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LGBTQ, straight, young, and old, Pride Month is for everyone. This monthlong celebration is a time of festivities, parades, and remembrance for the LGBTQ community, their friends, families, and allies. Pride Month takes place every June, commemorating the Stonewall Uprising of June 1969, which ignited the gay rights movement in the United States.
In honor of Pride Month, we’ve compiled a list of books to share with your kids, from preschool to young adults. Diversity and inclusion in storytelling is a vital way for gay kids to learn self-acceptance and pride, and to help straight kids learn empathy and become allies. As Sophia Arredondo, queer mother of two and the director of education and youth programs for GLSEN (the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network), previously told Mom.com, "I think a diversity of books is important, whether it's around LGBTQ identity or race and ethnicity or religion."
The right book at the right time can have the power to change lives. “The ability for a child to see themselves, a peer, or a family member reflected in a book is priceless,” Kieran Slattery, a fifth grade teacher who identifies as a queer transgender man, told Scholastic.com. “For some, it can be truly life-changing. It can mean the difference between feeling devastatingly alone to feeling like there’s a place for them in the world.”
Books for Kids
1. Together We March
By Leah Henderson, Illustrated by Tyler Feder
March through history and discover twenty-five groundbreaking protest movements that have shaped the way we fight for equality and justice today in this stunningly illustrated and sweeping book! A picture book about the power of activism for ages 4 to 8.
Available on Amazon
3. Pepper's Rules for Secret Sleuthing
By Briana Macdonald
Nancy Drew meets Harriet the Spy in this action-packed and heartfelt debut middle grade following an overzealous amateur sleuth as she investigates a shocking family secret — and unravels the mystery of her developing feelings for girls. For ages 8 to 12.
Available on Amazon.
4. Beetle & the Hollowbones
By Aliza Layne, Colorist Natalie Riess and Kristen Acampora
“Action-packed yet heartfelt, short and sweet yet riveting.”—SLJ, Starred Review
An enchanting, riotous, and playfully illustrated debut graphic novel following a young goblin trying to save her best friend from the haunted mall—perfect for fans of Steven Universe and Adventure Time. Ages 8 to 12.
Available on Amazon.
Fantasy Books Starring Queer Characters
5. Sweet & Bitter Magic
By Adrienne Tooley
In this charming debut fantasy perfect for fans of Sorcery of Thorns and Girls of Paper and Fire, a witch cursed to never love meets a girl hiding her own dangerous magic, and the two strike a dangerous bargain to save their queendom. Ages 12 and up.
Available on Amazon.
6. A Dark and Hollow Star
By Ashley Shuttleworth
The Cruel Prince meets City of Bones in this thrilling urban fantasy set in the magical underworld of Toronto that follows a queer cast of characters racing to stop a serial killer whose crimes could expose the hidden world of faeries to humans. Ages 14 and up.
Available on Amazon.
7. Chain of Iron
By Cassandra Clare
The Shadowhunters must catch a killer in Edwardian London in this dangerous and romantic sequel to the #1 New York Times bestselling novel Chain of Gold, from New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Cassandra Clare. Ages 14 and up.
Available on Amazon.
8. Storm the Earth
By Rebecca Kim Wells
Maren and her girlfriend Kaia set out to rescue Sev and free the dragons from the corrupt emperor in the explosive finale to the journey that began with the thrilling Shatter the Sky. Ages 14 and up.
Available on Amazon.
Contemporary LGBTQ+ Young Adult Romance Books
9. The Lucky List
By Rachael Lippincott
Rachael Lippincott, coauthor of #1 New York Times bestseller Five Feet Apart weaves a captivating, heartfelt love story about learning who you are, and who you love, when the person you’ve always shared yourself with is gone. Ages 12 and up.
Available on Amazon.
10. The Sky Blues
By Robbie Couch
Sky’s small town turns absolutely claustrophobic when his secret promposal plans get leaked to the entire school in this witty, heartfelt, and ultimately hopeful debut novel for fans of What If It’s Us? and I Wish You All the Best. Ages 12 and up.
Available on Amazon.
11. Indestructible Object
By Mary McCoy
Perfect for fans of What If It’s Us and Mary H. K. Choi, this stunning coming-of-age novel from Printz Honor-award winning author Mary McCoy follows a Memphis teen whose quest to uncover the secrets of love reveals new truths about herself. Ages 12 and up.
Available on Amazon.
