All of the children’s books in my Database of LGBTQ Family Books have been effectively banned by sweeping censorship laws in some states. Many titles have also been banned by name. I’m therefore marking Banned Books Week with a look at the scope and impact of book bans—and what we can do to stop them.
Today’s two new LGBTQ-inclusive middle-grade novels are each very different, but both have themes of challenging injustice: In one, a group of students creatively fight a book ban at their school; in the other, a nonbinary and a disabled protagonist duo have a sword-swinging fantasy adventure to save their realm.
Schools have formed a common setting for LGBTQ-inclusive picture books for more than 40 years! Here are some titles both new and old, perfect for back-to-school time and throughout the school year!
A picture book and an early reader bring us delightful new stories with nonbinary protagonists. One is a deliberate celebration of queer identities, while in the other, the character’s nonbinary identity is completely incidental to the tale. Readers should value both approaches!
The next volume in one of my favorite middle grade series is out today, about a large, chaotic family that happens to have many queer people in it! But large, queer-inclusive families actually star in a number of great books, including several series, so I’m rounding them up for you!
Today is Gay Uncles Day—and gay (and other queer) uncles have been the subject of picture books since 1989! Here are some of them (and a few for grown-ups) to help you celebrate these special people today and any day!
Even though many of us are still enjoying summer, back-to-school time will soon be upon us—so here are four recent and relevant LGBTQ-inclusive picture books for and about schools, allies, and communities—great for reading and discussion at school or home.
As the Olympics roll on, let’s celebrate with some recent board, picture, chapter, and middle grade books featuring LGBTQ athletes and sports themes! Check out these exciting biographies and imaginative fiction titles.
For Nonbinary Awareness Week, I’m showcasing these board books, picture books, chapter books, and middle grade titles published in 2024 that feature nonbinary kid characters. Stories of friendship, family, self-discovery, adventure, and silliness—they’re great all year ’round!
Laughter is often the best form of representation, resilience, and resistance, as these picture books prove. They’re great for read-alouds or any time you and the children in your life want a little fun!
