LGBTQIA+ Books for All
AT A LOSS FOR GIFTS TO get for an LGBTQIA+ child (or parent) in your life? Books are always a great choice, and I don’t just say that as the daughter of a school librarian. Year upon year, the selection of queer literature for kids grows, from board books for the littlest ones with two moms or dads to YA novels for tweens and teens exploring their own identities of gender and sexuality.
Although there are many non-fiction books about sex and gender for young people seeking to understand themselves and others around them, and certainly many that are worth reading for children and teenagers to understand LGBTQIA+ history, I’ve chosen to highlight works of fiction.
Many of these books have been banned in schools and libraries throughout the US and have been subject to “don’t say gay” purges of media materials in states with governments that fear all they do is indoctrinate and taint young minds.
That, of course, couldn’t be further from the truth. Representation stops children and families from feeling alone, lowers the risk of mental ill health and suicide, and increases understanding of diversity -- theirs, or whomever family member, friend, or member of the community identifies as LGBTQIA+. Here are some recommended reads for ages zero to sixteen -- and beyond.
Board Books
Federico and All His Families by Mili Hernández, illustrated by Gómez
Picture books that normalize different family structures are so important, especially when society starts pushing back so early that what parents look like are cisgender, heterosexual moms and dads.
This book tells the story of a neighborhood cat who visits different families as they begin their day, such as families with two moms and two dads, a single-parent family, and grandparents raising grandchildren. It is almost “incidental representation”, introducing concepts like family diversity to toddlers but without that being its only focus.
Love in the Wild by Katy Tanis
This contains lovely rhymes and colorful animals in rainbow colors to highlight the many different kinds of love that exist with the animal kingdom -- and with humans. It’s based on genuine scientific observation of same-sex couples, adoption, and non-binary gender expression.
This is a really cute book for little ones still learning their animals and colors.
Daddy, Papa, and Me / Mommy, Mama, and Me by Lesléa Newman and illustrated by Carol Thompson
Two separate books, but why not buy them as a set for greater diversity in your queer children’s book collection? They both use sweet and gentle rhymes about a happy family doing their daily activities, such as playing dress up and baking pie, with love.
The books explode with the joy of having two same-sex parents, without labeling them, so it fits bisexual parents rather than just gay and lesbian ones.
Picture Books
When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita
This book explores the common experience of becoming a sibling while navigating being a young child and coming out as transgender. It does so with emotional intelligence and depth, as well as a warm spirit, about a BIPOC family.
I especially like that there is parental accountability for making mistakes about gender being modeled for the reader and it shows parental support of a transgender child as an individual as well as part of the family unit.
My Maddy by Gayle E. Pitman, illustrated by Violet Tobacco
This introduces kids to the idea of a non-binary parent, who is both mom and dad, or neither. It is loving and affirming to the idea that some of the best things in the world aren’t one or other, including other things in life, such as sporks and hazel eyes.
This author’s earlier rhyming book about Pride parades is wonderful, but there is a special depth and beauty to this one. The’s also information about transgender and nonbinary parents for cisgender parents just being introduced to this topic, which is a nice touch.
Prince & Knight by Daniel Haack, illustrated by Stevie Lewis
An adorable and well-drawn queer fairy tale. Not every prince wants to marry a princess, and when the prince and knight fight a dragon together, this tender story explores gay acceptance and unconditional love.
It also shows parents who are only completely supportive, for a traditional fairy tale ending where everyone lives happily ever after.
Early Chapter Books
Riley Reynolds series by Jay Albee
This is about nonbinary fourth grader Riley and her best friends doing normal things that all kids do like having costume day at school, going to the park, enjoying summer vacation, and doing household chores. All of the stories include themes of diversity, inclusion, social justice, empathy, and improving the world.
Honestly, it is hard to find LGBTQIA+ early reader books for some reason, and I was tempted to just put three books in the series. They are absolutely groundbreaking for nonbinary folx to be represented as almost incidental in this age group and in happy, positive stories.
B in the World by Sharon Mentyka and illustrated by Steven Schlott
Sometimes seven-year-old second grader B. Browing likes wearing girls clothes and other times he likes boys clothes. The people around him doesn’t always understand why he does that, but it feels right to him, as he deals with the usual issues of school and his age group.
Whether it’s about a transgendered girl or a boy with traditionally feminine interests isn’t made clear, and it doesn’t need to be. It sensitively deals with elementary-aged children trying different things and learning about their own identities.
How Would You Feel If Your Dad Was Gay? By Ann Heron and Meredith Maran
This was a groundbreaking and seminal book when it was independently published over thirty years ago, and may be hard to find. But it stands the test of time as a book about two siblings in elementary school who have completely different comfort levels with their gay parents by covering a range of reactions to the topic from them and their peers.
Some of the ways people respond won’t always be kind, and this provides something of a script for kids to deal with that, which hasn’t changed with time. I’d like to think today’s kids (and parents) feel less shame and loneliness, though.
Middle Readers
Melissa By Alex Gino
To show how far we’ve come in such a short time, this book was originally titled with the deadname of the main character. However, 4th grader Melssa’s development includes how they feel about what they’re called and how that’s relevant to their gender identity. The word “transgender” isn’t even used until halfway through as Melissa begins to realize that’s what they are. Melissa fights to come out and be respected for who she is.
The genuine and varied responses Melissa receives from family, friends, teachers, and classmates are sometimes difficult, but very true to the lived experiences of trans* and non-binary children, which explains the popularity of this book.
Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky
Between a middle reader and a YA, this book is about a transgender 12-year-old sixth-grader trying to accept herself and come out to her parents, friends, and school, risking bullying and rejection by leaving the secret behind and living her true gender identity. Indeed, Grayson learns who her true friends are by how they treat her.
Especially good for kids who have lost a parent, although some people raising children might consider some aspects of this novel to be a little stereotypical.
Different Kinds of Fruit by Kyle Lukoff
With various portrayals of the spectrum of gender and sexuality, this book has queer representation down. There are lesbians, bisexuals, and transfolk of all stripes in the community in this novel about kids on the cusp of being middle schoolers -- and weaves the intricacies of gender and sexuality politics with some surprising twists.
The main character learns about herself, her parents, her teachers, and the changing world around her. This story is especially unique because there are a variety of adults and children who are both LGBTQIA+ and not, making it a useful read for all children’s and family situations.
Young Adult (YA)
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
A multiple winner of both mainstream and LGBTQIA+ awards, this is a Latinx coming-of-age story of two teenagers who become friends, through the perceptions and the inner life of one of them. Although they both experience significant life difficulties, it’s always good to see strong and positive parent/child relationships in YA, especially those dealing with queer themes.
This book deals with life-changing, scary, and heart-wrenching aspects of growing up and finding yourself via exploring identity, community, family, friendship, and love.
Rainbow Road by Alex Sanchez
The third in a trilogy, this book is about what it means to be on the verge of adulthood as well as gay or bisexual. Three young men, one of whom lost his college sports scholarship after coming out, embark on a post-graduation road trip before college and employment. Each of them embarks on a personal journey of discovery, love, friendship, and even anti-LGBTQIA+ prejudice.
Over fifteen years since publication, it has now influenced a generation of readers (and writers). It was -- and frankly is still -- groundbreaking for a book about gay men to include any mention of bisexuality, especially one that isn’t negative.
Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
Most fictional books about what it was like to be gay in the 1950s are a bit pulpy or sad, but this novel about a Chinese-American teenager figuring out her lesbian sexuality during the moral panic about Communism has hope. Lesbians find love and community even in a time of intense oppression and fear.