Reading with Pride
At Seven Stories, we champion children and young people’s access to books that celebrate what makes us unique and proud to be ourselves.
Reading with Pride is a collection of 60 of our favourite LGBTQIA+ titles which explore love, compassion, identity, curiosity, and the beauty of our differences.
These are books that present LGBTQIA+ and non-traditional families compassionately, some of which explore young people's experiences and identities, as well as queer history.
We have also included lots of incredible adventure stories, mysteries and stories about friendship which also happen to have great LGBTQIA+ representation.
We have compiled a list of resources for children, young people, adults and teachers which can be found at the bottom of this page.
Picture Books (under 5s)
Mommy, Mama and Me by Leslea Newman & Carol Thompson (Tricycle Press) £5.99
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One of the only original board books about gay parents! A perfect purchase for Mother's Day, new parents, baby showers, and more!
Rhythmic text and illustrations with universal appeal show a toddler spending the day with its mommies. From hide-and-seek to dress-up, then bath time and a kiss goodnight, there's no limit to what a loving family can do together.
Shares the loving bond between same-sex parents and their children.
Daddy, Papa and Me by Leslea Newman & Carol Thompson (Tricycle Press) £5.99
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One of the only original board books about gay parents! A perfect purchase for new parents, baby showers, and more!
Rhythmic text and illustrations with universal appeal show a toddler spending the day with its daddies. From hide-and-seek to dress-up, then bath time and a kiss goodnight, there's no limit to what a loving family can do together.
Share the loving bond between same-sex parents and their children.
Heather has Two Mummies by Leslea Newman & Laura Cornell (Walker Books) £7.99
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New in the UK, a rediscovered modern classic for today's generation in an updated, beautifully illustrated edition.
Heather's favourite number is two - she has two arms, two legs, two pets and two lovely mummies.
But when Heather goes to school for the first time, someone asks her about her daddy ... and Heather doesn't have a daddy! But then the class all draw portraits of their families, and not one single drawing is the same.
Heather and her classmates realize - it doesn't matter who makes up a family, the most important thing is that all the people in it love one another very much.
And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson, Peter Parnell & Henry Cole (Simon & Schuster) £7.99
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One of the six political books for kids you should definitely read according to Zoe Williams in the Guardian, November 2018!
Roy and Silo are just like the other penguin couples at the zoo - they bow to each other, walk together and swim together.
But Roy and Silo are a little bit different - they're both boys. Then, one day, when Mr Gramzay the zookeeper finds them trying to hatch a stone, he realises that it may be time for Roy and Silo to become parents for real.
Introducing Teddy by Jessica Walton & Dougal MacPherson (Bloomsbury) £6.99
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Errol and his teddy, Thomas, are best friends who do everything together. Whether it's riding a bike, playing in the tree house, having a tea party or all of the above, every day holds something fun to do together.
One sunny day, Errol finds that Thomas the Teddy is sad, and Errol can't figure out why.
Then Thomas the Teddy finally tells Errol what Teddy has been afraid to say: 'In my heart, I've always known that I'm a girl teddy, not a boy teddy.
I wish my name was Tilly.' And Errol says, 'I don't care if you're a girl teddy or a boy teddy! What matters is that you are my friend.'
A sweet and gentle story about being true to yourself and being a good friend, Introducing Teddy can also help children understand gender identity.
The Girl With Two Dads by Mel Elliott (Egmont) £6.99
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Matilda is a new girl at Pearl's school, but there's something really different and cool about her family - she has TWO dads!
Pearl is sure that Matilda's family must be very different to her own but, as they become friends, she starts to discover that maybe Matilda's family aren't so different after all . . . A funny and heart-warming tale featuring a same-sex parent family.
This light-hearted story will open up discussion and encourage children to be open minded and inclusive.
This charming tale of friendship is all about celebrating what makes us different and similar to one another and is perfect for sharing with children aged 3 years and up.
Red: a Crayon's Story by Michael Hall (HarperCollins) £12.99
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Red has a bright red label, but he is, in fact, blue.
His teacher tries to help him be red (let's draw strawberries!), his mother tries to help him be red by sending him out on a playdate with a yellow classmate (go draw a nice orange!), and the scissors try to help him be red by snipping his label so that he has room to breathe.
But Red is miserable. He just can't be red, no matter how hard he tries! Finally, a brand-new friend offers a brand-new perspective, and Red discovers what readers have known all along.
He's blue! This funny, heartwarming, colorful picture book about finding the courage to be true to your inner self can be read on multiple levels, and it offers something for everyone.
I'm a Girl by Yasmeen Ismail (Bloomsbury) £6.99
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I'm supposed to be made of sugar and spice and all things nice. But I'm sweet and sour and not a little flower. I am a girl! I am a girl! I am a girl!
