All children should feel represented in the books in your classroom library. It’s important to share diverse titles so every student feels seen! In addition, exposing students to new points of view helps them to build empathy. Provide your students with a window into the many different experiences within the LGBTQ+ community when you share the following titles!

1. Stella Brings The Family
by Miriam B. Schiffer

Interest level: P-2
Stella’s class is having a Mother’s Day celebration, but what’s a girl with two daddies to do? It’s not that she doesn’t have someone who helps her with her homework or tucks her in at night. Students will gain compassion reading this sweet story about love, acceptance and the true meaning of family.

2. The Hips On The Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish
by Lil Miss Hot Mess

Interest level: P-3
Share a fresh take on “The Wheels on the Bus” when you provide students with this celebration of being your most fabulous self. This nursery rhyme book from the founder of “Drag Queen Story Hour” illustrates all of the ways to “work it.” While this book is geared toward early readers, adults may find themselves singing the tune long after read aloud time.

3. Our Subway Baby
by Peter Mercurio

Interest level: K-3
This gentle and poignant picture book tells the true story of how one baby found his home. Addressing his son directly, Pete’s moving text tells how his partner, Danny, found a baby tucked away in the corner of a subway station on his way home from work. Pete and Danny ended up adopting the baby together. Although neither of them had prepared for the prospect of parenthood, they are reminded, “Where there is love, anything is possible.”

4. My Rainbow
by Trinity and DeShanna Neal

Interest level: K-3
On a quiet day, playtime leads to an important realization: Trinity wants long hair like her dolls to express who she truly is. Trinity’s family decides to take a trip to the beauty supply store, but none of the wigs are a perfect fit. Trinity’s mom puts love into action when she creates the perfect rainbow-colored wig for her transgender daughter. Introduce students to this true story about sharing ourselves with the people who have been there for us all along.

5. Who Was Harvey Milk?
by Corinne Grinapol

Interest level: 3-7
Teach students about one of the most influential leaders in the fight for gay rights. Although he started out as a teacher without aspirations to be an activist or politician, Harvey Milk found himself captivated by the movements of the 1960s. He would eventually make history by becoming the first openly gay elected politician in California. Inspire students to be leaders for equality when you share this biography.

6. King And The Dragonflies
by Kacen Callender

Interest level: 3-7
Twelve-year-old Kingston James is sure his recently-deceased brother Khalid has turned into a dragonfly. It would be easier if King could talk with his best friend, Sandy Sanders about it. But just days before he died, Khalid told King to end their friendship after overhearing that Sandy might be gay. Share this story about grief and being true to yourself with students.

7. The Best At It
by Maulik Pancholy

Interest level: 3-7
Rahul Kapoor is about to start middle school in small-town Indiana, and he is beyond anxious. His grandfather Bhai gives him well-meaning advice, to “find one thing you’re really good at and become the best at it.” But what if Rahul can’t be the best at anything? Readers will be charmed by this touching story about family, friendship and living your truth.

Check out this title and more on our Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage book list.

8. Pride: The Celebration And The Struggle
by Robin Stevenson

Interest level: 4-7
For LGBTQ+ people and their supporters, Pride events are an opportunity to honor the past, protest injustice and celebrate a diverse and vibrant community. The high point of Pride, the Pride Parade, is spectacular and colorful. But there is a whole lot more to Pride than rainbow flags and amazing outfits. Teach students the history behind this civil rights celebration.

9. Redwood And Ponytail
by K.A. Holt

Interest level: 5-9
Redwood and Ponytail is narrated in verse by two voices telling the story of two very different girls who are drawn to each other. Kate is a stereotypical cheerleader with a sleek ponytail and a perfectly polished persona, while Tam is tall, athletic and frequently mistaken for a boy. Share this relatable story of changing relationships with students.

10. Zenobia July
by Lisa Bunker

Interest level: 5-10
Zenobia July is starting a new life. People used to tell her she was a boy; now she’s able to live openly as the girl she always knew she was. When someone anonymously posts hateful memes on her school’s website, expert hacker Zenobia knows she’s the one to solve the mystery, all while wrestling with the challenges of a new school, a new family and presenting as her true gender for the first time. Share this timely and touching story about finding home with readers.

