A new middle grade book gives us a queer romance set in the U.S. South in 1977, long before gay-straight alliance clubs, marriage equality, or any kind of LGBTQ-inclusive books for children and youth. It will likely still resonate with young people today, however (and maybe some of their parents).
I know we’ve made progress towards increasing the number of LGBTQ-inclusive middle grade books when three come out within weeks of each other that are not just new books, but sequels or sophomore efforts. The authors are also all queer themselves!
Today marks the start of Banned Books Week, the annual event from the American Library Association (ALA) celebrating the freedom to read. Half of the books in the ALA’s latest Top Ten Most Challenged Books list contain LGBTQ content—to me, that’s a shopping list.
September always makes me think of trees–between fruit harvests and color changing, it’s their time to shine. This year, I’m also thinking of a middle-grade book, narrated by a tree, that’s one of the most charming stories of inclusion and acceptance I’ve read lately.
When I first received a new book about a girl who likes to pretend she is both a princess and a pirate, I was very excited. A book with a broad view of how girls imagine and play? Might this be a book that would have spoken to me, growing up as a tomboyish girl?
As delicate damsels in ruffled dresses, princesses can be an unrealistic and harmful stereotype, particularly for little girls. Yet for every Cinderella, there is also a Xena. A new picture book asks, “What Does a Princess Really Look Like?” as it tells the tale of a girl creating her own definition of princess—with a little help from her two dads.
Today, Maiden Voyage sets sail—a swashbuckling tale of adventure and romance featuring a fisherman’s daughter and a courageous female sea captain.
Three new children’s books, published in the past few months, take a celebratory and varied look at how people may express gender and question its usual boundaries.
Pride season is here, and so are two new picture books that tell the story of the rainbow flag and the individuals who inspired and created it.
It’s Pride Month, and what better way to celebrate than with some books for kids about LGBTQ Pride, culture, and history? Check them out and read with pride!
