Howdy y’all.

It’s June! That fabulous month where we get to celebrate all that is Pride – it’s not the ONLY time we should be celebrating pride, but it’s important to highlight this month and read stories and tell stories of people who are LGBTQIA+. I’m here today with 4 MG books that I think ALL school libraries should have that celebrate being LGBTQIA+ in all it’s brilliance!

As you can see from the title, thiis is #1… I have one a week coming your way! Picture books, graphic novels, YA books, MG books… all the books, all the celebration of pride! I am always on the lookout for books with a celebration of diversity in them, so if you have one (particularly a niche one, I’d LOVE to hear it!)

***

Jamie – LD Lapinski

Jamie Rambeau is a happy 11-year-old non-binary kid who likes nothing better than hanging out with their two best friends Daisy and Ash. But when the trio find out that in Year Seven they will be separated into one school for boys and another for girls, their friendship suddenly seems at risk. And when Jamie realises no one has thought about where they are going to go, they decide to take matters into their own hands, and sort it all out once and for all. As the friends’ efforts to raise awareness eventually become a rooftop protest against the binary rules for the local schools, Jamie realises that if they don’t figure out a way forwards, they might be at risk of losing both their friends forever.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that I am a massive fan of LD’s work and I will shout about their brilliance from the absolute rooftop! Jamie is a story that matters so so much. It’s a story that I need teachers and parents to embrace. This is an incredible story of LGBT pride, standing up for what’s right, surrounding yourself with people who stick up for you and learning about being non-binary. Jamie is incredible and I wanna give them a hug. Trying to change the world and make it inclusive for everyone takes one small step at a time. I loved learning about pride. We need more kids books including LGBT characters at the front and centre. This just filled my heart with absolute queer pride.

Vivi Conway and the Sword of Legend – Lizzie Huxley-Jones

The lake has been calling to twelve-year-old Vivi Conway. On the day she and her Mams will move from Wales to London, she sneaks out to investigate what is calling her there. Instead of a quiet swim, she finds Excalibur, a ferocious monster, a new friend and a ghostly dog. Gelert (the dog) insists that Vivi is part of a magical group of children who share the souls of witches from legend and must protect the world from being taken over by an evil king. With a little extra help from spiky Stevie and sweet-hearted Chia, Vivi must come to terms with her magical destiny and be brave enough to embrace true friendship.

Man alive, this is AMAZING. If you like mythology, own voices rep of autism, some banging kids who fight terrifying spider things and just brilliant storytelling, then look no further. Add to that gay mams, NB rep (in a kids book!!), an amazing dog companion and multiple scenes that made me cry, and you’ve got something that is just top bloody billing. Lizzie has written something excellent here and I need book 2 NOW!

Me, My Dad and the End of the Rainbow – Benjamin Dean

Things aren’t going great for Archie Albright. His dad’s acting weird, his mum too, and all he wants is for everything to go back to normal, to three months before when his parents were happy and still lived together. When Archie sees a colourful, crumpled flyer fall out of Dad’s pocket, he thinks he may have found the answer. Only problem? The answer might just lie at the end of the rainbow, an adventure away. Together with his best friends, Bell and Seb, Archie sets off on a heartwarming and unforgettable journey to try and fix his family, even if he has to break a few rules to do it…

I was a little late to this party, having read Benjamin’s second kids’ book first… but gosh, this book man. What a story. This book is bloody wonderful. This is so full of colour and joy and understanding. I loved Archie’s adventure and all the messages about loving people for who they are, how big things aren’t really that big and the ending made me so happy! I really loved that Archie’s friends stuck with him even though his plan was a bit foolish, ha. We need more books like this!

Glitter Boy – Ian Eagleton

Eleven-year-old James loves dancing, poetry and Mariah Carey. His teacher, Mr Hamilton, is getting married to his boyfriend, and it looks like James will be part of a surprise choir performance at the wedding. But James’ father seems very uncomfortable about the plan, and a lot of other things – like any mention of Mr Hamilton, and James’ dancing, and the way James talks about his new friend Joel. Meanwhile, a different boy has been harassing James at school, calling him gay, and it’s getting worse every day. James can find relief with his wonderful Nan, but she’s been having worrying falls, and James can’t tell anyone, or she might be sent to a care home. The secrets start building up, and James is starting to lose his characteristic spark. Will he find the strength to let the truths come out?

I knew this would make me cry as soon as I heard what it was about. Honestly, there’s some things in here that hit VERY close to home for me – I’m a teacher, I’m a member of the LGBT community, I’ve been bullied for being queer. I love that we’ve got a book here (not just any book though… a kids book!) about LGBT+ history, acceptance (and non) in the today, about being yourself and loving people for exactly who they are. This brought me such joy, many chuckles and many tears. This is one of those “I want to give you a hug” books and I’m so glad I’ve had the pleasure of reading it.

***

Thank you so much for stopping by. These recommendations are very close to my heart and I hope you find time this Pride month to read a book, or two, or several which represent my community. I have loads more recommendations where they come from… and will happily always take more!

Speak to you all soon!

Remember: love who you love, be who you authentically are and be kind.

S x