Seeking books set at magic schools—but want them queer? Try these two new middle grade series! One stars a trans boy on a harsh ice world where magic means survival; the other brings us a Between World, spooky creatures, and normalized queer relationships. Read on for reviews and additional titles.
Today is National Girls & Women in Sports Day, so let’s celebrate with these two new middle grade titles starring young queer athletes—including what may be the first middle grade book to include a scene at a Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) game!
The American Library Association has just announced its 2025 Rainbow Book List of over 175 librarian-approved titles “celebrating LGBTQIA+ youth and families.” Let’s look more closely at these books for children and teens, why they matter, and some exclusive charts showing trends over the years.
Numerous LGBTQ-inclusive kids’ books were honored at today’s annual American Library Association Youth Media Awards, winning not only in LGBTQ categories, but also in several others—proving once again that those who wish to ban or restrict them are keeping kids from some of the best children’s literature around.
Newbery honoree Kyle Lukoff’s new middle grade novel is the tale of a Jewish, transgender boy trying to save the world from anti-trans demons. That alone should be enough to commend it. But it’s also much more: a powerful story of self-growth, the many ways of transformation, and the complexity of human relationships.
Picture book illustrations can be amazing—but sometimes children find an important kind of resonance in books with photographs, like these two new picture books featuring photos of real children from a variety of families, including ones with same-sex parents.
Let’s roll into the holidays with 10 intriguing quotes from some of the year’s best LGBTQ middle grade books—they’re out of context to prevent spoilers, but I hope they stir your interest in these fun, insightful, and inspiring titles.
Looking for LGBTQ-inclusive kids’ books about the winter holidays? Check out these picture books, plus a few middle grade titles that would also make great family read-alouds for younger children!
Moving tales of self-growth and finding family, epic adventures of magic and mystery, sweet stories of friendships and crushes, and combinations of the above: the LGBTQ-inclusive middle grade novels of 2024 are a wide-ranging lot. Here are some favorites.
The LGBTQ-inclusive picture books published in 2024 have been exuberant, affirming, and informative. Here are some that stand out.