The girl in this book likes to win, she likes to be spontaneous, fast and strong, and because she also likes to dress in t-shirt and shorts, she is forever getting mistaken for a boy. And when she meets a boy who likes wearing princess dresses and playing dolls, they both quickly discover that they share interests that are wide and varied. I am a Girl! is a wonderful celebration of being who we are and not being pigeon-holed or restricted by gender stereotypes.
Most of all it is full of energy and laugh-out-loud funny.
Who says that pink is for girls and blue is for boys?
Baby's First Words by Stefanie Paige Wieder & Christiane Engel (Barefoot Books) £5.99
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Spend the day with a busy baby and her two dads, and learn the words for things you do and see along the way!
This innovative first-words book features labels for objects, actions and sound effects, as well as a fun seek-and-find element.
A Fox Called Herbert by Margaret Sutton (Andersen Press) £12.99
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Meet Herbert: the rabbit who knows he was born to be a fox.
When his mummy isn't looking, he puts on pointy fox ears, makes himself a bushy tail, and asks his sister to paint him orange, just like a fox.
But Mummy doesn't understand: why can't he just be a good rabbit?
A Fox Called Herbert is a true celebration of being ourselves and supporting our loved ones.
Let this joyful tale inspire you to be who you are and follow your dreams.
Younger Readers (5+)
Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love (Walker Books) £6.99
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A glimpse of three women dressed as mermaids leaves one boy filled with wonder and ready to dazzle the world. While riding the subway home with his Nana one day, Julian notices three women spectacularly dressed up.
Their hair billows in brilliant hues, their dresses end in fishtails, and their joy fills the train carriage.
When Julian gets home, daydreaming of the magic he's seen, all he can think about is dressing up just like the ladies and making his own fabulous mermaid costume.
But what will Nana think about the mess he makes - and even more importantly - what will she think about how Julian sees himself?
I am Jazz by Jessica Herthel, Jazz Jennings & Shelagh McNicholas (Penguin Putnam) £12.99
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From the time she was two years old, Jazz knew that she had a girl's brain in a boy's body.
She loved pink and dressing up as a mermaid and didn't feel like herself in boy's clothing.
This confused her family, until they took her to a doctor who said that Jazz was transgender and that she was born that way.
Jazz's story is based on her real-life experience and she tells it in a simple, clear way that will be appreciated by picture book readers, their parents, and teachers.
We Are Family by Patricia Hegarty & Ryan Wheatcroft (Little Tiger Press) £7.99
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All families are different - and yet in many ways the same!This book uses a gentle rhyming text to follow eight different families, celebrating their everyday differences as well as the similarities they share.
Made by Raffi by Craig Pomranz & Margaret Chamberlain (Frances Lincoln) £7.99
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Raffi is a shy boy who doesn' t like noisy games and is often teased at school.
But when he gets the idea of making a scarf for his dad' s birthday he is full of enthusiasm, even though the other children think it is girly to knit.
Then the day draws near for the school pageant, and there is one big problem - no costume for the prince. And that' s when Raffi has his most brilliant idea of all - to make a prince' s cape.
On the day of the pageant, Raffi' s cape is the star of the show.
The Girls by Lauren Ace & Jenny Lovlie (Little Tiger Press) £6.99
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Four little girls meet under an apple tree and form a bond that grows as they share secrets, dreams, worries and schemes.
This beautifully illustrated tale charts the girls' lives through ups and downs and laughter and tears.
Find out how their friendship flourishes as the years pass by and the girls become women.
Dracula Spectacular by Lucy Rowland & Ben Mantle (Pan Macmillan) £6.99
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It's tough being a vampire when you're more giggles and glitter than beastly and bitter.
But will Dracula Boy dare to follow his heart and live life in technicolour?
Full of spooks and sparkles, Dracula Spectacular is a heart-warming story about learning to be brave, kind and above all, proud to be yourself. A sensational picture book, written in bouncy rhyme by Lucy Rowland and illustrated with wit and warmth by Ben Mantle, the creative duo behind Little Red Reading Hood.
Perfect for bedtime reading!
Stella Brings the Family by Miriam B. Schiffer & Holly Clifton-Brown (Chronicle Books) £12.99
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Stella's class is having a Mother's Day celebration, but what's a girl with two daddies to do?
It's not that she doesn't have someone who helps her with her homework, or tucks her in at night. Stella has her Papa and Daddy who take care of her and a whole gaggle of other loved ones who make her feel special and supported every day.
She just doesn't have a mum to invite to the party. Fortunately, Stella finds a unique solution to her party problem in this sweet story about love, acceptance and the true meaning of family.
This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman & Kristyna Litten (APA) £11.95
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This day in June... Parade starts soon... Rainbow arches... Joyful marches!
In a wildly whimsical, validating, and exuberant reflection of the LGBT community, This Day In June welcomes readers to experience a pride celebration and share in a day when we are all united.
