LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and all of the other sexualities, sexes, and genders that aren't included in these few letters) Pride Month is celebrated annually in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots, which took place in New York City. The Stonewall riots marked the beginning of a movement to abolish discriminatory laws and practices against LGBTQIA+ persons in the United States, which continues to our present day. Pride celebrates the achievements of LGBTQIA+ Americans, and it highlights the work that continues in order to achieve equal justice and equal opportunity for those in the LGBTQIA+ community. Two book lists I recommend for kids and teens to celebrate Pride are No Time for Flashcards' 59 Children's Books That Celebrate Pride – LGBTQ Book List for Kids and Denise Schipani’s 16 Great LGBTQIA+ Books for Kids and Teens article for Brightly. Below are children’s and YA books available on OverDrive/Libby, Hoopla, and the Westchester Libraries for you to read and celebrate Pride.

Children's Books:

Be Amazing: A History of Pride by Desmond Is Amazing & Dylan Glynn
(Grades K-4)
Library Catalog
“An effortlessly informative introduction to drag culture for young readers, Desmond Is Amazing’s first book, wrapped in a riot of incredible watercolor and ink illustrations, is a winner for everyone, regardless of how they identify. Beginning with his own story of how his parents encouraged him to ‘let me be me,' Desmond segues into LGBTQ history, starting with the Stonewall Riots in 1969 in New York City. In an accessible style that does not talk down to its audience, the text introduces readers to drag hero Marsha P. Johnson, transgender activist Sylvia Rivera, and the first Pride parade in 1970. Moving back to his own story, Desmond brings the story of drag and LGBTQ culture full circle into the present day. Glynn’s beautifully colorful artwork highlights the diversity of the movement, while also making the historical figures tangible to children for whom the 1970s seem long ago…” –Booklist Reviews

The Ship We Built by Lexie Bean
(Grades 4-6)
Library Catalog / Hoopla / OverDrive
“A 10-year-old transgender boy sends letters via balloon, hoping someone out there will read them. It's 1997, and Rowan is starting fifth grade. He knows he's a boy, but no one else understands. He called a girl “cute” during truth or dare, and now he's a social pariah. His dad comes into his room at night, but he's not ready to talk about that yet. He's sorry for being weird. Bean vividly and sensitively captures the struggle of being a child who just can't fit in and doesn't understand why. It is an authentic portrayal of childhood pain without an ounce of condescension. Over the course of the school year, Rowan, who is presumed to be white, and his new best friend Sofie, who appears to be black, struggle to make sense of what is right and wrong, good and bad in their working-class Michigan world. While the book tackles big issues, primarily addressing being trans and queer and surviving incest as well as touching on parental incarceration, anyone who has ever been a sad or confused child will be able to see a little bit of themselves in Rowan and Sofie. And if the author leans a bit heavily on the unnecessary crutch of '90s references, at least it increases the book's appeal for both young retro-enthusiasts and nostalgic adults—and this is one of those rare middle-grade books with real adult appeal. Everyone should read this remarkable, affecting novel.” –Kirkus Reviews

Uncle Bobby’s Wedding by Sarah S. Brannen & Lucia Soto
(Grades K-2)
Library Catalog
“Uncle Bobby is getting married—but his niece Chloe doesn't know if that is a good idea. When Uncle Bobby announces at the first picnic of the summer that he and ‘his friend, Jamie,' are getting married, everyone is happy except Chloe. When she expresses her concern to her mother, Mom says she should talk to Uncle Bobby, who reassures Chloe that they will still have plenty of fun together—and then sets out to prove it. Bobby and Jamie take Chloe to the ballet and joke afterward at a soda shop. They go sailing, and Jamie is the first to jump in when Chloe tumbles out of the boat. Roasting marshmallows over a campfire, Chloe happily says, ‘I wish both of you were my uncles' —and of course they tell her she will get that wish. Flower girl Chloe helps out at the wedding, and they all dance the night away. Brannen reworks the text of her out-of-print and oft-challenged 2008 title to good effect. The tale of a child's uncertainty and jealousy at her uncle's wedding someone who just happens to be another man and the family's carefree celebration of that union remains essentially the same. Soto's bright, friendly cartoons, however, depict a diverse human cast—Uncle Bobby presents white and Jamie presents black—representing a quantum leap forward over the original's anthropomorphic guinea pigs. Chloe has light beige skin; her mother presents white, and her father's skin is a shade darker than Chloe's. A joyous, heartwarming, sweet—and essential—update.” –Kirkus Reviews

