy admires his mother’s bindi so she gives him one. This rhyming picture book celebrates gender and cultural differences as the bindi is typically only worn by Hindu women. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
A Costume for Charly by C.K. Malone and Alejandra Barajas
Charly identifies as bigender which means they think of themself as being equally male and female and use the pronouns they and them. Halloween is tricky this year as they struggle to find a costume that feels right for them. Some costumes are too feminine, others are too masculine. Charly finds a solution by breaking out their inner costume designer. I like how the story models a realistic response to Charley’s costume with a variety of opinions but ends the story on a self-empowering note. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
I Am Jazz by J
Even today, there are kids who tease me, or me by a boy name or ignore me altogether. This makes me feel crummy.
Then I remember that the kids who get to know me usually want to be my friend. They say I’m one of the nicest girls at school.
This gentle story gives a simple and thorough explanation of a trans girl and the loving acceptance of this transition. This picture book is based on the real-life experience of Jazz Jennings, a spokesperson for trans kids. The straightforward honesty makes this the perfect book for kids to understand what it means to be transgender. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Jerome By Heart by Olivier Tallec, illustrated by Claudia Bedrick
Rafael has a friend, Jerome, who holds his hand, always greets him, shares his snacks, and sticks up for him when kids make fun of him. Rafael’s parents don’t approve of his friendship, so in the face of adversity, he decides to give him a present, an affirmation of his love. Some friendships are worth fighting for. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
You Need to Chill!: a trans pride and acceptance children’s book by Juno Dawson
Kids keep asking about a little girl’s brother Bill because no one has seen him in a while. She tells them that her brother Bill is now Lily. She looks a little different and has a new name but she’s the same person. Upbeat rhymes deliver this empowering message of inclusivity for transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse kids. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Molly’s Tuxedo by Vicki Johnson, illustrated by Gillian Reid
Molly started Kindergarten and her first picture day is coming up. She picked out the perfect spot for it on the family portrait wall. Her mother picked a fancy dress for her but it doesn’t feel right. It’s too puffy, tight at the neck and bunches in all the wrong places. Molly wants to wear her brother’s old tuxedo instead. Her friends like her choice but she hears one doubter. Luckily her friend sticks up for me, saying girls can wear whatever they want. When her school photo comes back, it’s clear from her big smile that Molly made the right decision! [picture book, ages 4 and up]
My Maddy by Gayle E. Pitman, illustrated by Violet Tobacco
Using examples of things that are not one thing or another but in-between, this picture book provides analogies to understand what it means to be transgender. Even the name “Maddy,” is a combination of “Mommy” and “Daddy”. The end notes elaborate that the inspiration behind this story is a person who has an intersex condition which means that the person’s genitals might not match their reproductive organs, or they may have traits of both. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita
When Aidan was born, everyone thought he was a girl, and it took some time to convince them that he was a boy. When he finds out that he is going to be a big brother, he wants to smooth the way for his new sibling to avoid the issues that he had. He worries about being a good big brother until he realizes that the most important thing is to love with his whole heart. [picture book, ages 5 and up]
I’m Not A Girl: A Transgender Story by Maddox Lyons and Jessica Verdi, illustrated by Dana Simpson
12-year-old Maddox Lyon shares his transgender journey as the co-author of this book. Halloween and picture day both highlight to him that he is not a girl. He learns the word “transgender” while playing with new friends in a pool and this gives him the courage to talk to his parents about how he feels. When picture day rolls around again, he is excited for it as he can finally be his authentic self. The end matter lists transgender notables and additional resources for children and adults who want to learn more. My favorite page spread is the one on Women’s History Month that includes Renée Richards, a transgender athlete and activist. [picture book, ages 5 and up]
Families by Jesse Unaapik Mike and Kerry McCluskey, illustrated by Lenny Lishchenko
On his first day of second grade, Talittuq envies his cousin whose dad lives at home because his father lives in another city. He soon learns that there are all kinds of families at his school. His best friend Quakkai has three moms, and his friend Joanasie’s mom lives in another city. This book celebrates diversity in family structures within Talittuq’s Inuit community. [picture book, ages 6 and up]
Glenn Burke, Game Changer: The Man Who Invented the High Five by Phil Bildner, illustrated by Daniel J. O’Brien
Glenn Burke was a game-changer as the first openly gay Major League Baseball player and the inventor of the high five. It cost Glenn his baseball career to live his truth and the stress from this caused a downward spiral. His legacy is also the joyous celebration of the high five, that lives on, not just in baseball, but as part of popular culture worldwide. His bravery paved the path for others, and he’s celebrated today as a member of the National Gay and Lesbian Sports Hall and Fame, and by his former team, the Oakland A’s, who hosted their first Pride Night in 2015 and included a tribute to Glenn. [picture book biography, ages 6 and up]
47,000 Beads by Koja Adeyoha, and Angel Adeyoha, illustrated by Holly McGillis
Two-Spirit describes someone whom non-indigenous people might call gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, and gender-independent/nonbinary. The word Two-Spirit only describes Native/Indigenous/First Nations people and should not be used for others.
