No, I’m not showcasing banned LGBTQ books for Banned Books Week. Fact is, all LGBTQ books are under threat, and there’s at least one school district where every LGBTQ-inclusive book is banned. Instead, as usual, I’m simply going to highlight great LGBTQ kids’ books that should be on your shelves—including a brand-new one by the inimitable Alex Gino!
Click titles or images for full reviews and purchase links!
Green, by Alex Gino (Scholastic). Gino brings us back to the world of their Stonewall and Lambda Literary Award-winning Melissa (and its follow-up, Rick), this time centering queer, nonbinary kid Green, a friend of Melissa and Rick’s at Jung Middle School—and the book is Pure. Queer. Joy.
Green’s life is good; they’re comfortable with themself, have lots of friends, and a supportive family. Their only problem is a crush on Ronnie, another member of the school’s Rainbow Spectrum club. Ronnie has joined the club because he has two moms, but he identifies as a “cis het guy”—or does he? The relationship unfolds against the backdrop of the school musical, as the performers and crew, many of whom are also in Rainbow Spectrum, work to make the musical more gender inclusive.
This is a delightful book about queer kids (Green in particular, but also their friends) figuring things out about and advocating for themselves, and finding support from both queer elders and allies. While it may not always be easy being Green, it is also, as Gino tells us up front, “pretty great”—and that’s a beautiful thing to show young readers.
The Problem With Gravity, by Michelle Mohrweis (Peachtree). Set at the same junior high as Mohrweis’s The Trouble With Robots, this volume brings us new protagonists and situations with some recurring secondary characters. Seventh-grader Maggie Weir, who is autistic and ADHD, wants to be an aerospace engineer. The only thing she likes more than spacecraft might be Tatum Jones, the smart, pretty, popular, baton-twirling eighth-grader she has a crush on. When they’re teamed up for an engineering project, Maggie wonders if she’ll be able to share her feelings. Each of the girls is dealing with family problems, though, which complicate their lives and could jeopardize their relationship.
Mohrweis, a real-life STEM educator, once again incorporates many bits of STEM learning into the story. More impressive than the STEM factoids, however, is the thoughtful navigation of difficult family issues and the seamless inclusion of characters who are diverse in many ways.
Alex Wise vs. the End of the World, by Terry J. Benton-Walker (Labyrinth Road). When Alex Wise’s sister is possessed by the ancient spirit of Death, and the other three Horsemen (-people!) of the Apocalypse are also unleashed. Luckily, Alex also becomes possessed by a god (who happens to be nonbinary and asexual), and encounters a young demi-god, Liam, who knows more about the powers at work and may be able to help. But Alex is finding it hard to control his powers, Liam is uncooperative, and the Horsemen are causing increasing chaos. Can Alex, Loren, and Liam find a way to stop them, while also saving his sister?
There’s action aplenty here and delightful banter among the characters, plus magical weapons, ancient gods, a same-sex crush, and themes of both self-growth and friendship, making this a compelling read.
Nell of Gumbling: My Extremely Normal Fairy-Tale Life, by Emma Steinkellner (Labyrinth Road). A hilarious graphic novel/diary hybrid told from the perspective of a girl living a very average life with her two dads in the land of Gumbling, a magical enclave of the modern world. When Nell doesn’t get her desired seventh-grade apprenticeship, but is stuck with the town’s “boring” lorekeeper, she thinks her life is ruined. Then two strangers arrive in town, intent on turning Gumbling into a profitable fairy-tale-themed resort. Can Nell navigate shifting friendships, find her own place, and rescue Gumbling? Steinkellner has perfectly nailed the blend of relatable, contemporary characters and magical, fairy-tale worldbuilding. Absolutely delightful.
The Lonely Book, by Meg Grehan (Little Island Books). A moving novel-in-verse about a two-mom family, their magical bookshop, and one child who comes out as nonbinary, told through the eyes of their sibling. There are wonderful messages here about learning to be comfortable in ourselves and helping others do the same; navigating change; the power of families; and the importance of providing books not only where people can see themselves but where they can also learn about others. A lovely read.
Dear Rebel: 125+ Women Share Their Secrets to Taking on the World (Rebel Girls). An anthology of advice and experiences from teen and older women of many identities and origins. The contributors use a variety of forms—letters, poems, essays, self-portraits, and more—to share thoughts on topics like finding your voice, being resilient, overcoming challenges, and following your passion.
Queer women are unsurprisingly included, including teen queer activist Molly Pinta, teen trans activist Stella Keating, mountaineer and social entrepreneur Silvia Vasquez-Lavado, Olympians and spouses Helen and Kate Richardson-Walsh, software engineer and social influencer Miriam Haart (who was featured on Netflix’s My Unorthodox Life), and model and skateboarder Brooklinn Khoury.
Don’t forget to check out the other recent LGBTQ books I rounded up for fans of The Great British Bakeoff (but really for anyone)!