20 Books with LGBTQ+ Themes to Add to Your Classroom Library

LGBTQ+ History Month is meaningful to us because it was founded by a teacher. Missouri history teacher Rodney Wilson was the first openly gay public school teacher in the state. He chose October to represent LGBTQ+ history because the first and second LGBTQ+ marches on Washington happened during the month. 

Since its founding by Wilson, LGBTQ+ History Month has spread to school districts, with LGBTQ+ history now being required in New Jersey curriculums. This requirement is a big deal because it helps LGBTQ+ students and teachers feel seen and welcome to live as who they really are.

“When building a classroom library, representation matters,” said Rutgers Alternate Route Literacy Instructor Stacy Young. “As Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop taught us, students need to experience texts that are mirrors and windows. Mirrors allow students to see themselves in a text, and windows allow students to see the experiences of others.”
One way to support and honor LGBTQ+ history is to create a classroom library with diverse stories and characters. Young recommends the NYU Culturally Responsive Curriculum Scorecard as a resource to assess your classroom library. 

“Not only will it take you through assessing the diversity of the characters represented throughout your library, but also the authors, and whether or not the history, experiences, and cultures in the texts are represented in non-stereotypical ways,” Young said. “It's so important to do the homework to ensure you’re building your library responsibly.”

If you want to add to your library, here are some recommendations. Many of the titles were recommended to us by Monica Scott, who is a public children's librarian in Morris County and a former school media specialist. Like Young, Scott believes that centering accurate portrayals of diverse groups of people and experiences is crucial in helping us to foster affirming and inclusive spaces for all.  A carefully curated book collection is an important way of demonstrating commitment to this important responsibility of ensuring representation of the complete spectrum of the human experience. Consider these selections.

Books for ages 5-9

Donovan’s Big Day by Leslea Newman

Donovan has a very big responsibility: he is the ring bearer for his moms’ wedding. The story follows Donovan as he prepares for the exciting day, illustrating his excitement and the wedding through beautiful illustrations. 

George by Alex Gino
Recommended by Scott, the story George is about a girl named Melissa, who is called “George” by everyone around her. When Melissa learns her class is putting on Charlotte’s Web as a play, she wants to audition for Charlotte but is told no because she is a boy. This puts into action what Melissa needs to tell everyone who she really is.

Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love

Scott recognizes Julian is a Mermaid as her favorite for elementary-age libraries. 

“It expands across generations, shows self exploration and expression, imagination, acceptance, and with very little dialogue, it allows the readers to interpret the story through their experiences and growth,” Scott said. “Julian is too young to fit in any box, but he is growing up free to be the best person he can be, and that acceptance and support will help make that possible. That is a life lesson for any age and on any side of the coin.  Not to mention the illustrations are beautiful.”

I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings

I Am Jazz is another title Scott recommends incorporating into your classroom. “These books are actually part of several different banned book lists,” Scott said about her choices. I Am Jazz is the story about Jazz, who has a boy’s body but knows she is a girl. The book is based on author Jazz Jennings’ real-life experience as a transgender child and how her family and doctor helped her become her true self.  

I Am Perfectly Designed by Karamo Brown 

Anyone familiar with Netflix’s Queer Eye will recognize this author’s name. In addition to being Queer Eye’s resident culture expert, he is also a children’s book author. I Am Perfectly Designed is a collaboration between Brown and his son, Jason, and was inspired by the two’s relationship as Jason was growing up. 

One of a Kind Like Me/Único Como Yo by Laurin Mayeno

The school parade is a day away and Danny wants to dress up as a princess. With his mom, Danny heads to the thrift shop to find a costume before the store closes. The story highlights the power and creativity of individuality and that it is OK to break from gender stereotypes. Additionally, this book is special because it is told in both English and Spanish. 

This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman 

What if you had one day to celebrate who you are? This Day in June answers that question by putting the reader right in the middle of a Pride celebration. Through joyful storytelling and bright illustrations, children learn what it means to celebrate Pride and how to support the LGBTQ+ community. The book also comes with age-appropriate materials for teachers, parents and caretakers to help communicate sexual orientation and gender identity. 