Drawing on Walls: A Story of Keith Haring by Matthew Burgess & Josh Cochran
(Grades K-6)
Library Catalog / OverDrive
“This big, beautiful biography of Keith Haring includes illustrations that encapsulate the iconic American artist's work and life. Each page contains a few sentences, but all pages feature full-color artwork that mimics Haring's well-known murals. Cochran's visuals effectively capture the sense of movement and fluidity of Haring's work. The story begins with Haring's childhood and covers the origins of his interest in drawing. Burgess describes the struggle of being an artist in New York City in the 1980s and the city's art scene. The book concludes with a biographical note, an author's note, an illustrator's note, and sources for the quotations that were used. VERDICT This bright literary work is packed with well-researched and well-written biographical notes on Haring's short life and the impact he made on the art world and public art.” –School Library Journal

Sylvia and Marsha Start a Revolution by Joy Michael Ellison & Teshika Silver
(Grades 1-2)
Library Catalog / OverDrive
“Here, the LGBTQ+-rights movement of 1969 is brought to life among the neighborhoods of New York in which the queer community took refuge. Ellison’s lighthearted text and Silver’s bright illustrations focus on Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson, two transgender women of color, and their goal to bring respect and equality to the queer, especially transgender, community. While this book targets a young audience, it makes the compelling concepts clear, if somewhat simplified—from the homophobia and transphobia that Sylvia and Marsha experience to the upsetting reality of trans homeless youths living on the streets. The book focuses on gender identity through its heroines, affirming their part in a sisterhood that struggles for a safe and equal existence. Ellison and Silver use fictionalized but realistic dialogue to propel an energetic plot that touches on the events at the Stonewall Inn and the subsequent result of Sylvia and Marsha opening their house and hearts to their transgender sisters. Included also are helpful resources defining LGBTQ+ terms; highlighting short biographies of Sylvia, Marsha, and other key players; and introducing discussion questions and activities.” –Booklist Reviews

Beetle & the Hollowbones by Aliza Layne
(Grades 4-8)
Library Catalog / OverDrive
“Beetle, a 12-year-old goblin, lives with her grandmother, the helpful town witch. When she's not bored to tears being homeschooled on goblin magic, she's hanging out with her best friend, the teeny and adorable Blob Ghost, a floating, speechless, but incredibly expressive red orb who haunts the local mall. Though magical forces prevent Blob Ghost from leaving the mall, Beetle is certain that the two will always be pals-until Beetle's former best friend, Kat Hollowbone, arrives. Beetle and Kat don't get along quite the same as before-there might be feelings involved now-but Kat isn't here alone. Kat's a sorcerer's apprentice for her menacing aunt, Marla Hollowbone, who just happens to have bought out the mall. And unless Beetle and Kat do something, the mall will be demolished, with Blob Ghost still trapped inside. Cartoonist Layne makes a stellar debut. Simultaneously gorgeous and goofy, the artwork is reminiscent of the animated series Bee and Puppycat and a delicious love letter to shoujo manga. Layne's supernatural cast is fantastic, from green-skinned Beetle and her grandmother to Kat and Marla, respectively, skeletal cat and bird creatures. Characters' LGBTQ identities, such as Beetle and Kat's changing relationship, as well as the use of the they pronoun for Blob Ghost, are gently woven throughout the narrative. Relying on intersecting plotlines in lieu of a more straightforward romp, Layne conveys themes of independence, identity, and realization of one's potential. VERDICT Action-packed yet heartfelt, short and sweet yet riveting, this one is not to be missed.” –School Library Journal