11. The Stonewall Riots: Coming Out In The Streets
by Gayle E. Pitman

Interest level: 5-12
Teach students about the Stonewall Riots, a series of spontaneous demonstrations by members of the LGBTQ+ community in reaction to a 1969 police raid at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village. Readers will learn about American gay history leading up to the Riots, the Riots themselves and the aftermath. This book includes newspaper clippings, first-person interviews, historic photos and more.

12. Growing Up Trans: In Our Own Words
edited by Dr. Lindsay Herriot and Kate Fry

Interest level: 5-12
Growing Up Trans shares stories, essays, art and poetry created by trans youth ages 11 to 18. In their own words, the writers describe their trans experiences relating to childhood, family, school, their bodies and their mental health. Sharing this book with students provides a toolkit for all young people to learn how to accept and support the transgender community.

13. You Should See Me In A Crown
by Leah Johnson

Interest level: 7-12
Liz has a plan that will get her out of Campbell, Indiana forever: attend the uber-elite Pennington College, play in their world-famous orchestra and become a doctor. But when the financial aid she was counting on unexpectedly falls through, Liz’s plans come crashing down. Though it’s the last thing she wants to do, Liz remembers her school’s scholarship for prom king and queen. The only thing that makes the process bearable is the new girl in school, Mack, who is also in the running for queen. Will falling for the competition keep Liz from her dreams or make them come true?

14. The Magic Fish
by Trung Le Nguyen

Interest level: 7-12
The Magic Fish is a tender and beautiful portrait of a young teenage boy learning to connect with his family through stories. Give students this fairytale graphic novel about the nature of love, identity and finding the words to speak your truth.

15. Heartstopper Volume 1 (series)
by Alice Oseman

Interest level: 7-12
Boy meets boy. Boys become friends. Boys fall in love. Heartstopper is a sweet and charming coming-of-age story that explores friendship, love and coming out. Share this tale about the ups and downs of high school and first love with teen readers.

16. They Both Die At The End
by Adam Silvera

Interest level: 9-12
On September 5, a little after midnight, Death-Cast calls Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio to give them some bad news: They’re going to die today. Looking to make a final connection, Rufus and Mateo are about to meet up for one last great adventure – to live a lifetime in a single day.

17. Cemetery Boys
by Aiden Thomas

Interest level: 9-12
When Yadriel’s traditional Latinx family is unwilling to accept his gender, he takes it upon himself to prove that he is a true brujo by secretly performing the sacred rite ritual with his cousin, Maritza. However, what he doesn’t count on is summoning the ghost of his classmate who doesn’t even know he’s dead – or how he died. Part paranormal fantasy, part mystery, part slow-burn romance, Cemetery Boys is a must-read for lovers of all genres.

18. Clap When You Land
by Elizabeth Acevedo

Interest level: 9-12
Camino Rios lives for the summers when her father visits her in the Dominican Republic. But this time, on the day when his plane is supposed to land, Camino arrives at the airport to see crowds of crying people. Separated by distance – and Papi’s secrets – Camino and her sister are forced to face a new reality in which their father is dead and their lives are forever altered. Introduce students to a moving novel-in-verse about loss, forgiveness and bittersweet bonds.

19. The Mermaid, The Witch, And The Sea
by Maggie Tokuda-Hall

Interest level: 9-12
In a world divided by colonialism and threaded with magic, a desperate orphan turned pirate and a rebellious imperial lady find a connection on the high seas. Fans of pirate action stories and dramatic plot twists will love this fast-paced LGBTQ+ tale.

20. Last Night At The Telegraph Club
by Malinda Lo

Interest level: 9-12
Acclaimed author Malinda Lo shares a gripping story of love and duty. America in 1954 is not a safe place for two girls to fall in love, especially not in Chinatown. With deportation looming over 17-year-old Lily’s father despite his hard-won citizenship, Lily and Kath risk everything to let their love see the light of day.

What other books with LGBTQ+ themes do your students love? Tell us in the comments below!

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