The finalists for the 34th Annual Lambda Literary Awards include five children’s and middle grade books that should be on your reading lists! Learn more about them below.
Overall, there were finalists in 24 categories, selected by a panel of over 60 literary professionals from more than 2,300 book submissions—the highest in Lammy Award history. Here are the children’s and middle grade titles, with my summaries (click through for more information, longer reviews, and purchase options):
Calvin, by JR and Vanessa Ford, illustrated by Kayla Harren (G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers). Calvin has always known he’s a boy. In this sweet and gentle first-person story, he tells readers of his journey as he transitions with the support of his parents, brother, grandparents, friends, and teacher. A lovely book that shows the good that can happen when a trans child gets all the love they need and deserve.
Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea, by Ashley Herring Blake (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers). A poignant middle-grade novel about grief, friendship, and family, starring a girl with two moms, one of whom has died in an accident. The story includes adult bisexual characters and a nonbinary young person (not the protagonist, but a significant secondary character). Lyrical and moving, it is bittersweet but ultimately hopeful in its message about the power of healing and change.
Love, Violet, by Charlotte Sullivan Wild, illustrated by Charlene Chua (Farrar, Straus and Giroux Books for Young Readers). This charmingly written and beautifully illustrated book is also, importantly (to the best of my knowledge), the first picture book to clearly depict a young girl’s same-sex crush. Only one person in her class “made Violet’s heart skip”—Mira. Violet dreams of “astounding Mira with heroic feats” and going on adventures together. Can she overcome her fears and approach Mira about her feelings? The story allows these queer children to have what they deserve: happiness, with no one criticizing or questioning their relationship.
Stitch by Stitch: Cleve Jones and the AIDS Memorial Quilt, by Rob Sanders, illustrated by Jamey Christoph (Magination Press). Rob Sanders shows why he’s one of the leading authors of children’s books about LGBTQ history, with a lyrical and moving book that conveys a life, an era, and a somber topic in a way both informative and age appropriate. Sanders does not talk down to his young audience, but also manages to make the story accessible, clear, and respectful of its subject.
The Fabulous Zed Watson!, by Basil Sylvester and Kevin Sylvester (HarperCollins). Zed Watson is a self-described “very flamboyant and well-regarded drama kwing,” a combination of “king” and “queen” as befits their nonbinary identity. Yet Zed’s confidence in that identity is only one of the great things about this fun middle grade mystery involving an unpublished gothic romance novel called The Monster’s Castle and a road trip to find it. Zed’s first-person narrative showcases their creative, geeky, and dramatic spirit, making this a hugely entertaining yarn.
Visit the Lambda Literary site for the full list, including grown-up and young adult titles.
Those of you who have been reading my reviews for the books in my database, and who have been keeping tabs on other books lists and awards, like the American Library Association’s Youth Media Awards and Rainbow Book List, know that we are in a period of excellence when it comes to LGBTQ-inclusive books for young people. The five books above are only scratching the surface of what’s out there. That is not to say that there aren’t more stories that need to be told and more identities (and intersections thereof) to be explored; but much of what is being published now truly shines. I don’t envy the judges for having to choose, but I do envy those of you getting to meet these stories and characters for the first time.