Also included is a Reading Guide chock-full of facts about LGBT history and culture, as well as a Note to Parents and Caregivers with information on how to talk to children about sexual orientation and gender identity in age-appropriate ways.
This Day In June is an excellent tool for teaching respect, acceptance, and understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.
Captain Underpants and the Sensational Saga of Sir Stinks-A-Lot by Dav Pilkey (Scholastic) £5.99
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CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS returns for a twelfth adventure in this highly illustrated comic book style series! George and Harold, and their doubles, Yesterday George and Yesterday Harold, have a good thing going.
Two of them go to school, while the other two hide in the tree house and play video games all day -- then they switch!
But when their malicious gym teacher, Mr. Meaner, creates a method of mind-control that turns their fellow students into attentive, obedient, perfect children, the future of all humanity will be in George and Harold's hands!
Harriet versus the Galaxy by Samantha Baines (Knights Of) £12.99
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A hilarious and heartfelt debut from multi-award winning, hearing aid wearing, comedian, actor and author Samantha Baines.
The intergalactic adventure starts at home with Harriet, who discovers that her hearing-aid can do more than she ever bargained for when she finds an alien in her room.
Discovering that her family secretly work for an intergalactic agency, Harriet becomes the Earth's first line of defence as the only one who can understand the invaders.
Sure, her hearing aid helps her understand aliens from across the universe, if only she could understand her own feelings.
Older Readers (9+)
The Strangeworlds Travel Agency by L. D. Lapinski (Hachette Children's Group) £6.99
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At the Strangeworlds Travel Agency, each suitcase transports you to a different world. All you have to do is step inside . . .
When 12-year-old Flick Hudson accidentally ends up in the Strangeworlds Travel Agency, she uncovers a fantastic secret: there are hundreds of other worlds just steps away from ours. All you have to do to visit them is jump into the right suitcase.
Then Flick gets the invitation of a lifetime: join Strangeworlds' magical travel society and explore other worlds. But, unknown to Flick, the world at the very centre of it all, a city called Five Lights, is in danger. Buildings and even streets are mysteriously disappearing.
Once Flick realizes what's happening she must race against time, travelling through unchartered worlds, seeking a way to fix Five Lights before it collapses into nothingness - and takes our world with it.
Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson (Puffin) £6.99
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Astrid has always done everything with her best friend Nicole.
So when Astrid falls in love with roller derby and signs up for a summer camp, she's sure Nicole will be right by her side - until Nicole signs up for ballet camp instead, with Astrid's biggest rival.
So begins the hardest summer of Astrid's life, as she struggles to stay on her skates, to learn who she is without Nicole . . . and to find out what it takes to be a strong, tough, awesome roller girl.
Nothing Ever Happens Here by Sarah Hagger-Holt (Usborne) £6.99
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"This is Littlehaven. Nothing ever happens here. Until the spotlight hits my family."
Izzy's family is under the spotlight when her dad comes out as Danielle, a trans woman.
Izzy is terrified her family will be torn apart. Will she lose her dad? Will her parents break up? And what will people at school say? Izzy's always been shy, but now all eyes are on her.
Can she face her fears, find her voice and stand up for what's right?
Death in the Spotlight by Robin Stevens (Puffin) £6.99
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Someone will take their final bow . . . Fresh from their adventure in Hong Kong, Hazel Wong and Daisy Wells are off to the Rue Theatre in London to face an entirely new challenge: acting.
But the Detective Society is never far away from danger, and it's clear there's trouble afoot at the Rue.
Jealousy, threats and horrible pranks quickly spiral out of control - and then a body is found.
Now Hazel and Daisy must take centre stage and solve the crime . . . before the murderer strikes again.
The Whispers by Greg Howard (Puffin) £6.99
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Before she disappeared, Riley's mama used to tell him stories about the Whispers, mysterious creatures with the power to grant wishes.
Riley wishes for lots of things. He wishes his secret crush Dylan liked him back. He wishes the bumbling detective would stop asking awkward questions.
But most of all he wishes his mother would come home . . Four months later, the police are no closer to finding out the truth - and Riley decides to take matters into his own hands.
But do the Whispers really exist?And what is Riley willing to do to find out?
The Secrets of Billie Bright by Susie Day (Puffin) £6.99
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Billie Bright's family is pretty big for one that's got somebody missing.
There's Billie who is a girl Billie and eleven and about to go to secondary school.
Then there are her three big brothers and her Dad, who also runs the cafe under their flat.
Life's loud but Billie likes it, even without her mum there any more. But with the new school comes having to make new friends and all kinds of other grown-up things to deal with. And at home it feels like all her brothers are keeping secrets from her.
So when she decides to do a project on her mum, she has to do all the research herself and ends up finding out all kinds of things she doesn't expect to.
