Children need to see themselves, and others who are not like them, depicted in the stories they read. I've selected my favorite LGBTQ middle grade books for kids that speak to universal experiences like self-acceptance, needing to being seen by others, navigating friendships, and family dynamics.
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Table of contents
Books with LGBTQ Protagonists
Better Nate than Ever (series) by Tim Federle
Nate's burgeoning sexual identity is really only a small subtext of this marvelous book. It may be clear to the sophisticated reader who can read between the lines, but the main focus is Nate's determination to become the star of E.T. the Musical. It is full of laugh out loud humor and readers can't help but fall in love with Nate. The sequel, Five, Six, Seven, Nate! touches a little bit more on Nate's sexuality–but again, it's not the biggest part of the tale. Ages 8 and up.
MORE: Middle Grade Books about Theater Kids
The Best At It by Maulik Pancholy
I adored this book about an Indian-American boy, Rahul Kapoor, who is trying to discover what he is best at, and who he wants to be. He decides to try out for Mathletes and finds a welcome home, but struggles with an invitation to the Sadie Hawkins dance. This is an intensely engaging and funny story about a boy dealing with identity, OCD and anxiety. A must read! Ages 9 and up.
Star-Crossed by Barbara Dee
You will notice there are A LOT of books about the theater on this list. I can authoritatively say that is because the theater is AWESOME and of course the idea of role-playing make for a good metaphor, etc. etc. In this book, eighth grader Mattie is playing Romeo in the class production of Shakespeare's classic. During rehearsals she starts to have more-than-friends feelings for her co-star, Gemma. Mattie is confused because just recently she had a crush on a boy. There's drama on and off stage, of course but in general, this is a positive representation of a pre-teen learning about her own romantic leanings. Ages 9 and up.
The Mighty Heart of Sunny St. James by Ashley Herring Blake
This lovely book will squeeze your heart. Sunny has recently gotten a heart transplant and has decided that she is going to live life to the fullest. That includes finding a best friend and kissing a boy for the first time. Her mother, who left when Sunny was four year old, returns and Sunny needs to figure out how to accept her back into her life. Then she meets Quinn, who is set to become her new best friend and now Sunny is not even sure she wants to kiss a boy. Ages 9 and up.
MORE: Books about Kids with Medical Challenges
Drama by Raina Telegemeier
Callie wants to be in her school's latest production but she doesn't think she can sing so instead she helps out as the set designer and is determined to create a Broadway-worthy show. The "drama" of the books title could easily refer to the friendship and romantic entanglements of the middle school crew (when is middle school not melodramatic?) as well what happens on the stage. Ages 10 and up.
MORE: LGBTQIA Graphic Novels for Kids
Other Boys by Damian Alexander
Damian Alexander's graphic novel memoir will speak to every middle schooler who has tried to figure out how to navigate school while managing complicated emotions. Damian is entering seventh grade and to deal with his trauma over past bullying, he decides to stop talking. After the death of his mother, he now lives with his grandparents and is beginning to confront new feelings he has towards other boys. Damian's history is revealed through flashbacks. His conversations with a therapist and a few new friendships help him cope. Ages 10 and up.
Redwood and Ponytail by K.A. Holt
Tam and Kate, two seemingly very different people strike up a friendship. Written in verse, Tam and Kate's alternating first person narratives describe their growing relationship in all its awkward shyness and joy. Punctuating the narrative are the observations of Alex, Alyx and Alexx, who act as a sort of Greek chorus. This is a great choice for kids who like unique literary forms. Ages 10 and up.
MORE: Middle Grade Realistic Fiction
Transgender/Gender Fluid
Too Bright to See by Kyle Lukoff
11-year-old Bug lives in a haunted house and is spending the summer trying to figure out who is haunting it, and why. Meanwhile, Bug's best friend, Moira, is interested in girl-coded things that Bug doesn't have much interest in right now and Bug's gender identity is not yet clear to him. This is a nuanced coming-of-age interwoven with suspenseful ghost story. Highly recommended. Ages 9 and up.
Melissa (previously published as George) by Alex Gino
Everyone thinks fifth grader, Melissa is a boy named George. Melissa is worried no one will know who she is and she will stay hidden forever. She dreams of playing Charlotte in the school production of Charlotte's Web but the teacher won't even consider her for the part. Melissa confesses her secret to her best friend, who helps her concoct a plan. This is a quiet gem of a book and I am impressed at how accessible the text is for the intended audience. The story is not complicated with social and political backstory or controversy. Plus, all kids are familiar with the experience of keeping secrets and worrying about being accepted by others. This is a moving and hopeful story. Ages 8 and up.
The Moon Within by Aida Salazar
This is a remarkable tale about Celi, a girl who is learning about how her body is changing and taking her into womanhood. Celi's mother wants to have a moon ceremony when Celi has her first period, but Celi resists. At school, Celi is adjusting to her best friend Mar's own transition, from girl to "xochihuah," or non-binary. This important book explores cultural and gender identity in an engaging and contemporary story. Ages 9 and up.
MORE: Middle Grade Fiction Books about Puberty
Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky
Sixth grader Grayson looks like a boy, but she knows she's a girl. Feeling alienated from her peers and family, Grayson finds inner courage to audition for the female role in the school play. When a supportive drama teacher awards her the role, Grayson finds solace from school bullying among the more accepting "drama kids." (I agree, drama kids are always the best!) A marvelously thoughtful, touching and well-written book. Ages 9 and up.
Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart
Lily Jo knows she is a girl, but most of the world knows her as Tim. She has the support of her mom, sister and best friend, but Lily needs the love and support of her father in order to gain the confidence (and medication) she needs. Dunkin is the new kid in town but he has a secret. He struggles to come to terms with his bipolar disorder and find out where he fits in, too. Narrated in alternating voices, the novel follows two kids learning how to express themselves, find their own way and make the right friends.. Ages 9 and up.
