Today is National Library Workers Day, part of National Library Week, so here are some LGBTQ-inclusive picture and middle-grade books that show how librarians and libraries can have a positive impact on young people’s lives.
A few of these books star librarians, but most simply show them as important sources of information and support in the lives of the protagonists and other characters. Click images for full reviews—then go read my post from yesterday about the latest book censorship numbers and how you can take action to support banned and challenged books and the libraries and librarians connecting them with young readers.
Picture Books
A timely and kid-friendly story about book censorshipLibrarian Mr. Stephen is very good at his job—but sometimes calls on his drag alter ego, the sublime Ms. Stacks, to help entertain and educate.A librarian (who happens to be nonbinary) helps a boy who “is a slow and careful reader” find the right book for his interests and reading style.A cute board book about the town librarian, Kevin, who happens to have a husband.
Middle Grade Books
Four tweens collaborate to make comics—in a graphic novel that is also a primer on comic making itself.13-year-old Alex navigates her grandmother’s dementia, funding cuts at the library where Grandma worked, family secrets, and her new girlfriend’s move out of town, in a thoughtful story of family change and family found.A powerful yet wryly funny book about a group of middle-school students seeking to stop a book ban in their community.A tale that blends supernatural powers and monsters with some well-crafted lessons on belonging, forgiveness, and choosing to do what is right.Witch Seven and friends discover long-hidden secrets about their town and conspiracies to keep them quiet.A beautiful novel in verse about coming out and beginning to grow up.A warm-hearted story about LGBTQ kids supporting each other and making change in their community.A gentle and magical graphic novel of personal and societal change
