Let’s cover several age groups in today’s book highlights, with a recent picture book, a chapter book, and two middle grade titles that explore allyship, community, ecology—and what would happen if a queer-inclusive boarding school was training its students to fight the evil magic users.
Click titles or images for full reviews, and visit the Database of LGBTQ Family Books for even more.
Picture Book
Like That Eleanor: The Amazing Power of Being an Ally, by Lee Wind, illustrated by Kelly Mangan (Cardinal Rule). A girl is inspired by her dads’ tales of Eleanor Roosevelt to become an ally to a nonbinary classmate in this story with broad lessons about allyship of many types. A recommended title that should open up lots of further discussion.
Chapter Book
Ella Josephine: Resident in Charge, by Nina LaCour, illustrated by Sònia Albert (Chronicle). Ella Josephine is back in the second volume of this delightful chapter book series. Here, in three connected stories, the charmingly self-assured nine-year-old once again shows herself a helpful and caring neighbor to the residents of the old San Francisco apartment building where she lives with her two moms. Ella has spunk, but it’s tempered with kindness to make her an engaging role model. LaCour’s prose is perfectly paced and absolutely enjoyable, while Albert’s illustrations add to the fun.Â
Middle Grade
Lu and Ren’s Guide to Geozoology, by Angela Hsieh (Quill Tree). A beautiful and gentle fantasy-adventure graphic novel that explores both human relationships and ecological systems. The big themes never weigh down the story, however; the fun adventure, fantastical creatures, lively dialogue, and engaging characters (including an example of queer elders) make it a joy to read.
The Incorruptibles, by Lauren Magaziner (Aladdin). An exciting and well-imagined post-apocalyptic boarding school fantasy that’s sort of an anti-Harry Potter. It’s as if HP was told through the eyes of the Muggles, if the Muggles were engaged in a resistance movement against Voldemort’s vision of wizard supremacy, and if the series had a queer protagonist and several other significant queer characters. Magaziner has woven these threads onto a framework of original worldbuilding, with lots of exciting action, plus themes of found family, resisting oppression, seeing shades of gray, and the power of inclusion. A fresh, exciting, and highly recommended read.