MORE: Middle Grade Books That Tackle Mental Health
The Pants Project by Cat Clarke
Liv has to wear a uniform to school. The problem is, he has to wear a skirt. That's because everyone thinks Liv is a girl. If girls were allowed to wear pants then Liv could at least feel comfortable in his clothing. There are so many other things to deal with as a transgender kid, he doesn't want to wear a skirt! So with the help of a new friend (who is hiding a secret of his own) Liv sets out to change school policy. Ages 9 and up.
MORE: Middle Grade Fiction about Body Image
Books with LGBTQ Parents/Adults
The Lotterys Plus One (series) by Emma Donoghue
Find it: Amazon
The quirky Lottery family live in a rambling house they bought after winning the lottery (also the source of their surname), homeschool and do chores by drawing lots. The family was "born" when two dads and two moms decided to merge their families of multiethnic, adopted children. Now, the family must add a new member to their household. Grandfather, "Grumps,"who doesn't quite know what to do with the eclectic family, is suffering from early dementia. The narrative is told through the eyes of Sumac, one of the middle children. This is a fun book with a lot of diverse topics: gay parents, a possibly transgender child, blended, multi-racial families, special needs kids, and cross-generational relationships. But somehow it all comes together! Ages 8 and up.
The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher (series) by Dana Alison Levy
This book made me laugh out loud. A family of 2 dads and 4 adopted sons (all together they span several ethnicities and religions) lead a rather disordered and hilarious lifestyle. The boys all have different personalities, which could lend themselves to stereotypes, but thankfully do not. After finishing this book I wanted to move right in to the Fletcher household. Ages 8 and up.
MORE: Books for 8-12 Year-Olds Featuring Strong and Diverse Families
To Night Owl from Dogfish by Holly Goldberg Sloan and Meg Wolitzer
In this epistolary novel about the meaning of friends and family. Avery and Bett's fathers are sending them to the same summer camp in hopes that they will become friends. The dads are dating and thinking about getting married. At first, Avery and Bett are determined to dislike each other, but instead end up the best of friends. Avery and Bett discuss their origin stories, so readers hear about blended families, adoption, surrogates, and learn that families come in all combinations. The book ends with a wedding, but it's not the one you will be expecting!
This Would Make A Good Story Someday by Dana Alison Levy
Sara is all set to work on her new and improved self this summer! But then one of her moms gets an opportunity that sends the whole family on a cross-country train trip. Sara chronicles the trip in all its hilarity for a school project. A fun book to read during the summer! Ages 9 and up.
MORE: Books about Summer Camp
The Best Man by Richard Peck
Richard Peck is best known for his book, A Long Way From Chicago. This book is full of the same trademark humor. Archer looks up to a few men in his life and tries to learn from them–his grandfather, his dad, his uncle Paul and his teacher, a former military man. His relationships with these men help him navigate the peril of living on the edge of adolescence as he deals with friendships, bullies and general kid stuff. Then, his uncle and teacher fall in love and Archer's world view expands even further. Ages 8 and up.
My Mixed Up Berry Blue Summer by Jennifer Gennari
In Vermont, June Farrell loves to make pies. She's so good at it she is determined to will a contest. June's mother is getting ready to marry her partner, Eva but the community turns on them. June must deal with the divisiveness in the community and some especially mean words. The book also has a great summer feel to it: hot days, pie competitions, hanging out with new friends at the lake, etc. Reading this book I wondered if it was dated because of the growing acceptance of same-sex couples and the legalization of gay marriage. However, I quickly realized that of course there are still many parts of the country (and world) where June's family would still be ostracized and in any case, the book presents some important talking points about how things have changed, and how they have stayed the same. Ages 8 and up.
The Marvels by Brian Selznick
Another book with a strong theater theme! The first 400 (!) pages of this book tells the tale of multi-generational theater family in gorgeous black and white illustrations. The second half is written as a traditional novel. (This two-part format is Selznick's signature style.) Young Joseph runs away from a boarding school in search of his uncle, Albert. Albert lives alone in London, in a house that is full of questions and mysteries. The story touches on the loss of Albert's former love due to AIDS but the heart of the story is a 400 year old family saga. Selznick masterfully weaves connections to the visual half of the book as well as puzzling clues, twists and turns.
The Accidental Adventures of India McAllister by Charlotte Agell
Find it: Amazon
India lives with her mom, a breast cancer survivor. Her mom is an artist and India isn't sure if she should be embarrassed about the plaster breasts her mom makes and hangs on the wall. (A delightful detail!) Her dad has a new partner, Richard, and India isn't sure how she feels about him, either. India was adopted from China, and this book tries to stuff a lot in a short chapter book format–but there are plenty of kids who are busy navigating multiple identity issues themselves! Ages 7 and up.
MORE: Books About Divorce and Family Separation
Looking for LGBTQ picture books? Try one of these lists:
Maddy says
"The Island of Beyond" (2016) by Elizabeth Atkinson should definitely be on this list! Also her first book, "From Alice to Zen."
Erica says
Thank you for your suggestions.
Elizabeth Rowell says
Where are the books about transgender children? They are much needed for youths of this age
Erica says
I think you will notice that the top section of the list is devoted to books about transgender youth.
Elizabeth Rowell says
Help where are the transgender books - books with transgender children for middle school age children? These are very needed. I give talks about these books at conferences about transgender friendly picture books but need to start including some for 4th - 6th -7th graders.
Erica says
Several of the books on this list are about transgender children. Including George, The Pants Project, Gracefully Grayson and Lily and Dunkin.