Today’s new LGBTQ-inclusive kids’ books include a picture-book biography of the world’s first openly gay strongman, a non-fiction book about the AIDS crisis, several middle-grade novels by some of the best authors writing for that age, and more!
Picture Books
Strong, by Rob Kearney and Eric Rosswood, illustrated by Nidhi Chanani (Little, Brown): This biography of the world’s first openly gay professional strongman, Rob Kearney, is a pure delight. Bold text is used to good effect to emphasize certain positive qualities and concepts. The messages of being oneself and persisting in the face of self-doubt are clear but never preachy. Also, Rob’s falling in love with a man is presented as no big deal (it’s his bright style that people question), and we see the power of his and partner (now husband) Joey’s loving relationship as Joey cheers Rob to victory. Nidhi Chanani’s illustrations are as bright and bold as Rob himself. A strong addition to any bookshelf. Full review.
Mighty Red Riding Hood: A Fairly Queer Tale, by Wallace West (Little, Brown): In this gender-bent retelling of the classic fairy tale, little Leroy LeRouge’s favorite coat is a frilly red riding hood that his Moo Moo (grandmother) gave him. When a wolf starts to harass him about wearing girls’ clothing, Leroy tells him, “I’m mighty when I wear this,” and refuses to be cowed. (Or wolfed.) He then takes the high road, extending an offer of friendship to the creature. Wolf, Moo Moo, and Leroy bond over a shared dislike of Leroy’s mother’s atrocious muffins, which all assert are “nastier than poo on a shoe.” Silly and scatological, but with a lesson that kids just might remember because of that. Full review.
The Family Tree, by Sean Dixon, illustrated by Lily Snowden-Fine (Tundra Books): A young girl named Ada, who is adopted, worries about how she will do a family tree project for school. Her mother takes her to visit friends and families of all types, including Ada’s sister, who has been adopted by other parents, a two-dad couple, and families formed through assisted reproduction, and together, they all create a beautiful landscape of connections. While some of Ada’s family ties may need a little adult explanation for young readers, the creative ways the characters depict their family connections are inspiring. Full review.
Middle-Grade Books
The Science of Being Angry, by Nicole Melleby (Algonquin): Nicole Melleby has already established herself as one of the leading queer writers of queer-inclusive middle-grade fiction, and one who looks with particular candor and thoughtfulness at mental health. Her talents are again on display in this story centered on 11-year-old Joey, who feels angry all the time and doesn’t understand why. Her two moms are loving. She gets along with the two siblings who are part of her triplet trio and with their older half brother, from one mom’s previous heterosexual marriage. Yet Joey lashes out, sometimes physically—and one incident resulted in their family being evicted from their apartment. When Joey’s science class begins to study genetics, she wonders if the genetics from her anonymous sperm donor have anything to do with her anger, and sets off to find him, aided by her friend Layla, on whom she has a crush. Don’t worry—Melleby doesn’t make the sperm donor a savior with all the answers; her focus is on Joey’s journey. This is not an easy book, as it deals with some challenging topics, but it offers a powerful and thoughtful look at a young person grappling with a mental health challenge at a time of life that is challenging to begin with. Full review.
Every Bird a Prince, by Jenn Reese (Henry Holt): Seventh-grader Eren Evers is most at home riding her bike in the woods. She’s always felt “weird,” and doesn’t understand her two best friends’ obsession with crushes and the upcoming school dance, although she does agree to go with classmate Alex Ruiz in order to be part of her friends’ planned triple date. Before the dance, however, Eren saves an injured bird in the woods—a bird who has magical powers and who needs Eren’s help against an ancient foe that feeds on people’s doubts about themselves. Eren is full of self-doubt, but over the course of the book comes to face many of them and to understand her own aromantic identity. This is a modern-day fable, with plenty of charm and whimsy, but its real strength is Reese’s careful exploration of Eren’s interior thoughts—the doubts, fears, and insecurities that come with being a tween but that can also take on particular urgency for LGBTQIA youth and make it feel like the world is indeed at stake. Full review.
Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor, by Xiran Jay Zhao (Margaret K. McElderry Books): I’ve mentioned this title before as one I’d love to see made into a blockbuster movie. Mythology meets technology in this action-packed novel about a Chinese American boy named Zack who finds himself the unexpected host to the spirit of China’s First Emperor (communicating through Zack’s AR headset), and sent on a mission to plug a leaking portal to the underworld and save China from disaster. There are also hints that Zack is gay, a thread that I assume will be picked up in the (fairly obvious) sequel. There’s a lot of humor here as well (chapter titles include “How to Get Superpowers by Reading Wikipedia” and “How to Scam the Ancient Chinese Justice League”), making it a fun and thrilling read all around. Full review.
What Is the AIDS Crisis? by Nico Medina, illustrated by Tim Foley (Penguin Workshop): Part of Penguin Workshop’s popular Who HQ series, this short (112-page) volume offers tween readers a first look at this sobering subject. Author Nico Medina also weaves in a brief look at the early LGBTQ rights movement and at gay life in the decade after Stonewall. A solid, thoughtful book that doesn’t flinch from looking at the horrors of the disease, how the lack of government response cost lives, and the vital role of community activists. The emphasis on personal stories, not just facts and events, keep this history engaging and relevant to young readers. Full review.
