Second-generation queer kids—queer kids with queer parents—are seeing a wave of representation in books right now. It’s a myth that LGBTQ parents “make” our kids LGBTQ, but statistically, some are going to be, so it’s great to see their growing inclusion!
Much early research on children of LGBTQ (mostly gay and lesbian) parents was intended to counter the myth that we “make” our kids LGBTQ, and to provide support for queer parents leaving heterosexual marriages and fighting for child custody, as Abigail Garner explained in her 2004 book, Families Like Mine: Children of Gay Parents Tell It Like It Is
That stigma may be gradually shifting. Second-gen queer kids have slowly had more representation, notably on Freeform’s 2013-18 series The Fosters, where Jude, a son of moms Stef and Lena, came out as gay and gave us television’s youngest same-sex kiss on television. I’ve also reviewed five middle-grade books and one picture book in the past year that include second-gen protagonists. Going back just a few years further, there are several more titles. Over at Bookriot, a recent newsletter by Danika Ellis observed this same trend in five recent young adult books. (I don’t cover YA myself.) I’ve therefore created a “Queer kid w/queer parent(s)” tag for my database so you can easily find books with “second-gen” queer characters. Below is a roundup of what’s there so far—but the tag will pull any additional items in the future.
I’ll also note that not all of the young characters explicitly identify as LGBTQ; some are still questioning or never label themselves. I’m including them here anyway for the possibilities they represent under our broad umbrella.
Click through for full reviews!
Middle Grade
Brand-new this week is Fight + Flight, by Jules Machias (Quill Tree Books), where Avery, one of the two protagonists, is pansexual and has two moms, one of whom is a trans woman. The outgoing and headstrong Avery also has hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which affects her joints and could progressively worsen. The other protagonist, Sarah, is quiet and prone to panic attacks. When an active shooter drill at the school goes wrong, each responds uncharacteristically, leading them into friendship and possibly more as they consider their responses and their futures.
The Science of Being Angry, by Nicole Melleby (Algonquin). Eleven-year-old Joey feels angry all the time, even at her two loving moms, and doesn’t understand why. When one incident results in their family being evicted from their apartment, she is determined to find out the cause of her anger, and wonders if the genetics from her sperm donor have anything to do with it. She sets out to track him down with the help of her crush. (But don’t worry; Melleby is astute enough not to bring in the sperm donor as a savior with all the answers.)
Different Kinds of Fruit, by Kyle Lukoff (Dial). Annabelle expects her sixth-grade year to be boring. But she develops a crush on a new nonbinary student, and in discussing them with her mom and dad, learns that her dad is trans but has lived a “stealth” life for many years. (That’s not really a spoiler, as it’s in the marketing material.) At the end of the book, she shares that she thinks “pan” [pansexual] might be how she identifies. A story about queer people in connection, conversation, and occasional conflict, across and within generations.
It’s a Hit, by Arin Cole Barth and Marika Barth (Flamingo Rampant). Taylor, one of the two protagonists in this book about defining one’s own masculinity, has two moms, one cis and one trans. Taylor is sometimes gender creative in his dress and thinks he may be aromantic. The second protagonist, Wil, is a trans boy.
Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea, by Ashley Herring Blake (Little Brown). Twelve-year-old Hazel grew up in a two-mom family, although one died in a kayaking accident two years ago. Moving to a new town offers new possibilities for healing. Over the course of the book, we see her develop a crush on a nonbinary friend.
Hurricane Season, Nicole Melleby (Algonquin). As 11-year-old Fig copes with her dad’s mental illness, she finds herself jealous of the relationship developing between him and a helpful (male) neighbor, even as she develops a crush on a girl at school.
The Midwinter Witch, by Molly Knox Ostertag (Graphix). In this third installment of a graphic novel trilogy set in a fantasy world, we meet the two dads of Charlie, one of the protagonist’s close friends. Charlie (a girl) also seems to be developing feelings for another girl.
The Anti-Book, by Raphael Simon, illustrated by Ben Scruton (Dial). In this fantastical and funny tale, middle-schooler Mickey’s mom and dad are divorced, and each is now engaged to a woman. His sister and her boyfriend annoy him; the latter uses “gay” as a slur. Mickey wishes they would all go away—which happens with the help of a magical book. But is this what he really wanted? The book also raises the question about whether Mickey is gay. He isn’t sure, but it remains an open question.
Picture Books
Good Dream Dragon, by Jacky Davis and illustrated by Courtney Dawson (Little, Brown). A child who uses they/them pronouns (and has a trans flag above their bed) is put to bed by their two moms. They worry about having bad dreams, but the Good Dream Dragon offers a magical solution. Not out until October 25, but available for preorder.
Miss Rita, Mystery Reader, by Kristen Wixted and Sam Donovan, illustrated by Violet Tobacco (Farrar, Straus and Giroux), is the first picture book to show a child whose father is a drag queen. Tori’s dad is going to be the Mystery Reader in Tori’s class, and Tori has asked him to come as his drag persona, Miss Rita. Tori (who is nonbinary) helps Daddy get ready. Tori starts to worry, though, that their friends won’t like Miss Rita as much as they do. Daddy says he’ll go as his regular self if Tori prefers—but then Tori has an idea, and dons their own sparkly, colorful outfit to be Miss Rita’s assistant. The class is enthralled.
The Best Bed for Me, by Gaia Cornwall (Candlewick). Mommy and Mama want their young child, Sweet Pea, to go to bed. Like kids everywhere, though, Sweet Pea knows how to stall—but author/illustrator Gaia Cornwall turns the stalling into a fun romp through the animal kingdom as Sweet Pea wants to sleep in a tree like a koala, then holding hands like sea otters, upside down like a bat, then standing up like a penguin…. Sweet Pea is never gendered and could easily be read as nonbinary.
Bell’s Knock Knock Birthday, by George Parker, illustrated by Sam Orchard (Flamingo Rampant). A nonbinary child with a Baba and a Papa welcomes their gender diverse friends and family to their birthday party. The party guests include “Grandmani,” who also uses “they” pronouns.
A Princess of Great Daring, by Tobi Hill-Meyer, illustrated by Eleanor Toczynski (Flamingo Rampant). A transgender girl (who happens to have two moms) spends her first day at school after transitioning. Although her friends are supportive of her transition, she has to dispel stereotypes about girls.
For even more on queer people with queer parents—and grandparents, and more—have a listen to this 2019 podcast from Family Equality, speaking with two COLAGE members, one a third-generation and one a fourth-generation queer person!
