Celebrate Pride Month with recommended reading for ages 10-14 available from the Fairfax County Public Library’s Digital Collection.
You are reading: Lgbt books for tweens
by rebecca takacs, fcpl youth services librarian
As tweens in fifth through eighth grades approach adulthood, many are looking for good reads with new and relevant stories. for kids reaching that age today, queer characters are increasingly appearing in award-winning books. one reason for the popularity of these lgbtq+ books is that they include a wide range of people, giving tweens and teens the chance to see themselves on the pages of a book, or to experience lives different from their own .
Reading experts say it’s critical that teens, tweens and children of all ages be exposed to “mirror” books — books that reflect something familiar to them. reading about characters who look, sound, or act the way they do nurtures a sense of self-worth. To understand the world around them, children must also read “window” books—books that show them people, places, or perspectives they might not otherwise encounter or learn about. Beyond providing a “mirror” or “window,” a good book should also offer an entertaining story.
this list includes 12 titles that are fun, new, critically acclaimed and centered around lgbtq+ characters. All of these fiction books are recommended for ages 10-14, were published in 2019-2020, and are available as eBooks in the Fairfax County Public Library Digital Collections.
1. the best of it by maulik pancholy
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Rahul, a gay American Indian boy, wants to be the best at something. In this charming story, he navigates his way through high school and the quest to find out who he is.
2. hazel’s theory of evolution by jisa jenn bigelow
Hazel is a book lover who has to look outside of books for the answers to life’s big questions.
3. a home for goddesses and dogs by leslie connor
In the midst of the turmoil, Lydia is paired with a stinky, misbehaving puppy with a mysterious past. who is the rescued?
4. martin mclean queen of high school by alyssa zaczek
martin is a math whiz with a fabulous drag queen alter ego. Life is complicated. Will he be brave enough to unite the two worlds of hers?
5. the mighty heart of sunny st. james by ashley blake herring
sunny gets a new heart and makes a “new life plan.” then, as with most good plans, life gets in the way.
6. the misadventures of the fletcher family by dana alison levy
the fletcher brothers have a crazy year and discover that sometimes what you least expect turns out to be the most important.
7. the moon insideaida salazar
Celi’s life is changing along with her body as she finds the courage to be who she wants to be.
8. redwood and horsetailby k.a. forest
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kate and tam are a cheerleader and an athlete who look beyond stereotypes to find themselves.
9. rickby alex gino
rick is a new high school student who finds himself questioning old decisions and searching for his self-esteem and acceptance.
10. the summer of a thousand cakes by margaret dilloway
Cady’s had a rocky life, but now she’s in a place where she wants to belong. When trouble arises, she has to meet up with her new friends to try and save the day.
11. to the barn owl by holly goldberg sloan and meg wolitzer
Will Bett and Avery figure out how to become family? This hilarious laugh-out-loud story is written by two excellent authors and told entirely through emails and letters.
12. the whispersof greg howard
riley’s life is sad. his mother is missing and he has a secret that others whisper. This book weaves the magic, mystery, and power of wishes into a story about finding your “heart’s desires.”
more lqbtqia+ readings for all ages
use these record sets from the fcpl catalog and overdrive collection to find more titles with lgbtqia+ characters, themes, and creators:
- rainbow books for young readers
- rainbow reads for teens
- rainbow reads for all ages in high gear (filter by kids, teens, or adults)
mirrors and windows
To learn more about what reading experts say about “mirrors” and “windows,” visit diversitybooks.org, read violet j. magazine article “In Praise of an Academic Force: Rudine Sims Bishop” by Harris, and take a look at this diversity in children’s book infographics.
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