Julián at the Wedding by Jessica Love
(Preschool – 3rd Grade)
Library Catalog / Hoopla / OverDrive
“Mermaid-loving Julián is back! Julián and Abuela arrive at an outdoor wedding on a green lawn (discerning eyes will spy the Statue of Liberty in the distance). Both meet friends at the wedding: Abuela, a familiar friend, and Julián, a new one, Marisol. Julián and Marisol are part of the wedding, which the text proclaims is “a party for love.” Julián holds the leash of Gloria, the brides’ dog, and Marisol—whose baseball cap has been swapped out for a flower crown—tosses petals. Later, after Marisol gifts Julián the flower crown, Marisol, Julián, and Gloria run off to the “fairy house,” or weeping willow. Marisol and Gloria have such fun that muddy paws aren’t a thought…until Marisol’s peach-pink dress is covered in paw prints. But never fear, innovative Julián is here! With the help of the fairy house, all’s well that ends well: Marisol’s hat is returned, the brides welcome the pair back, and everyone celebrates love. Love’s media, applied, as in the previous book, on brown paper, create colors that appear simultaneously soft and vibrant. Most of the main characters present Black or have brown skin. As established in the previous book, Julián and Abuela are Afro-Latinx, and Abuela’s friend and Marisol are also cued Latinx. A celebration of weddings and a subtle yet poignant reminder that gender, like love, is expansive. Lovely.” –Kirkus Reviews

Too Bright to See by Kyle Lukoff
(Grades 4-6)
Library Catalog / OverDrive
“Bug has always believed his family's old Vermont farmhouse is haunted — partly because of shadows and creaks, and partly because he often ‘catch[es] a glimpse of something in the mirror that isn't me.' Since Uncle Roderick's death, that haunting has seemed more directed specifically at Bug: ‘Some presence is trying to send me a message.' Lukoff (When Aidan Became a Brother, rev. 7/19) lets readers decide for themselves whether the haunting is real or whether it stems from Bug's believably portrayed grief and process of growing up (Bug is about to enter middle school). Either way, Bug figures out a great deal via some exploring about Uncle Roderick, who was openly gay and had worked as a drag queen, and finally realizes his own transgender identity. (Bug, eventually known as Tommy, uses she/her pronouns at first and transitions to he/him pronouns.) Bug's first-person, present-tense narration gives readers a close look at his sense that things don't quite fit, both in interactions with peers and on his own, and his gradual understanding of why that is: ‘I've never recognized myself before, but now I do.'” –Horn Book

In the Role of Brie Hutchens by Nicole Melleby
(Grades 4-6)
Library Catalog / Hoopla / OverDrive
“From the author of Hurricane Season (2019) comes a story about the lengths to which people go to avoid the discomfort of change. Aspiring actor Brie, 13, loves soap operas, with their dramatic plot twists and complex webs of relationships. Brie does not love school: Her mediocre grades, ‘organization issues,' and ambivalence about religion dismay most of the teachers at her co-ed Catholic middle school. But after her mom accidentally learns that Brie likes girls, not boys, Brie attempts to become an A student and a more devout Catholic to ‘keep [her] mom's focus away' from this developing discovery. The problem is that being a ‘good girl' is not so easy as Brie's perfect, pious classmate Kennedy makes it seem, and in trying to be like Kennedy, Brie realizes they might have more in common than she thought….Unlike the soap operas Brie devours, this is no rehashing of stale tropes. Brie's journey is not one of escape from a stifling Catholic girlhood but is a more nuanced exploration of how to reconcile faith and identity. Melleby's clear, honest voice expertly captures the frustration, awkwardness, and fear of being vulnerable—as well as the potential rewards. Brie, Kennedy, Brie's best friend, and their families appear white; Wallace, ‘one of three black kids in their grade,' is a well-developed secondary character. This funny, tender, and heart-wrenching story will have readers calling for an encore.” –Kirkus Reviews

