Three terrific new LGBTQ-inclusive books are coming out today, two by creative pairs who have already won places in my heart, and one by an author making a middle-grade debut!
Click titles or images for full reviews and purchase links!
Bring together the talents of Lesléa Newman, the award-winning poet and author of 75 books for readers of all ages (including the classic Heather Has Two Mommies), and Pura Belpré Honor Award-winning illustrator and educator Maya Gonzalez, and chances are, the results will be terrific. That’s the case with I Can Be,,,Me!, a joyous, rhyming celebration of self-expression. Six children diverse in skin tones, whose genders are never specified but could be variously read as boys, girls, or nonbinary, play, create, feel, and interact. No one is labeled and no one is excluded for who they are as they imagine themselves as astronauts, magicians, mermaids, pirates, princes, and princesses. They also show us that it’s okay to show emotion—to pound a pillow when one is mad, rock in a chair when feeling sad, or ask for a hug when frightened. Mostly, though, they show the joy inherent in being themselves, and let readers know that they can do so, too.
Gonzalez’s colorful characters move, frolic, and express themselves in her signature style as Newman’s words offer inspiring, affirming examples of the possibilities open to any child. This is a gem of a book that should find many fans.
Co-written by two of the best authors of middle-grade books on the planet, Nicole Melleby and A. J. Sass, Camp QUILTBAG (Algonquin) is an absolute joy that deserves a prominent place in any collection of books for youth. Twelve-year-old Abigail, who was outed as a lesbian at her Catholic school, is looking forward to two weeks at the all-queer space of Camp QUILTBAG. Thirteen-year-old Kai would rather be at home with eir parkour team, but eir parents think that camp would be a safe place after an incident with bullies left eir arm injured. Abigail wants the self-confident Kai’s help in making friends, so they make a pact. Abigail will help Kai’s cabin win the all-camp competition if e helps her make friends.
The storylines of awkward tween/early teen social dynamics and first crushes that are common to so many middle-grade novels find a place here, but they are seen through the lens (or more accurately, lenses) of queer youth in a fully queer environment. This is new and needed. Despite a few small errors related to Jewish practice (detailed in my full review) that don’t mar the larger story, Camp QUILTBAG deserves a wide readership. And while the ending feels like an ending, there are also hints of a possible sequel, which would be delightful indeed.
Dear Mothman, by Robin Gow (Amulet), is a touching, elegantly crafted, and unique novel in verse. Sixth-grader Noah, who is autistic and transgender, is grieving the death of his friend Lewis, the only other trans boy in Noah’s school. He begins writing letters to Mothman, Lewis’s favorite cryptid, even if he isn’t sure he believes in Mothman the way Lewis did. But Noah senses that Mothman may be misunderstood like Noah himself is, and uses the letters to open up about his own thoughts and feelings.
His parents and teachers worry that he is too caught up in the idea of this creature. We see him, though, beginning to make friends with a small group of other students, fellow outsiders, and even developing a first crush. But will this help him as he is pulled further towards following where Mothman may lead? The book is in turn thoughtful, poignant, and hopeful as author Robin Gow masterfully explores grief, change, self, and what it means to be a monster.
