New President-Elect of American Library Association Is Also a Lesbian Mom
The American Library Association (ALA) has elected a 20-year library veteran and self-described Marxist—who is also a lesbian mom—as its president-elect.
Books for Kids
Kyle Lukoff’s “Different Kinds of Fruit” Is a Juicy and Delicious Middle-Grade Novel
Newbery honoree, National Book Award finalist, and two-time Stonewall Award winner Kyle Lukoff has written another queer-inclusive middle-grade novel, and that alone should be enough to convince many to run out immediately and get it. If you want more details about this moving, funny story of family, community, and identity, however, read on.
Two New Books on Puberty Are Inclusive and Affirming of All Genders
Not one, but two LGBTQ-inclusive guides for young people about puberty, gender, bodies, and sex are coming out this month. One is the long-awaited third volume in an acclaimed series, the other is backed by the imprimatur of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and both are excellent.
Adventurous Retellings, Pronouns, Consent, and More in New LGBTQ-Inclusive Kids’ Books
New LGBTQ-inclusive kids’ books out today include three middle-grade books full of adventure, an introduction to pronouns, a gender-neutral story of two friends, and stories dealing gently but firmly with tough topics of consent and abuse.
“Gender Queer” Tops Most Challenged Book List in Record Year for Book Challenges
In a record year for book challenges, a memoir about growing up nonbinary and asexual has topped the American Library Association’s (ALA’s) annual Top 10 Most Challenged Books list, and books with LGBTQIA+ and Black characters remained dominant among all censorship attempts.
Librarians, Authors Condemn Software That Would Let Parents Learn What Books Their Kids Check Out
Librarians, authors, and others are speaking out against a leading provider of school library software after it announced yesterday that it is considering an optional add-on that would help schools and librarians comply with new and pending legislation that requires parents be allowed to know of and control access to the books their children check out—which could out and endanger LGBTQ students.
The Trans-Inclusive Middle-Grade Series You May Have Missed
Today is the Transgender Day of Visibility, so I want to give greater visibility to a terrific middle grade series with a trans protagonist that you may have missed because his trans identity isn’t the point. He’s just a young man who has adventures through the multiverse via magical suitcases, and happens to be trans. It’s delightful!
A Girl Misses a Traveling Mommy in “Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle”
When one parent leaves on a trip, even for a short time, it can seem like forever to a young child. In this sweet and lovely picture book, a young girl shares her feelings when Mommy is away on a business trip and she and Mama wait for her return.
3 New Queer-Inclusive Children’s Books: Pronouns, First Crushes, and Intersectional Identities
New this week and coming soon: A colorful board book about pronouns, a bilingual (English/Spanish) book about a first same-sex crush, and a lovely middle-grade novel about a queer, Jewish, autistic girl. Read on to learn more!
Queer, Magical, Middle-Grade Books That Deserve Blockbuster Movies
When the creator of a major magical franchise continues to promote anti-trans rhetoric, while another magical entertainment provider offers lukewarm opposition to an anti-LGBTQ bill and allegedly nixes much LGBTQ content in its films, I think we need some fantastical, visually stunning, action-packed, queer-inclusive movies to help counter this. Here are some great middle grade books, all by queer authors, that could serve as starting points.