Peyton’s aunt asks Peyton why she doesn’t want to dance the jingle dance. It’s the jingle dress. Her auntie understands and decides to ask her community to help create new beaded regalia for Payton. It takes a lot of artisans to create a new belt, headband, harness, aprons, armbands, and cuffs to wear with a ribbon shirt and pants. Finally, Peyton gets to dance as herself, not as a boy or a girl, in 47,000 beads lovingly sewn by her community. [picture book, ages 6 and up]
Desert Queen by Jyoti R. Gopal, illustrated by Svabhu Kohli
Harish Kumar turned to dance after his parents died to support his sisters, wearing the traditional female clothes of Rajasthani folk dancers. As Queen Harish, he mesmerized his audience. But, during the day, when he is living as a boy, he suffers terrible insults and jeers. Still, his fame grows and he becomes a shining light in the desert as a drag performer. [picture book biography, ages 7 and up]
Sam! by
Pair this with I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel. Both picture books are based on true stories about coming out to be their true selves. Born as a girl named Isabel, this is an emotional journey for Sam and his family and they learn to embrace and support who he really is. [picture book, ages 7 and up]
When We Love Someone We Sing to Them: Cuando Amamos Cantamos by Ernesto Javier Martínez, illustrated by Maya Christina Gonzalez
A serenata is a special form of singing that is typically a surprise to a loved one. When a boy learns how to sing a serenata from his father, he decides to sing one to a person he loves but there are no songs for a boy to sing to another boy. After giving pause, his father helps him create his own and helps him perform it. [bilingual Spanish picture book, ages 7 and up]
Riley Reynolds Crushes Costume Day by Jay Albee
Graphic novel spreads scattered throughout the book are helpful both as visual narration and for explaining LGBTQ+ terminology. It’s dress-up day on Friday, and the kids are going to go as characters in a book. Riley comes through for their classmates when they struggle with costume ideas. I found it helpful that this book uses Riley’s nonbinary pronouns “they/them/theirs” and uses Riley’s skills as a costume visionary to highlight a nonbinary child in everyday circumstances in which their gender isn’t the point of the story. Instead, this book models the normalization, acceptance, and beauty of a nonbinary child. [early chapter book, ages 7 and up]
Queer Heroes: Meet 53 LGBT
Q Heroes from Past & Present! by Arabelle Sicardi, illustrated by Sarah Tanat-Jones
53 LGBTQ role models from all over the world are detailed in this anthology from Sappho to Audre Lorde to Frida Kahlo to Leonardo Da Vinci to Tim Cook. The short profiles are engaging and informative and the list of 53 notables is eye-opening and inspiring. [nonfiction anthology, ages 8 and up]
The Deep and Dark Blue by Niki Smith
Twin brothers Hawke and Grayson witness a coup against their father and brother in their kingdom in which a cult of magical women, the Communion of the Blue, spin threads that can alter the course of events. They seek sanctuary with them, pretending to be girls, Hanna and Grayce. Assigned to different tasks, Hanna becomes a novice weaver, and Grayce trains as a warrior. When they discover a way to avenge their father and reclaim their rightful place in the kingdom, Grayson is happy to return to his old life but Hawke discovers that her place is with the Communion of the Blue to live her life as a girl. [graphic novel, ages 8 and up]
Snapdragon by Kat Leyh
Snapdragon befriends the town “witch” Jacks and discovers that she’s just an ordinary old lady who sells the skeletons of roadkill animals on the internet. But Snapdragon soon realizes there is a lot more to Jacks than that. Jacks helps her discover the magic within herself and Snapdragon finds a love connection between Jacks and her grandmother. In trying to fit in, Snapdragon realizes that being a social outsider has its own kind of magic in her ability to befriend others who also feel different. The quirky storyline incorporating magical realism normalizes LGBTQIA+ characters while also being a really fun read. [graphic novel, ages 8 and up]
Zenobia July by Lisa Bunker
