June is Rainbow Book Month — a nationwide celebration of LGBTQ+ authors and writings that reflect their lives and experiences.
Throughout the month we will share blogs and social media posts that highlight books and resources in our collection featuring LGBTQ+ characters and life experiences.
Children’s Picture Books
Bathe the Cat by Alice McGinty
Dad has posted a list of chores for the family to do before grandma comes, including bathing the cat; but the cat does not want a bath, so she mixes up the instructions, and soon the family is mowing the floor, vacuuming the lawn, mopping the baby — and the house is in chaos.
Llama Glamarama by Simon James Green
When he stumbles upon the Llama Glamarama, a carnival of music and dancing, Larry, who marches to the beat of his own drum, finally finds the courage to be who he really wants to be.
Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle by Nina LaCour
When her mother goes on a business trip, a little girl, who loves to sit between Mama and Mommy at the table, misses her a lot and feels empty until Mommy finally comes home, filling the void with love.
Juvenile Fiction
Ellen outside the lines by A.J. Sass
Ellen, an autistic thirteen-year-old, navigates a new city, shifting friendships, a growing crush, and her queer and Jewish identities while on a class trip to Barcelona, Spain.
This is our rainbow : 16 stories of her, him, them, and us by edited by Katherine Locke and Nicole Melleby
The first LGBTQA+ anthology for middle-graders featuring stories for every letter of the acronym, including realistic, fantasy, and sci-fi stories by authors like Justina Ireland, Marieke Nijkamp, Alex Gino, and more! A boyband fandom becomes a conduit to coming out. A former bully becomes a first-kiss prospect. One nonbinary kid searches for an inclusive athletic community after quitting gymnastics. Another nonbinary kid, who happens to be a pirate, makes a wish that comes true–but not how they thought it would. A tween girl navigates a crush on her friend’s mom. A young witch turns herself into a puppy to win over a new neighbor. A trans girl empowers her online bestie to come out.
The Insiders by Mark Oshiro
Twelve-year-old Héctor Muñoz, fleeing from bullies, discovers a magical closet that not only provides him sanctuary, but also unites him with two other kids facing similar problems at their own schools, helping them find friendship and strength in each other.
English