Lumberjanes Vol. 1: Beware the Kitten Holy by Noelle Stevenson, Grace Ellis & Brooke A. Allen (Boom! Studios) £10.99
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Friendship to the max! Jo, April, Mal, Molly and Ripley are five best pals determined to have an awesome summer together...and they're not gonna let any insane quest or an array of supernatural critters get in their way!
LUMBERJANES is one of those punk rock, love-everything-about-it stories that appeals to fans of basically all excellent things.
It's Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Gravity Falls and features five butt-kicking, rad teenage girls wailing on monsters and solving a mystery with the whole world at stake. And with the talent of acclaimed cartoonist Noelle Stevenson, talented newcomer Grace Ellis writing, and Brooke Allen on art, this is going to be a spectacular series that you won't want to miss.
To Night Owl From Dogfish by Holly Goldberg-Sloan & Meg Wolitzer (Egmont) £6.99
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Avery (Night Owl) is bookish, intense, likes to plan ahead, and is afraid of many things.
Bett (Dogfish) is fearless, outgoing, and lives in the moment.
What they have in common is that they are both twelve years old, and their dads are dating each other.
Bett and Avery are sent, against their will, to the same camp for the summer vacation.
Their dads hope that they will find common ground and become friends - and possibly, one day, even sisters. Against all odds, the girls soon can't imagine a life without each other.
But when the worst happens, and their dads break up, Avery and Bett must figure out a way to get them to fall in love again.
Is keeping a family together as easy as they think it is?
George by Alex Gino (Scholastic) £6.99
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When people look at George, they think they see a boy.
But she knows she's not a boy. She knows she's a girl. George thinks she'll have to keep this a secret forever.
Then her teacher announces that their class play is going to be Charlotte's Web.
George really, really, REALLY wants to play Charlotte.
But the teacher says she can't even try out for the part . . . because she's a boy.
Better Nate Than Never by Tim Federle (Walker Books) £6.99
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Tim Federle's warm and witty debut is the story of small-town boy Nate as he follows his dreams and learns to be his own best self.
Thirteen-year-old Nate Foster has always wanted to star in a Broadway show. (In fact, he'd settle for seeing a Broadway show.) With best pal Libby's help, Nate plans a daring overnight escape to New York.
There's an open casting call for E.T.: The Musical, and Nate knows this could be the difference between small-town blues and big-time stardom.
Tim Federle's hilarious and touching debut is full of broken curfews, second chances and the adventure of growing up - because sometimes you have to get four hundred miles from your back garden to finally feel at home.
Teen (12+)
Things a Bright Girl Can Do by Sally Nicholls (Andersen Press) £7.99
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Through rallies and marches, in polite drawing rooms and freezing prison cells and the poverty-stricken slums of the East End, three courageous young women join the fight for the vote. Evelyn is seventeen, and though she is rich and clever, she may never be allowed to follow her older brother to university.
Enraged that she is expected to marry her childhood sweetheart rather than be educated, she joins the Suffragettes, and vows to pay the ultimate price for women's freedom. May is fifteen, and already sworn to the cause, though she and her fellow Suffragists refuse violence.
When she meets Nell, a girl who's grown up in hardship, she sees a kindred spirit.
Together and in love, the two girls start to dream of a world where all kinds of women have their place. But the fight for freedom will challenge Evelyn, May and Nell more than they ever could believe.
As war looms, just how much are they willing to sacrifice?
The Moonlight Dreamers by Siobhan Curham (Walker Books) £7.99
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Amber, Maali, Sky and Rose are not like everyone else and they don't want to be. Becoming friends gives them the courage to be themselves. An inspirational, heart-warming book about four girls trying to find their place in the world.
Amber craves excitement and adventure. Instead, she's being bullied at school for having two dads, and life at home isn't much better.
Inspired by Oscar Wilde, Amber realizes that among the millions of people in London, there must be others who feel the same as she does; other dreamers - moonlight dreamers.
After chance encounters with Maali, Sky and Rose, Amber soon recruits the three girls to the Moonlight Dreamers.
It's high time they started pursuing their dreams, and how better than with the support of friends?
Boy Meets Hamster by Birdie Milano (Pan Macmillan) £7.99
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Fourteen-year-old Dylan Kershaw's idea of a dream holiday includes at least three things: beaches to bask on, cosmopolitan culture, and a chance for romance (or at least his first kiss) with another boy.
Unluckily for Dylan, his mum's treating the family to the least dreamy holiday ever: a GBP9.50 break at Starcross Sands, Cornwall's Crummiest Caravan Park. But Starcross Sands might not be so bad after all, especially if Dylan can win the heart of Jayden-Lee, the gorgeous boy in the caravan next-door.
There's only one thing standing in true love's way: the park's massive hamster mascot, Nibbles, who seems to have it in for both Dylan and his romantic chances.
Dylan's best friend, Kayla, claims that appearances can be deceptive: so is Jayden-Lee just as lovely beneath the surface, and what could be lurking under Nibbles' furry face?