Books for ages 10-13

Ashes to Asheville by Sarah Dooley

Fella’s life is upended after Mama Lacy’s death. She is sent to live with her grandmother, which tears her away from her sister and other mother. Through Fella’s eyes, the reader learns what life was like for so many families before the U.S. Supreme Court voted to recognize same-sex marriage in 2015. 

Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky

Young lists this title as another one of her favorites. It’s a story about Grayson, who is stuck in the wrong body. Grayson is worried about sharing her secret, until a special friend and supportive teacher give her the bravery to be who she really is.

Hurricane Child by Kacen Callender

Hurricane Child is one of two Kacen Callender books on this list, this one following the struggles Caroline is facing as a Water Islander. Born during a hurricane, Caroline’s life has not been easy - she was abandoned by her mother and is bullied at school. When a student transfers to her school, Caroline finds the companion she needs and begins the biggest personal journey to date.

Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World by Ashley Herring Blake 

Another one of Young’s top picks, Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World is about Ivy Aberdeen picking up the pieces of her life after a tornado destroys her house. Those pieces include an extremely personal journal with drawings of same-sex couples. Ivy learns someone did find her journal - and is using it to help her open up.

King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callender

This multiple award-winning (including the 2020 National Book Award for Young People's Literature) book is about loss, grief and discovering your true identity. When Kingston James’ brother Khalid dies unexpectedly, it sends the 12-year-old protagonist on a journey that forces him to face many difficult realities. 

My Mixed-Up Berry Blue Summer by Jennifer Gennari

June Farrell is determined to win a blue ribbon at her local pie competition. However, June also has to navigate the backlash her family started to receive after Vermont passes its civil-union law. The story follows June’s determination to win the blue ribbon and stand up for her family. 
 

Books for ages 14+

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz 

Aristotle and Dante have nothing in common - other than they are both loners. But after meeting at a pool, they begin to find small connections, deepening their friendship into one that’s meaningful and special. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe was chosen in 2021 as a Time Best YA Book of All Time and is one of Young’s top picks. 

Beautiful Music for Ugly Children by Kirstin Cronn-Mills

Gabe was born with the name “Elizabeth” and wants everyone to know who he really is. The problem is that his parents - and the rest of the world - thinks he is crazy. Gabe begins to look at himself like a record: with an A side and a B side. Elizabeth is who everyone knows, or the A side. But Gabe wants to play his B side and show everyone he has been a boy the entire time. 

The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta 

Another one of Young’s top choices, The Black Flamingo is about discovering your true identity and the power that drag holds. The story centers around Michael, a gay, mixed-race teen who is torn between multiple identities. As he explores his identity further, he is introduced to the Drag Society and finally feels like he has a place in the world. 

Like Water by Rebecca Podos

Savannah Espinoza wants to escape her small New Mexico town, but her plans change when her father is diagnosed with Huntington’s disease. Savannah stays to help her mother care for her father and she becomes what she never wanted for herself: stuck. Then, Savannah meets Leigh and everything about her life changes. 
 

Not Your Sidekick by C.B. Lee

In this world, superpowers are common. But for Jessica Tran, who was not born with powers, obtaining an internship will give her an impressive resume entry as she applies to colleges. She finds an amazing, paid opportunity and takes it without realizing it is for the town’s biggest supervillain. However, Jessica gets to work with her secret crush, Abby, which makes the internship a little better. 

You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson

Liz Lighty lives in a small Midwestern town that is obsessed with prom. Liz never felt like she fit in - always feeling too Black and too poor for the town’s wealthy, white citizens. But when a scholarship falls through, Liz has to turn to the thing she hates: prom. The prom king and queen receive a scholarship, which puts Liz one step closer to her dream school. 

What If It’s Us by Becky Albertalli

Arthur is spending the summer in New York City when he meets Ben at the Post Office. Both have a different view of the universe: Arthur believes in its magic, while Ben thinks the universe has turned its back on him. What if it’s Us chronicles the universe’s magic and what happens when things do work out.

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