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LGBT History Month for young people in 2016

Written by · Published Dec 16, 2015

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan, Stella brings the family by Miriam Schiffer and The art of being normal by Lisa Williamson

Picture books

Who’s in my family?: all about our families by Robie Harris

Who's in my family?: all about our families by Robie Harris

A simple matter-of-fact book describing the different families children find themselves part of.

Junior fiction

And Tango makes three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson

And Tango makes three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson

Two nurturing male penguins take care of a baby penguin in this storybook based on a true story.

Junior non-fiction

Same-sex marriage by Louise Spilsbury

Same-sex marriage by Louise Spilsbury

Explores the history of same-sex marriage in an approachable way for children.

Gay people who changed history by Adam Sutherland

Gay people who changed history by Adam Sutherland

Biographies of successful gay individuals who have overcome prejudices to make a change in the world.

The great big book of families by Mary Hoffman

The great big book of families by Mary Hoffman

A calm reassuring discussion, nicely illustrated, about the many patterns models of family life.

Heather has two mummies by Leslea Newman

Heather has two mummies by Leslea Newman

A reprint from a title first published in the US in 1989, now illustrated by Laura Cornell.

Stella brings the family by Miriam Schiffer

Stella brings the family by Miriam Schiffer

Stella brings her Papa and Daddy to the Mother’s Day celebration party.

Nicola Adams: dream to win by Roy Apps

Nicola Adams: dream to win by Roy Apps

Biography of Nicola Adams, a successful British Olympic boxer.

Younger teen

We are all made of molecules by Susin Nielsen-Fernlund

We are all made of molecules by Susin Nielsen-Fernlund

The dad of one of the central characters is gay and the book deals with her reaction to that, and a horrible incident of homophobic bullying that occurred ‘off page’ before the story started.

Unspeakable by Abbie Rushton

Unspeakable by Abbie Rushton

Described as “part thriller, part romance”, this story follows Megan, who is mute after her best friend dies, but everything changes after she befriends Jasmine.

Back to you by Cathy Cole

Back to you by Cathy Cole

Seventh instalment in the Heartside Bay series, following the ups and downs of relationships in a circle of friends.

The apple tart of hope by Sarah Moore Fitzgerald

The apple tart of hope by Sarah Moore Fitzgerald

Meg is shocked when her best friend, Oscar – also baker of the best apples tarts in the world – goes missing.

YA

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Simon vs the Homo sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Simon is happy being in the background while he decides when and how how to come out. When one of his emails is read by a class blackmailer, everything is out of Simon’s control. Though it deals with difficult themes relevant to teenagers, this is certainly not a solemn book. It includes light, funny and romantic material while never sentimentalising or ridiculing.

This book is gay by Juno Dawson (previously known as James Dawson)

This book is gay by Juno Dawson

Covers many aspects of sexual orientation and gender identity, with testimonials from people with all kinds of experiences.

Boy meets boy by David Levithan

Boy meets boy by David Levithan

Paul’s confident and stable life is rocked when he faces heartbreak.

Two boys kissing by David Levithan

Two boys kissing by David Levithan

Craig and Harry attempt to set the world record for the longest kiss. Along their journey to breaking the record, the book weaves in and out of the lives of several couples and families.

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

One cold night, in a most unlikely corner of Chicago, Will Grayson crosses paths with Will Grayson. Two guys with the same name, running in two very different circles, suddenly find their lives going in new and unexpected directions, and culminating in epic turns-of-heart and the most fabulous musical ever to grace the high-school stage.

Inheritance by Malinda Lo

Inheritance by Malinda Lo

Sci-fi thriller following Reese and David, two teenagers adapted with alien DNA by the Imria, an extraterrestrial race that has been secretly visiting Earth for decades.

Lies we tell ourselves by Robin Talley

Lies we tell ourselves by Robin Talley

Historical novel set in 1950s USA, exploring racial and gay issues, following two teenage girls on opposite sides of the Civil Rights spectrum.

The art of being normal by Lisa Williamson

The art of being normal by Lisa Williamson

Leo and David become best friends, bonding over facing bullies and exploring gender identities.

Alex as well by Alyssa Brugman

Alex as well by Alyssa Brugman

Alex has been raised as a boy for 14 years, until Alex announces that she is a girl. When Alex sets about changing her life, no one knows how to react, least of all her parents.

We recommend Mermaids, an organisation that works with families of transgender children.

Jo Dixon

I work for Suffolk Libraries Stock Team.