Love Frankie by Jacqueline Wilson (Penguin) £12.99
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Frankie is nearly fourteen and teenage life certainly comes with its ups and downs.
Her mum is seriously ill with MS and Frankie can feel herself growing up quickly, no thanks to Sally and her gang of bullies at school. When Sally turns out to be not-so-mean after all, they strike up a friendship and are suddenly spending all of their time together. But Frankie starts to wonder whether these feelings she has for Sally are stronger than her other friendships.
Might she really be in love? Frankie doesn't want Sally to just be her friend.
She wants her to be her girlfriend. But does Sally feel the same? The must-have new novel about falling in love for the first time from bestselling, much-loved children's author, Jacqueline Wilson.
The Paper & Hearts Society: Read with Pride by Lucy Powrie (Hachette Children's Books) £7.99
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Will you be the next recruit for The Paper & Hearts Society book club?
Olivia Santos is excited for her last year at secondary school.
But when a parent complains about LGBTQ+ content in one of the books, the library implements a new policy for withdrawing books.
Olivia is distraught - she's demisexual and knows how important it is for all readers to see themselves represented.
Luckily, she's the mastermind behind The Paper & Hearts Society book club, and she knows exactly what to do: start a new club, find ways of evading the system, and change the policy for good! With two book clubs to run, exams to prepare for, and a girlfriend, just how long will it be before Olivia burns out?
After all, creating a book club and trying to get the #ReadWithPride hashtag to get noticed is going to take a lot of energy. Sometimes, when you're in too deep, it's up to your friends to look out for you ...
Pet by Akwaeke Emezi (Faber & Faber) £7.99
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How do you save the world from monsters if no one will admit they exist?She stumbled backwards, her eyes wide, as the figure started coming out of the canvas... She tried to be brave. Well, she said, her hands only a little shaky, at least tell me what I should call you. ... Well, little girl, it replied, I suppose you can call me Pet. There are no more monsters anymore, or so the children in the city of Lucille are taught.
With doting parents and a best friend named Redemption, Jam has grown up with this lesson all her life.
But when she meets Pet, a creature made of horns and colours and claws, who emerges from one of her mother's paintings and a drop of Jam's blood, she must reconsider what she's been told.
Pet has come to hunt a monster, and the shadow of something grim lurks in Redemption's house.
Jam must fight not only to protect her best friend, but also to uncover the truth.
Alex in Wonderland by Simon James Green (Scholastic) £7.99
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A novel that will have you laughing out loud one minute, and swooning the next!
In the town of Newsands, painfully shy Alex is abandoned by his two best friends for the summer. But he unexpectedly lands a part-time job at Wonderland, a run-down amusement arcade on the seafront, where hegets to know the other teen misfits who work there. Alex starts to come out of his shell, and even starts to develop feelings for co-worker Ben... who, as Alex's bad luck would have it, has a girlfriend.
Then as debtors close in on Wonderland and mysterious, threatening notes start to appear, Alex and his new friends take it on themselves to save their declining employer. But, like everything in Wonderland, nothing is quite what it seems...
Heartstopper by Alice Oseman (Hachette Children's Books) £10.99
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Boy meets boy. Boys become friends. Boys fall in love. An LGBTQ+ graphic novel about life, love, and everything that happens in between - for fans of The Art of Being Normal, Holly Bourne and Love, Simon.
Charlie and Nick are at the same school, but they've never met ... until one day when they're made to sit together. They quickly become friends, and soon Charlie is falling hard for Nick, even though he doesn't think he has a chance.
But love works in surprising ways, and Nick is more interested in Charlie than either of them realised. Heartstopper is about love, friendship, loyalty and mental illness.
It encompasses all the small stories of Nick and Charlie's lives that together make up something larger, which speaks to all of us.
You Only Live Once by Jess Valance (Piccadilly Press) £6.99
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Gracie Dart has always worked hard and she's got a wall covered with revision timetables and French verbs to prove it. But now GCSEs are behind her and she suddenly starts to think: what was the POINT of it all?When Gracie thinks she's dying of a disgusting tropical illness, she starts to worry she's been wasting her best years being sensible.
It's like people say: you only live once - so isn't it about time she started LIVING? (OK, so the tropical illness turned out to be a fake-tan miscalculation. Anyone could make the same mistake.) When Gracie decides to do something, she does it properly. Gracie Dart is about to live out her dreams.
However embarrassing.
Noteworthy by Riley Redgate (Abrams) £10.99
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It's the start of Jordan Sun's junior year at the Kensington-Blaine Boarding School for the Performing Arts.
Unfortunately, she's an Alto 2, which in the musical theatre world is sort of like being a vulture in the wild: She has a spot in the ecosystem, but nobody's falling over themselves to express their appreciation.
So it's no surprise when she gets shut out of the fall musical for the third year straight.
