Sometimes the only thing better than a good book is a good book series. Middle grade readers will love to reengage with the compelling characters and worlds of the many LGBTQ-inclusive novels that had sequels come out this year!
I’ve included all the books in each series below, for those who have yet to discover them. Click images for full reviews—and stay tuned for the sequels to some of the books that saw first volumes in 2024!
A joyous, nuanced, sword-swinging adventure with a nonbinary protagonist.Nonbinary Callie is hopeful for change in Helston—until they learn things that cause them to doubt what they have long been taught.Nonbinary Callie and friends are scattered far and wide as each fights in a different way for the future of the realm.A protagonist of color leads this book about young witches that asks, “What happens when the sorting hat puts you nowhere?”The magical sequel to Witchlings, with seamless queer inclusion and themes of friendship and social justice. Seven and friends discover long-hidden secrets about their town and conspiracies to keep them quiet.Sixth-grader “Boog” and friends Cedrick (who has two dads) and Jules (who uses they/them pronouns) learn that vampires aren’t as extinct as it was hoped.Boog and friends are back for another exciting and slightly spooky adventure with strong currents of friendship and community,Boog and friends return for a third adventure as defenders of humanity against vampires—but now, the lines of good and evil are blurred.A glorious, moving fantasy tale about a protagonist who isn’t a “chosen one”—but just might save her world with the help of chosen family.A return to the deeply imagined world of The Mossheart’s Promise and an ongoing exploration of what it means to be a hero, a leader, and part of a family and community.An apocalyptic action tale about saving the world … and finding oneself, with three queer, Black protagonists.Alex Wise doesn’t feel like a superhero—but the apocalypse shows no sign of slowing down and everyone seems to be looking to him for answers. A spooky series starter with some unexpected depths, with an ensemble cast investigating supernatural happenings in their hometown.This second volume of the series brings us back to one of America’s Most Haunted Cities, and to the three friends who have been given magic relics to combat forces of evil. A nonbinary protagonist at a secretive boarding school where a monster stalks the halls.This second volume of the series picks up with nonbinary, puzzle-loving protagonist Nev looking into a mystery at their gloomy, gothic, boarding school.An adventure story drawing on Jewish folklore and mythology, with a gay protagonist, The ongoing adventures of a gay, Jewish protagonist battling (and allying with) creatures from Jewish folklore and mythology.A fun mystery starring a flamboyant and geeky nonbinary protagonist.Flamboyant nonbinary protagonist Zed Watson is back with their friend Gabe for another humorous early middle grade mystery-adventure.A totally original tale of mystery and mayhem centered on an eccentric family living in a sprawling, ancient manor houseProtagonist Shenanigan Swift is off to Paris, chasing a stolen painting and connecting with the Martinets, the estranged French branch of the Swift family tree.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.Nell is excited about her seventh-grade field trip—until her entire team gets shrunken to Thumbkin size after a wish gone astray.A lightly fictionalized graphic-novel version of the pop duo’s lives, though set in the present day.This volume picks up right from the last one, just as the pop duo are starting to be recognized for their music. An 11-year-old girl navigates friendships, growing up, and having obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in this semi-autobiographical graphic novel.Katie is excited about turning 12—but there’s also a blaring “adulthood alarm” going off, and she isn’t sure how to respond.The first book in the series about two moms and their five kids is told from the perspective of 11-year-old Sam, the most recent addition to the family.This second book in the series about two moms and their five kids is told from the perspective of middle child Marina.This third book in the series about two moms and their five kids centers on 12-year-old Harbor, finding where she fits into the family (and developing a same-sex crush of her own).A hilarious and surprisingly touching story about two dads and their four kids.In this volume, the two dads and four kids discover that the lighthouse at their favorite vacation spot is being targeted by a real estate developer who wants to turn it into condominiums.This amusing novel with a touch of social justice follows a two-mom family who are the Fletchers’ neighbors.This volume centers around one of the Fletchers’ classmates, whose photography project was vandalized with threats and gay slurs, and asks readers to reflect on the assumptions we make about others.A powerful yet wryly funny book about a group of middle-school students seeking to stop a book ban in their community.Author/illustrator Jarad Greene’s semiautobiographical graphic novel about growing up, shifting friendships, and an asexual/aromantic identity.This graphic novel sequel to A-Okay, with an asexual protagonist, continues author/illustrator Jarad Greene’s semiautobiographical story.The first in a series about the friendships, crushes, and competitions of a 7th grader at an elite equestrian boarding school.More rivalry and intrigue set at an elite equestrian boarding school.Shifting friendships and a crush form challenges for a girl at an elite equestrian boarding school.Opportunities and difficulties clash for a girl at an elite equestrian boarding school.