Zenobia July is starting over. She moves from Arizona to Maine to live with her Aunts after her Zenobia July is starting over. She moves from Arizona to Maine to live with her Aunts after her father dies. Her previous life was traumatic and now she gets the chance to live as the girl she is inside. But, starting a new middle school is tricky. She makes new friends at the “outcast” table, but what will happen if her new friends find out that she’s transgender? When hateful memes appear on the school’s website and her new friend is outed, she decides to use her formidable hacking skills to find out who the bully is. Lisa Bunker slips in short chapters narrated by supporting characters, allowing them to give their perspective of what is happening. This helps the reader develop empathy and gain a deeper understanding of LGBTQIA+ struggles. [middle grade, ages 8 and up]
Melissa (previously published as George) by Alex Gino
A coming out story of a boy who identifies as a girl. He really wants to play the role of Charlotte in the school’s play Charlotte’s Web and hopes by doing so, his family will realize and accept that he’s really a girl inside a boy’s body. [middle grade, ages 8 and up]
Where the Lost Ones Go by Akemi Dawn Bowman
Eliot Katayama is obsessed with ghosts. It’s because her beloved grandmother, Babung, passed away without saying goodbye. Worse, Babung suffered from Alzheimer’s and forgot who she was. How can Babung pass to the other side if she is missing her memories? Eliot’s parents move them across the country to Maine, hoping that this change of scenery will help Eliot move on. But when she discovers a haunted house in her new town, Honeyfield Hall, she meets a girl her age, Hazel, who is happy to help her with the ghosts in the house who need help finding their missing memories. Hazel might be the key to helping her Babung, but she also might lose her new crush from this quest. This is a satisfying paranormal mystery about the bonds of family. [middle grade, ages 8 and up]
Hurricane Girl by Kheryn Callender
12-year-old Caroline was born in the middle of a hurricane, an unlucky omen in the St. Thomas of the US Virgin Islands where she lives. She feels unlucky as an outcast at school and thinks it’s her fault when her mother leaves their family and disappears. When a new girl, Kalinda, joins her school, Caroline finally has a friend, and an ally to help her find her mother. But when Caroline develops romantic feelings for Kalinda, she might lose her only friend, and miss the chance to find her mother forever. This is a touching coming-of-age story about identity, guardian angels, and how having a single friend can make a difference. [middle grade, ages 8 and up]
Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor by Xiran Jay Zhao
Fans of The Kane Chronicles and video gaming will love this book that melds Chinese history with action-packed fantasy adventure. The setup is genius. Zachary Ying doesn’t realize that he is a descendant of the most famous emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, a.k.a. Ying Zheng, who unified China, commissioned the Terra-Cotta Army and built the Great Wall. Qin Shi Huang, in attempting to take over Zachary Ying’s body, ends up instead embedded in his gaming device, an ocular device used to play Mythrealm. When Zachary meets the new kid, Simon (the only other Asian at his school), he gets pulled into an epic adventure to stop the Chinese spirit world from invading Earth and save his mother. Oh, Zachary is also a 12-year-old Muslim Chinese gay boy but that is entirely beside the point, at least in this first book of a series. I particularly like how Xiran Jay Zhao wove in current events in China including the genocide of Muslim Chinese Uyghurs. [middle grade, ages 8 and up]
Lulu Sinagtala and the City of Noble Warriors by Gail D. Villanueva
Fans of Percy Jackson will love this action-adventure story featuring Filipino mythology. Lulu Sinagtala is bisexual and epileptic but that feels like it’s almost beside the point. Lulu is ready to enjoy Christmas vacation when a mythical creature attacks her and kidnaps her mother. From this encounter, she discovers she has superhuman strength and a bloodline to Tagalog deities. There are more surprises in her neighborhood when everyone starts to reveal their true mythological identity. It’s up to her, her best friend Bart, and her sister Kitty to find her in the underworld and rescue her. [middle grade, ages 8 and up]
Meow or Never by Jazz Taylor