The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish by Lil Miss Hot Mess & Olga De Dios
(Preschool – 2nd Grade)
Library Catalog / OverDrive
“This book's gonna werk, werk, werk all through Pride Month and beyond. Drag persona Lil Miss Hot Mess rewrites “The Wheels on the Bus' to create a fun, movement-filled, family-friendly celebration of drag. The text opens with the titular verse to establish the familiar song's formulaic pattern: ‘The hips on the drag queen go SWISH, SWISH, SWISH… / ALL THROUGH THE TOWN!’ Along the way, more and more drag queens join in the celebration. The unnamed queens proudly display a range of skin tones, sizes, and body modifications to create a diverse cast of realistic characters that could easily be spotted at a Pride event or on RuPaul's Drag Race. The palette of both costumes and backgrounds is appropriately psychedelic, and there are plenty of jewels going ‘BLING, BLING, BLING.’ Don't tell the queens, but the flow is the book's real star, because it encourages natural kinetic participation that will have groups of young readers giggling and miming along with the story. Libraries and bookshops hosting drag-queen storytimes will find this a popular choice, and those celebrating LGBTQ heritage will also find this a useful book for the pre-K crowd. Curious children unfamiliar with a drag queen may require a brief explanation, but the spectacle stands up just fine on its own platforms. Fun, fun, fun all through the town!” –Kirkus Reviews

Boy Meets Hamster by Birdie Milano
(Grades 5-8)
Library Catalog / OverDrive
“Self-discovery can happen anywhere, even in a hamster-themed holiday park. Dylan, a gay British 14-year-old, is on a weeklong caravan vacation (think RV park) in Cornwall with his parents; his 4-year-old brother, Jude; and his no-nonsense best friend, Kayla. Dylan's dreams of a more sophisticated destination—say, Paris?—far away from the park and its ever present hamster mascot, Nibbles, evaporate when he sees his hunky caravan neighbor, Jayden-Lee. Sure, Jayden-Lee is a raucous jerk, making fun of Jude's cerebral palsy, Kayla's facial birthmark, and practically everything else, but Dylan knows he can change him! That's what love does, right? Random encounters with flirty 15-year-old Leo, a park employee, distract Dylan from his boyfriend mission, as do awkward moments with Nibbles, the hamster mascot who repeatedly saves him from hilariously awful moments. Themes of body-positivity, friendship, and authenticity are interwoven into an engaging plotline. The British words and spellings add an international flavor that sophisticated reader s will enjoy, and the overall humor is broad enough to attract a wide audience. The Leo/Nibbles connection will be obvious to most readers, generating additional chuckles at Dylan's single-minded oblivion. Kayla is cued as biracial (Filipina and White), Leo is Black, and Dylan and his family are assumed White. Not to be missed!” –Kirkus Reviews

My Rainbow by Trinity and DeShanna Neal & Art Twink
(Preschool – 2nd grade)
Library Catalog / OverDrive
“A loving mother helps her daughter express herself and feel like a rainbow. Trinity, an autistic, Black, transgender girl wishes she had long hair. But growing it out is a struggle because she hates hair touching her neck. Seeing her daughter's sadness, Trinity's mom, a Black cisgender woman with natural hair cropped close, listens to Trinity's concerns. At first, she tries to reassure Trinity that girls can wear their hair short, but Trinity still doesn't feel happy. Honoring the truth that Trinity knows herself best, Trinity's mom puts her love and devotion into creating a curly, teal, pink, and purple wig for Trinity, with some help from Trinity's older sibling. Richly colored and invitingly detailed full-spread illustrations that complement the story's title and theme accompany the text. The narrative centers a Black family whose members are depicted in the illustrations with skin that is a range of rich browns. In the midst of Trinity's struggle with her gender expression, her mom models listening and affirmation. She acknowledges that her own experiences with societal expectations of gender expression as a cisgender woman are different from Trinity's. Even as the story shifts to show Trinity's cisgender mother's perspective, Trinity's feelings remain the focus and her happiness the motivation. Apart from the use of person-first language (kids with autism) instead of identity-first language, Neal and Neal emphasize that all aspects of Trinity's identity deserve celebration and make her a masterpiece.” –Kirkus Reviews

