The month of June is Pride month -- a time when we especially commemorate the the lives and accomplishments of LGBTQIA+ folks and the struggle by LGBTQIA+ people to earn equal rights. This is a time of year where we can empower all types of people and celebrate them for being who they are. It's also a great time to have conversations with your children about empathy, kindness, and inclusion. Here are some great LGBTQ+ middle grade books to read with older elementary kids this Pride.
By Alex Gino
New York: Scholastic, 2022. Fiction. 162 pgs.
Nonbinary seventh graders Sam and TJ decide to enter a contest to design a statue for a local historical figure in their hometown neighborhood of Staten Island. The two choose to design a statue of queer photographer Alice Austen, a turn-of-the-century Staten Island resident who once lived in Sam's apartment. For Sam and TJ, learning about queer history in their community is an important and affirming experience. This book celebrates the importance of having a welcoming and understanding community, and highlights the importance of intergenerational communication.
By Kathryn Ormsbee
New York: Harper, 2021. Fiction. 309 pgs.
For 13-year-old Cline Alden, music is life. Her dream is to become a professional country music star like Patsy Cline -- her namesake. Because her practical, single-parent mother discourages Cline's interest in music, Cline decides to secretly attend a singer-songwriter workshop. There she meets Sylvie, a girl who becomes her friend and, for Cline who is secretly gay, maybe more. As Cline's summer progresses, she gains confidence in her identity and learns how to be confidently, unapologetically herself -- even in the face of betrayal from a friend she thought she trusted.
By Phil Stamper
New York: Harper, 2022. Fiction. 260 pgs.
After 13-year-old Jake comes out as gay to his parents, his dad installs a massive pride flag in their front yard -- spurring uncomfortable reactions from some of his neighbors, especially the mayor who actively silences discussions about LGBTQ+ people. With help from his friends, including the mayor's son Brett, Jake makes plans to host the first pride festival in his small town, an event that he hopes will be "huge and full of joy." This is an accessible and readable novel about a kid standing up for what he thinks is right as he finds his place in the world.
By Jarad Greene
New York: HarperAlley, 2021. Comic. 232 pgs.
In this semi-autobiographical graphic novel, eighth-grader Jay Violet faces a lot of the problems that come with growing up. Jay struggles with bullies and with his self-esteem, especially because of his severe acne. To treat his acne, his doctor prescribes Accutane -- a medication with lots of side-effects and necessitating a special diet. Though the book focuses on Jay's struggles with acne -- a familiar topic for many tweens -- we also see him come to terms with making and losing friends and growing into his asexual/aromantic identity. This book does a good job of showing how queer identity is important, but not the only important thing a kid might deal with.
By Aliza Layne
New York: Atheneum Books, 2020. Comic. Unpaged.
12-year-old Beetle is a goblin who lives with her grandmother, the helpful and friendly town witch. Beetle finds goblin magic unbelievably boring and idolizes sorcery, the more celebrated craft that her best friend Kat Hollowbone practices. Speaking of Kat, she's just returned to town, and nothing between Beetle and Kat feels like it used to. When they learn that Kat's cruel but powerful aunt Marla seeks to destroy the local mall, where their friend Blob Ghost lives, the two girls band together to free Blob Ghost and save their town. As they grow closer they realize their friendship may have transformed into something more.
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