LGBTQ+ Books

Picture Books
Jump to: Upper Elementary
Clicking on the book titles will take you to the catalog record for each item.

Red: A Crayon's Story by Michael Hall
Red's factory-applied label clearly says that he is red, but despite the best efforts of his teacher, fellow crayons and art supplies, and family members, he cannot seem to do anything right until a new friend offers a fresh perspective.

This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman
A picture book illustrating a Pride parade. The endmatter serves as a primer on LGBT history and culture and explains the references made in the story.

When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff
Aidan, a transgender boy, experiences complicated emotions as he and his parents prepare for the arrival of a new baby.

Julián is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
While riding the subway home from the pool with his abuela one day, Julián notices three women spectacularly dressed up. When Julián gets home, daydreaming of the magic he's seen, all he can think about is dressing up just like the ladies in his own fabulous mermaid costume. But what will Abuela think about the mess he makes--and even more importantly, what will she think about how Julián sees himself?

And Tango makes Three by Justin Richardson
At New York City's Central Park Zoo, two male penguins fall in love and start a family by taking turns sitting on an abandoned egg until it hatches.

I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel
Presents the story of a transgender child who traces her early awareness that she is a girl in spite of male anatomy and the acceptance she finds through a wise doctor who explains her natural transgender status.

Pride Colors by Robin Stevenson
In this photographic concept book, babies and toddlers are introduced to the PRIDE flag and the meaning behind each color.

Upper Elementary
Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World by Ashley Herring Blake
Twelve-year-old Ivy Aberdeen's house is destroyed in a tornado, and in the aftermath of the storm, she begins to develop feelings for another girl at school.

To Night Owl from Dogfish by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Unhappy about being sent to the same summer camp after their fathers start dating, Bett and Avery, two girls, age eleven, eventually begin scheming to get the couple back together after a break-up. Told entirely through letters, emails and text messages.

Zenobia July by Lisa Bunker
Zenobia July, an excellent coder and hacker, investigates a mystery while wrestling with the challenges of a new school, a new family, and presenting her true gender for the first time.

Martin McLean, Middle School Queen by Alyssa Zaczek
Seventh-grader Martin McLean has trouble expressing himself except at Mathletes competitions and, now, as a female impersonator but his first-ever drag show falls on the same night as an important Mathletes tournament.

The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher by Dana Alison Levy
Relates the adventures of a family with two fathers, four adopted boys, and a variety of pets as they make their way through a school year, Kindergarten through sixth grade, and deal with a grumpy new neighbor.

Drama by Raina Telgemeier
Callie rides an emotional roller coaster while serving on the stage crew for a middle school production of Moon over Mississippi as various relationships start and end, and others never quite get going. (graphic novel)

George by Alex Gino
When people look at George, they think they see a boy. But she knows she's not a boy. When her teacher announces that their class play will be Charlotte's Web, George REALLY wants to play Charlotte, but the teacher says she can't even try out for the part because she's a boy. George comes up with a plan not only to play Charlotte, and so everyone will know who she is once and for all.