Avery Williams has crippling anxiety, making it difficult for her to make friends at the middle school after a move due to her father’s new job. She has an amazing voice, but only when no one can hear her. When she finds a stray cat behind the stage, she’s finally made a new friend. But when her crush, Nic, hears her, Avery finds herself auditioning for the musical and landing the lead part. With new human friends Nic and Harper, Avery must control her panic attacks to perform on stage, but will her friends understand her secrets and how will she handle theirs? This is a sweet coming-of-age middle school story about making friends by being your true authentic self. [middle grade, ages 8 and up]
The One Who Loves You the Most by Medina
An English assignment about being your most authentic self has 12-year-old Gabriella struggling to know where to begin. As a Honduran adoptee into an all-white family, she already feels out of place. But it’s more complicated than that. Sometimes, she has to be the adult when her mother struggles with depression. She’s also had a crush on Maya for a long, long time, but she is still trying to figure out what that means. Medina pens a love letter for anyone who has ever felt in-between and gives space in this story to explore trans and queer identities that include nonbinary and asexual. [middle grade, ages 8 and up]
Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Hammer of Thor by Rick Riordan
Riordan introduces a gender-fluid newcomer to Valhalla, Alex Fierro. Sometimes identifying as a girl, and sometimes as a boy, somehow Magnus is able to discern her gender fluidity. Her father is Loki, a shapeshifter who also has assumed both male and female identities in many forms including animals, this character really helps the reader to understand what it means to be gender fluid. [middle grade, ages 9 and up]
Obie is Man Enough by Schuyler Bailar
Obie is in a complicated friendship triangle that has fallen apart. When he was Sarah, his best friends were swim teammates Clyde and Lucy. Clyde’s dad was also his swim coach. Once he transitioned to Obie, his coach kicked him off the team. He found a new swim team but things are weird with Lucy, and Clyde is bullying him at school. Still, things are looking up. His new teammates have his back, and his first crush seems to be going well. But one thing his old coach said haunts him. Should he be competing against boys instead of girls if he wants to make the Junior Olympics? Can he show everyone that being a Korean American transgender athlete is also a definition of manhood? [middle grade, ages 10 and up]
The House You Pass on the Way by Jacqueline Woodson
Thirteen-year-old Staggerlee has always felt like an outsider, but it’s not because she is bi-racial or that her grandparents are famous for having died in an anti-Civil Rights bombing. When her cousin Tyler comes to stay with them because she has “misguided” feelings towards girls, Staggerlee can finally share her own struggles and feelings with her about being gay. This is a tender intersectional coming-of-age story. [middle grade, ages 10 and up]
In the Key of Us by Mariama J. Lockington
Andi’s life turned upside down after her free-spirited artist mother died suddenly in a car accident. Now she’s moved from Grand Rapids to Detroit to live with her childless aunt and uncle. When her aunt gets pregnant, Andi wonders if this is the reason they want her to go to a music sleepaway camp. She meets Zora, her bunkmate, in her cabin who has her own problems. Zora’s an only child with her life mapped out by her parents. They are the only two Black girls at camp and help each other to thrive. Andi starts to find joy through her trumpet again, and Zora gets to explore her first love, dance. But there is more to their friendship but is it worth the risk to dare to wish for more? In the Key of Us’s setting at a competitive music camp where musicians fight for practice time is the perfect backdrop for a coming-of-age story of finding family, identity, and acceptance. [middle grade, ages 10 and up]
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My books:
We Sing from the Heart: How the Slants® Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- ⭐ Starred review from School Library Journal!
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Massachusetts Book Award Long List
- dPICTUS 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award Long List
- Nautilus Silver Winner, Nonfiction Children’s Picture Book
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me
