Pride month may be over, but we believe you should always take pride in who you are! Below, we have included titles that feature
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and gender nonbinary characters. Whether you identify
with one of these groups, are an ally trying to either educate yourself, or just looking for a great new read, these titles are for you. Remember that you are
loved, you are
worthy, you deserve a great love story,
there is only one you, and the world would be a dull place without you in
it
Off the Record by Camryn Garrett
Our main character, Josie Wright, is a
journalist who is given the incredible opportunity to write a profile for new
and upcoming star, Marius Canet, which also means going on a multi-city tour.
Then, one of the supporting actresses shares a terrible secret with Josie that
challenges her thinking as a writer and as a self proclaimed fat, bisexual
Black woman.
*Side
note: I just finished this book and WOW! I laughed, I cried, I felt all
the things. This is such an empowering book for me as a midsize woman, an ally,
and as a cisgender white woman trying to understand the trials that Black
people go through every day.
Spin with Me by Ami Polonsky
In this dual narrative, Essie is a thirteen year old girl who is counting down the days until she can head back home after her father’s teaching position. Then, she meets Ollie, who is ninbinary and her countdown goes from how long until she goes home to how much time she has left to spend with Ollie. Meanwhile, Ollie is experiencing a crush of their own.. On Essie. Can the two unwind their merry-go-round of feelings before it’s too late?
Follow Your Arrow by Jessica Verdi
CeCe Ross and her girlfriend, Sylvie are social media influencers with countless fans and followers, known for their cute outfits and #relationship goals. But when Slyvie breaks up with her, CeCe is left to deal with the loss of her first love and the fear of losing followers.
Things get messier when CeCe meets Josh, a new boy in town who has no idea that she is internet famous. CeCe isn’t surprised to be falling for a guy; she's always known she was bi. And Josh is sweet and smart with excellent taste in donuts so CeCe kind of wants to keep her internet fame a secret. But when CeCe’s secrets catch up to her, she finds herself in the middle of an online storm, where she will have to confront the blurriness of private versus public life, and figure out what it means to speak her truth.
Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
Sixteen year old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now, Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he is pushed out-- without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he’s never met. Book 2, Leah on the Offbeat, features a female bisexual main character.
Sixteen year old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now, Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he is pushed out-- without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he’s never met. Book 2, Leah on the Offbeat, features a female bisexual main character.
George by Alex Gino
When people look at George, they think they see a boy. But she knows she’s not a boy. She knows that she is a girl. George thinks she’ll have to keep this 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. With the help of her best friend, Kelly, George comes up with a plan. Not just so she can be Charlotte-- but so everyone can know who she is, once and for all.
When people look at George, they think they see a boy. But she knows she’s not a boy. She knows that she is a girl. George thinks she’ll have to keep this 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. With the help of her best friend, Kelly, George comes up with a plan. Not just so she can be Charlotte-- but so everyone can know who she is, once and for all.
Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World by Ashley Herring Blake
When a tornado rips through town, twelve-year-old Ivy Aberdeen's house is destroyed and her family of five is displaced. Ivy feels invisible and ignored in the aftermath of the storm--and what's worse, her notebook filled with secret drawings of girls holding hands has gone missing. Mysteriously, Ivy's drawings begin to reappear in her locker with notes from someone telling her to open up about her identity. Ivy thinks--and hopes--that this someone might be her classmate, another girl for whom Ivy has begun to develop a crush. Will Ivy find the strength and courage to follow her true feelings?
Did you know
that each of the colors on a pride flag represent different emotional and
spiritual aspects of the psyche?
Red means life
Orange means healing
Yellow means sunlight
Green means nature
Turquoise means magic and art
Royal blue means serenity
Violet means spirit