But then the school gets a mass email: A spot has opened up in the Sharpshooters, Kensington's elite a cappella octet.
Worshiped . . . revered . . . all male. Desperate to prove herself, Jordan auditions in her most convincing drag, and it turns out that Jordan Sun, Tenor 1, is exactly what the Sharps are looking for.
Young Adult
The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta (Hachette Children's Books) £7.99
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This is not about being ready, it's not even about being fierce, or fearless, IT'S ABOUT BEING FREE. Michael waits in the stage wings, wearing a pink wig, pink fluffy coat and black heels.
One more step will see him illuminated by spotlight.
He has been on a journey of bravery to get here, and he is almost ready to show himself to the world in bold colours ...
Can he emerge as The Black Flamingo?
PROUD: Stories, Poetry and Art on the Theme of Pride, compiled by Juno Dawson (Little Tiger Press) £7.99
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A stirring, bold and moving anthology of stories and poetry by top LGBTQ+ YA authors and new talent, giving their unique responses to the broad theme of pride.
Each story has an illustration by an artist identifying as part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Compiled by Juno Dawson, author of THIS BOOK IS GAY and CLEAN. A celebration of LGBTQ+ talent, PROUD is a thought-provoking, funny, emotional read. Contributors: Steve Antony, Dean Atta, Kate Alizadeh, Fox Benwell, Alex Bertie, Caroline Bird, Fatti Burke, Tanya Byrne, Moira Fowley-Doyle, Frank Duffy, Simon James Green, Leo Greenfield, Saffa Khan, Karen Lawler, David Levithan, Priyanka Meenakshi, Alice Oseman, Michael Lee Richardson, David Roberts, Cynthia So, Kay Staples, Jessica Vallance, Kristen Van Dam and Kameron White.
Wonderland by Juno Dawson (Hachette Children's Books) £7.99
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Alice lives in a world of stifling privilege and luxury - but none of it means anything when your own head plays tricks on your reality.
When her troubled friend Bunny goes missing, Alice becomes obsessed with finding her.
On the trail of her last movements, Alice discovers a mysterious invitation to 'Wonderland': the party to end all parties - three days of hedonistic excess to which only the elite are welcome.
Will she find Bunny there? Or is this really a case of finding herself? Because Alice has secrets of her own, and ruthless socialite queen Paisley Hart is determined to uncover them, whatever it takes.
Alice is all alone, miles from home, and now she has a new enemy who wants her head... A searing exploration of mental health, gender and privilege, from the most addictive YA novelist in the UK today.
Release by Patrick Ness (Walker Books) £7.99
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The most personal and tender novel yet from Patrick Ness, the twice Carnegie Medal-winning author of A Monster Calls. It's Saturday, it's summer and, although he doesn't know it yet, everything in Adam Thorn's life is going to fall apart.
But maybe, just maybe, he'll find freedom from the release.
Time is running out though, because way across town, a ghost has risen from the lake...
This uplifting coming-of-age novel will remind you what it's like to fall in love.
If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo (Usborne) £7.99
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Amanda Hardy is the new girl at school. Like everyone else, all she wants is to make friends and fit in.
But Amanda is holding back. Even from Grant, the guy she's falling in love with. Amanda has a secret. At her old school, she used to be called Andrew. And secrets always have a way of getting out...
Loveless by Alice Oseman (HarperCollins) £7.99
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It was all sinking in. I'd never had a crush on anyone. No boys, no girls, not a single person I had ever met.
What did that mean? Georgia has never been in love, never kissed anyone, never even had a crush - but as a fanfic-obsessed romantic she's sure she'll find her person one day. As she starts university with her best friends, Pip and Jason, in a whole new town far from home, Georgia's ready to find romance, and with her outgoing roommate on her side and a place in the Shakespeare Society, her 'teenage dream' is in sight. But when her romance plan wreaks havoc amongst her friends, Georgia ends up in her own comedy of errors, and she starts to question why love seems so easy for other people but not for her.
With new terms thrown at her - asexual, aromantic - Georgia is more uncertain about her feelings than ever. Is she destined to remain loveless? Or has she been looking for the wrong thing all along?
This wise, warm and witty story of identity and self-acceptance sees Alice Oseman on towering form as Georgia and her friends discover that true love isn't limited to romance.
Undone by Cat Clarke (Hachette Children's Books) £7.99
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Real, compulsive and intense: Cat Clarke is the queen of emotional suspense.
For fans of Paula Hawkins, Gillian Flynn, Megan Abbott and Jandy Nelson. Jem Halliday is in love with her gay best friend. Not exactly ideal, but she's learning to live with it.
Then the unspeakable happens. Kai is outed online ... and he kills himself. Jem knows nothing she can say or do will bring him back.
But she wants to know who was responsible. And she wants to take them down. A searing story of love, revenge and betrayal from a bestselling author.