Rainbow Revolutionaries: 50 LGBTQ+ People Who Made History by Sarah Prager & Sarah Papworth
(Grades 2-6)
Library Catalog / OverDrive
“This middle grade resource profiles 50 LGBTQ+ people. Each double-page spread contains a full-page illustration of the person rendered in a folk art style. The single page of text offers background information detailing the person's life, such as why they are included in the book as well as their personal accomplishments. The text is easy to understand, making it accessible to a wide range of readers. A variety of individuals are represented and span cultures, time periods, and occupations. Historical and modern figures are included. There are sports heroes (Billie Jean King), mathematicians (Benjamin Banneker), dancers, artists, political figures (Alexander the Great and Georgina Beyer), soldiers, and inventors. Readers will enjoy the ease of dropping in and reading a little bit here and there, but some middle schoolers may be put off by the impression that it is a picture book.” – School Library Journal

A Portrait in Poems: The Storied Life of Gertrude Stein & Alice B. Toklas by Evie Robillard & Rachel Katstaller
(Grades 2-4)
Library Catalog / Hoopla / OverDrive
“The story begins in the middle: the middle of the Jardin du Luxembourg, at ‘an eight-sided pond/ where you can rent a tiny sailboat/ and set it adrift over and over again.’ And in the middle of Stein’s adulthood, in the early 1900s at her home around the corner from the garden. Through eight short chapters, each marked with a Stein quote, Robillard elliptically traces the contours of Stein’s adulthood: the portrait of her that Picasso painted, her ‘word portraits’ and long life beside Alice B. Toklas (‘a tiny, dark-haired woman… Alice would ask you lots of questions/ in her quick, quiet voice’), and their eventual deaths. Robillard eventually asserts Stein’s genius—’Gertrude Stein was much, much more/ than a collector of paintings/ or a nibbler of tea cakes’—but Stein’s brilliance, as ever, is difficult to convey, though this introduction to the figure and her partner charms. Katstaller deploys gouache, colored pencil, and graphite in blues and greens, mustards and roses, to sketch art salons and garden idylls; supplemental materials add extra biographical detail and context.” –Publishers Weekly

Queer Heroes: Meet 53 LGBTQ Heroes From Past & Present by Arabelle Sicardi & Sarah Tanat-Jones
(Grades 4-6)
Library Catalog
“Sicardi honors the legacy of 52 queer artists, activists, athletes, and other figures. Eschewing conventional chronology, Sicardi presents individuals from the distant past alongside queer heroes of today. In one spread, Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury performs onstage; on the opposite page sits the ancient Greek poet Sappho, quill in hand. The text speaks openly about its subjects’ sexuality and gender identities and offers general biographical details: ‘Da Vinci was born in a farmhouse on the hills of Tuscany.' Tanat-Jones brings a pop-art aesthetic to the portraits, with accents that express the subjects’ distinctive attributes. Tennis player Martina Navratilova is pictured playing on a magenta court, while performer Sia appears in her trademark disguise, an oversize bow in her hair. Other figures include Emma Gonzalez, James Baldwin, Tove Jansson, and David Bowie. While readers won’t learn a significant amount about each figure and an index would have been useful, Sicardi and Tanat-Jones deliver a striking graphic homage to a variety of queer legends and influencers.” –Publishers Weekly

Pride: The Celebration and the Struggle by Robin Stevenson
(Grades 6-8)
Library Catalog / OverDrive
“Stevenson's joyful celebration of self, community, existence, and activism examines Pride parades, how they came to be, and what they celebrate. This updated edition contains an added focus on necessary and continuing activism as well as the role of young people in the movement. The text chronicles a brief history of LGBTQ+ advocacy, major issues, differing political goals, and inequality within the movement. Chapters explore the rise of Queer Nation (an activist group founded in NYC), marriage equality, PFLAG, community and subgroups, coming out, and definitions of various acronyms and identities. As the title promises, the main focus is Pride parades, the politics of Pride, intersectional activism and considerations, symbols commonly seen at Pride, and alternative Pride marches and demonstrations. While primarily focused on North America, there is a chapter on Pride as a symbol of freedom and hope around the world as well as the social climates, ongoing struggles, and laws of many countries. The eye-catching layout features large, vibrant pictures from celebrations, parades, and marches all over the world. Pull-out quotes, smaller pictures on the sides, and text boxes with ‘Queer Facts’ adorn the pages and help break up longer sections. VERDICT An indispensable and celebratory primer on the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ rights. An excellent resource that is as thorough as it is visually appealing.” –School Library Journal

