June is Pride Month, commemorated the same month the Stonewall riots took place in 1969. The Stonewall uprising is credited with launching the movement to outlaw discriminatory laws and practices against LGBTQ Americans.
In more recent years, Pride Month celebrations include things like large pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, and concerts and is marked around the world. This year might look a little different because of the pandemic, but it's important to continue to be vocal about supporting LGBTQ rights.
Books are a great way to launch a discussion at home about acceptance, understanding, and empathy with your kids along with LGBTQ rights and what it means to be an ally.
Hurricane Child
By Kacen Callender
Being born during a hurricane is unlucky, and twelve-year-old Caroline, who lives on Water Island in the U.S. Virgin Islands, has had her share of bad luck lately. But when a new student arrives, Caroline believes her luck is turning around.
When Aidan Became a Brother
By Kyle Lukoff
When Aidan was born, everyone thought he was a girl. His parents gave him a pretty name, his room looked like a girl's room, and he wore clothes that other girls liked wearing. After he realized he was a trans boy, Aidan and his parents fixed the parts of life that didn't fit anymore, and he settled happily into his new life. Then Mom and Dad announce that they're going to have another baby.
Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag
By Rob Sanders
In this deeply moving and empowering true story, young readers will trace the life of the Gay Pride Flag, from its beginnings in 1978 with social activist Harvey Milk and designer Gilbert Baker to its spanning of the globe and its role in today's world. Award-winning author Rob Sanders's stirring text, and acclaimed illustrator Steven Salerno''s evocative images, combine to tell this remarkable - and under-told - story. A story of love, hope, equality, and pride.
Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World
By Ashley Herring Blake
When a tornado rips through town, Ivy Aberdeen's house is destroyed and her family 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.
The Best Man
By Richard Peck
Archer Magill has spent a lively five years of grade school with one eye out in search of grown-up role models. Three of the best are his grandpa, the great architect; his dad, the great vintage car customizer, and his uncle Paul, who is just plain great. These are the three he wants to be. Along the way he finds a fourth—Mr. McLeod, a teacher. In fact, the first male teacher in the history of the school.
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 she's a girl.
Gracefully Grayson
By Ami Polonsky
Grayson Sender has been holding onto a secret for what seems like forever: "he" is a girl on the inside, stuck in the wrong gender's body.
Stella Brings the Family
By Miriam Schiffer
Stella's class is having a Mother's Day celebration, but what's a girl with two Daddies to do?
Jacob's New Dress
By Sarah Hoffman and Ian Hoffman
Jacob loves playing dress-up when he can be anything he wants to be. Some kids at school say he can't wear "girl" clothes, but Jacob wants to wear a dress to school. Can he convince his parents to let him wear what he wants? This heartwarming story speaks to the unique challenges faced by children who don't identify with traditional gender roles.
Baby's First Words
By Stella Blackstone and Sunny Scribens
Learn over 100 early vocabulary words with a toothy toddler and her two dads!
By Basil Sylvester
The literary scavenger hunt of a lifetime, starring an endlessly endearing non-binary tween
Zed Watson loves a few things: their name (which they chose themself!), their big rambunctious family, and—oh yeah—monsters. When Zed discovered the mystery surrounding an unpublished novel called The Monster’s Castle, they were completely hooked. Now Zed is a member of a small but dedicated legion devoted to finding the long-buried text.
Looking for more resources? The ADL's LGBTQ Pride Month and Education Resources page includes lesson plans and blog suggestions for families and educators.
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Kara Murphy is the publisher of Macaroni Kid Erie, Pa.