The Love Hypothesis by Laura Steven (Egmont) £7.99
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With straight As and a college scholarship already in the bag, she's meeting her two dads' colossal expectations and then some.
But there's one test she's never quite been able to ace: love. And when, in a particularly desperate moment, Caro discovers a (definitely questionable) scientific breakthrough that promises to make you irresistible to everyone around you, she wonders if this could be the key. What happens next will change everything Caro thought she knew about chemistry - in the lab and in love.
Is hot guy Haruki with her of his own free will? Are her feelings for her best friend Keiko some sort of side-effect?
Will her dog, Sirius, ever stop humping her leg?
The Quiet at the End of the World by Lauren James (Walker Books) £7.99
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How far would you go to save those you love?
Lowrie and Shen are the youngest people on the planet after a virus caused global infertility.
Closeted in a pocket of London and doted upon by a small, ageing community, the pair spend their days mudlarking and looking for treasure - until a secret is uncovered that threatens not only their family but humanity's entire existence.
Now Lowrie and Shen face an impossible choice: in the quiet at the end of the world, they must decide what to sacrifice to save the whole human race...
Hideous Beauty by William Hussey (Usborne) £7.99
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Dylan is forced to come out after his secret relationship with Ellis is exposed on social media, but to his surprise, everyone is really supportive - or appears to be.
But Dylan's and El's happiness is short-lived, and following a tragic accident, Dylan begins to realize how little he knows about the boy he loves...or those closest to him.
Non-Fiction
Queer Heroes by Arabelle Sicardi & Sarah Tanat-Jones (Wide Eyed Editions) £14.99
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This beautiful, bold book celebrates the achievements of LGBTQ+ people through history and from around the world.
It features dynamic full-colour portraits of a diverse selection of 53 inspirational role models accompanied by short biographies that focus on their incredible successes. From Freddie Mercury's contribution to music, Emma Gonzalez's brave and powerful message, Leonardo da Vinci's artistic legend, Harvey Milk's refusal to stay quiet and so many more inspiring queer heroes and icons and their tapestry of stories.
Published to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, this extraordinary book will show children that anything is possible. Discover the inspiring stories of these LGBTQ+ artists, writers, innovators, athletes, and activists who have made great contributions to culture, from ancient times to present day.
Boy Oh Boy by Cliff Leek & Bene Rohlmann (Wide Eyed Editions) £14.99
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Meet 30 positive male role models from throughout history.
From activists like Mahatma Gandhi and Frederick Douglass to creative innovators like Prince and David Hockney, these men have fought conventional stereotypes to prove that modern-day masculinity can be defined freely.
Instead of a single model of how a boy can grow into a man, this book offers 30 stories of people whose lives demonstrate that there are endless possibilities - that boys and men can do and be so much more than what we think of when we say things like 'boys will be boys.'
Discover a world of inspirational change-makers, teachers, peacemakers, artists, scientists and more who have defied the expectations, care deeply about others, stand up for what is right and express themselves in creative and exciting ways.
What is Gender? How Does it Define Us? And Other Big Questions by Juno Dawson (Hachette Children's Group) £9.99
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What's the difference between sex and gender? What does it mean to be defined by your gender? Are there only two genders? This informative book helps kids to explore these questions and many more.
It explains how your gender can have an impact on your life, what it means to choose your own gender identity and the importance of gender equality.
Topics covered include gender stereotypes, why there are different toys for boys and girls, being intersex and transgender, cross-dressing and gender around the world.
You will also hear from a range of people who share their personal gender philosophies.
Non-Fiction for Teen & Young Adult Readers
This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson (Hot Key Books) £8.99
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A funny and pertinent book about being lesbian, bisexual, gay, queer, transgender or just curious - for everybody, no matter their gender or sexualityFormer PSHCE teacher and acclaimed YA author Juno Dawson gives an uncensored look at what it's like to grow up as LGBT.
Including testimonials from people across the gender and sexual spectrums, this frank, funny, fully inclusive book explores everything anyone who ever dared to wonder wants to know - from sex to politics, how to pull, stereotypes, how to come-out and more.
Spike Gerrell's hilarious illustrations combined with funny and factual text make this a must-read.
What's the T? : The no-nonsense guide to being trans and/or non-binary for teens by Juno Dawson (Hachette Children's Books) £8.99
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Discover what it means to be a young transgender or non-binary person in the twenty-first century in this frank and funny guide for 14+ teens, from the author of This Book is Gay.
In What's the T?, Stonewall ambassador, bestselling trans author and former PSHE teacher Juno Dawson defines a myriad of labels and identities and offers uncensored advice on coming out, sex and relationships with her trademark humour and lightness of touch.
Juno has also invited her trans and non-binary friends to make contributions, ensuring this inclusive book reflects as many experiences as possible, and features the likes of Travis Alabanza and Jay Hulme.