Young Adult:

Jay’s Gay Agenda by Jason June
(Grades 9 and up)
OverDrive (Available June 1)
“Out gay teen Jay lives in a tiny rural town where he doesn't know any other out LGBTQIA+ kids. As he watches his friends date and celebrate relationship milestones, he can't help but feel like he is missing out on life. When his mother announces that she has earned a promotion and the family will be relocating to the progressive, urban Seattle area, Jay is thrilled to start crossing items off his “gay agenda”—chief among which are his goals of finding a boyfriend and losing his virginity. All seems to be going to plan when he meets sweetly nerdy Albert, experienced Tony, and vibrant, genderqueer Max who signs on to be his “Gay Guide” through relationships.” –School Library Journal

The Key to You and Me by Jaye Robin Brown
(Grades 9 and up)
Library Catalog / OverDrive
“Aspiring equestrian Piper is excited to spend the summer with her grandmother, training with a former Olympian and distancing herself from the ex-girlfriend who broke her heart. Kat is spending the summer before her senior year trying to make money to fix her car and help her sister achieve her dancing dreams while questioning whether she might be a lesbian. When Kat is hired to teach Piper to drive, she immediately feels a connection to Piper and sees an opportunity to test her interest in girls. Piper sees it as an opportunity to make her ex-girlfriend jealous and possibly win her back.” –School Library Journal

Miss Meteor by Tehlor Kay Mejia and Anna-Marie McLemore
(Grades 8 and up)
Library Catalog / OverDrive
“Can a small town embrace the wholeness of four teens: a self-proclaimed tomboy, a transgender athlete, a brilliant artist, and a girl born from stardust? In Meteor, New Mexico, the annual Meteor Regional Pageant and Talent Competition Showcase is a major attraction for Miss Meteor contestants and the local businesses that depend on tourism to survive. The Quintanilla family runs a diner with their four daughters. Chicky, the youngest, could not care less about the pageant while her ex–best friend, Lita, has always dreamed of such an honor—even though thin, blond, White girls always seem to win. The estranged friends team up and, with help from their friends Junior and Cole and the Quintanilla sisters, hatch a plan to upset the town's social hierarchy by helping Lita compete in the pageant.” –Kirkus Reviews

How It All Blew Up by Arvin Ahmadi
(Grades 9 and up)
Library Catalog / OverDrive
“‘First let me get one thing straight: I'm not a terrorist. I'm gay.’ So begins this fast-paced coming out/coming-of-age/coming home story. Amir Azadi keeps a mental scorecard weighing the odds of rejection if his parents learn he's gay. He's decided to wait until college to start real life. Then the blackmail starts, and suddenly Amir has skipped graduation and hopped a plane to Rome. This isn't the full plot—it's barely the premise, and the whole story is told via monologue: The answers given by Amir and his family during questioning by Customs and Border Protection.” –School Library Journal

When You Get the Chance by Tom Ryan and Robin Stevenson
(Grades 8 and up)
Library Catalog / OverDrive
“Mark is a somewhat irresponsible, fun-loving gay teen who's hoping summer distance will snuff out his latest romantic tryst. His cousin Talia is queer and struggling to save her fading long-term relationship with nonbinary partner Erin. After their grandfather dies and their grandmother is hospitalized, Mark and Talia find themselves at the family's summer cottage in Ontario cleaning out old memories. But both have bigger plans: with Mark's younger sister Paige in tow, the unlikely duo embark on a road trip to Toronto Pride to salvage their summer and maybe even their parents' fraught bond.” –School Library Journal