The companion title to the groundbreaking This Book Is Gay, What's the T? tackles the complex realities of growing up trans with honesty and humour, and is joyfully illustrated by gender non-conforming artist Soofiya.
Yay! You're Gay! Now What? : A Gay Boy's Guide to Life by Riyadh Khalaf (Frances Lincoln) £9.99
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Yay! You're gay! Or maybe you're bi. Or maybe you just feel different... in time, that difference will become the greatest gift you could ask for.
It will bring you love, a sense of identity, a new community, and eventually the freedom to be yourself.
I promise! In this personal, heartfelt go-to guide for young queer guys, broadcaster, YouTuber and LGBT+ advocate Riyadh Khalaf shares frank advice about everything from coming out to relationships, as well as encouragement for times when you're feeling low.
There's a support section for family and friends written by Riyadh's parents and LOADS of hilarious, embarrassing, inspiring and moving stories from gay boys from around the world.
Plus inspirational gay men including Stephen Fry, Clark Moore and James Kavanagh share the advice they would give to their younger selves.
Queer, There, and Everywhere : 23 People Who Changed the World by Sarah Prager (HarperCollins) £7.99
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This first-ever LGBTQ history book of its kind for young adults will appeal to fans of fun, empowering pop-culture books like Rad American Women A-Z and Notorious RBG.
Three starred reviews!World history has been made by countless lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals-and you've never heard of many of them. Queer author and activist Sarah Prager delves deep into the lives of 23 people who fought, created, and loved on their own terms.
From high-profile figures like Abraham Lincoln and Eleanor Roosevelt to the trailblazing gender-ambiguous Queen of Sweden and a bisexual blues singer who didn't make it into your history books, these astonishing true stories uncover a rich queer heritage that encompasses every culture, in every era.
By turns hilarious and inspiring, the beautifully illustrated Queer, There, and Everywhere is for anyone who wants the real story of the queer rights movement.
Trans Mission : My Quest to a Beard by Alex Bertie (Hachette Children's Books) £9.99
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I guess we should start at the beginning. I was born on 2 November 1995. The doctors in the hospital took one look at my genitals and slapped an F on my birth certificate. 'F' for female, not fail - though that would actually have been kind of appropriate given present circumstances. When I was 15, I realised I was a transgender man.
That makes it sound like I suddenly had some kind of lightbulb moment.
In reality, coming to grips with my identity has taken a long time.
Over the last six years, I've come out to my family and friends, changed my name, battled the healthcare system, started taking male hormones and have had surgery on my chest.
My quest to a beard is almost complete. This is my story.
The 57 Bus : A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime That Changed Their Lives by Dashka Slater (Hachette Children's Books) £7.99
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One teenager in a skirt.
One teenager with a lighter. One moment that changes both their lives forever. Two teenagers growing up in Oakland, California. One, Sasha, was born male but identifies as agender, wears skirts and attends a private school.
The other, Richard, is an African American from a poor part of Oakland who attends a rough public school.
They have no reason to meet, except for eight minutes every day, they catch the same bus home. And one day, messing about, Richard spies Sasha napping.
He flicks the flame of his lighter to Sasha's skirt, and Sasha wakes up in a ball of flame.
What happens next, as the victim, the perpetrator and the community struggle to come to terms with their sadness and shock, is a story of recovery, reconciliation, forgiveness and, above all, hope.
It's about the power of being true to yourself, bravery and the good and bad in all of us. And, remarkably, it's all true.
Rainbow Revolutions : Power, Pride and Protest in the Fight for Queer Rights by Jamie Lawson & Eve Lloyd Knight (Hachette Children's Books) £12.99
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On June 28 1969, around one o'clock in the morning, New York City Police raided the Stonewall Inn, a bar in Greenwich Village, New York... What happened that night would come to be a defining moment in the LGBTQ+ rights movement and for queer people everywhere.
From the impassioned speeches of bold activists Karl Ulrichs and Audre Lorde to the birth of Pride and queer pop culture, Rainbow Revolutions charts the dramatic rise of the LGBTQ+ rights movement, and celebrates the courageous individuals who stood up and demanded recognition.
With bold and beautiful illustrations by pop artist Eve Lloyd Knight.
Resources
For young people and families:
Stonewall: https://www.youngstonewall.org.uk/
Mermaids UK: https://mermaidsuk.org.uk/
The Proud Trust: https://www.theproudtrust.org/for-young-people/
Further resources: https://thebeyouproject.co.uk/resources/
For teachers and schools:
LGBTQ+ Primary Hub: https://www.lgbtqprimaryhub.com/
Stonewall Resources for Schools & Colleges: https://www.stonewall.org.uk/schools-colleges
The Proud Trust Resources for Schools: https://www.theproudtrust.org/training-and-education/
Barnardo's Resources for PSHE: https://www.pshe-association.org.uk/barnardos