Meet Cute Diary by Emery Lee
(Grades 9 and up)
Library Catalog / OverDrive
“Lee's #OwnVoices debut is a butterflies-inducing rom-com. Mere weeks after coming out to his parents, trans teen Noah Ramirez finds himself spending summer with his college-student brother in Denver. Surrounded by beautiful trees, mountains, and boys, Noah writes embellished trans love stories based on real-life encounters for his viral blog ‘Meet Cute Diary.’ A failed job interview reacquaints Noah with Drew (aka ‘Ice Cream Shop Guy’), who calls Noah out for featuring him on the blog twice. When Noah explains the truth about the blog, Drew agrees to pretend to date him—including taking photos—to help keep internet trolls at bay.” –School Library Journal

Middletown by Sarah Moon
(Grades 6 and up)
Library Catalog / Hoopla / OverDrive
“Eli, who is white and doesn't mind being mistaken for a boy, has a life of positives and negatives. Positives include her older sister, Anna, and best friends Javi, who is Puerto Rican and gay, and Meena, who is Indian American and ‘the prettiest girl in eighth grade.’ Negative is Eli's crush on Meena, because Eli thinks Meena likes boys. The biggest negative, however, is Eli's mother's alcoholism, which often results in police visits and unpaid bills. When a judge orders their mother into rehab, Anna comes to court as ‘Aunt Lisa,’ the girls' temporary guardian. Their situation worsens, though, with unpaid rent and Anna disappearing for days with her boyfriend. When social services comes calling, the girls flee—but where can they go?” –School Library Journal

The (Un)popular Vote by Jasper Sanchez
(Grades 9 and up)
OverDrive (Available June 1)
“In a California high school where the Gay/Straight Alliance consists of straight white students, a group of queer and non-cisgender friends find refuge in French Club. It doesn't matter that most of them don't take French. Being LGBTQIA+ in a heteronormative environment is not easy and they need each other. Mark is the transitioning son of a politician who would prefer to pretend that he does not exist, so Mark tries to stay out of the public eye. But when a peer is attacked for being gay and the school administration does nothing, Mark decides to run for class president, representing change.” –School Library Journal

The Art of Saving the World by Corinne Duyvis
(Grades 9 and up)
Library Catalog / Hoopla / OverDrive
“A fantasy adventure blended with a coming-of-age story. Hazel Stanczak, who is white, has never left her small Pennsylvania town due to the interdimensional rift that appeared near her home the day she was born. She struggles with finding herself and questions her sexuality. On her 16th birthday, everything changes when Hazel is called to save the world from an apparent apocalypse. Hazel is joined by other versions of herself with varying character traits from different dimensions, and is forced to overcome her fears by exploring her world and the various versions of her personality, all while closing this rift.” –School Library Journal

The Witch King by H. E. Edgmon
(Grades 9 and up)
OverDrive (Available May 31)
“Just as trans witch Wyatt begins to feel comfortable in his new life with his adopted human family and best friend Briar, he is ripped away from the human world and forced to face his traumatic past as the chosen mate of the future king of the fae. In Edgmon's complex fantasy society embedded in our contemporary world, the fae are the conservative ruling elite, hiding from humans and oppressing an underclass of witches. As the only witch in his fae family, Wyatt grew up between two worlds, made safe only by the favor of Emyr, the future ruler who chose him as his future mate. Now, having transitioned and escaped in the wake of a disaster that turned the fae world against him, Wyatt finds himself back in a deeply divided society, where Emyr's progressive policies face violent conservative backlash that spells danger for all those who deviate from ‘the ways of Faery.’” –School Library Journal

As Far As You’ll Take Me by Phil Stamper
(Grades 9 and up)
Library Catalog / OverDrive
“Seventeen-year-old Marty Pierce is a rule follower who googles everything in advance to avoid surprises. He’s also ‘pretty good at lying’—first to keep his sexuality a secret from his religious, homophobic parents, and now to craft an elaborate escape plan from his ‘suffocating’ life in Kentucky. His folks think he’s headed to a summer music program in London, but he’s actually planning to use the three months to secure a professional oboe gig. A chronic worrier, Marty has a lot to cope with in London, even without constant fear that his lies will be found out: he’s busking to make ends meet, stressing about his body image, and navigating relationships, including a diverse new friend group, his domineering best friend back home, and a possible first boyfriend.” –Publisher’s Weekly