Books to Celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month

Proud compiled by Juno Dawson

A stirring, bold and moving anthology of stories and poetry by top LGBTQ+ YA authors and new talent, giving their unique responses to the broad theme of pride. Each story has an illustration by an artist identifying as part of the LGBTQ+ community. Compiled by Juno Dawson, author of THIS BOOK IS GAY and CLEAN .

A celebration of LGBTQ+ talent, PROUD is a thought-provoking, funny, emotional read.

Contributors: Steve Antony, Dean Atta, Kate Alizadeh, Fox Benwell, Alex Bertie, Caroline Bird, Fatti Burke, Tanya Byrne, Moira Fowley-Doyle, Frank Duffy, Simon James Green, Leo Greenfield, Saffa Khan, Karen Lawler, David Levithan, Priyanka Meenakshi, Alice Oseman, Michael Lee Richardson, David Roberts, Cynthia So, Kay Staples, Jessica Vallance, Kristen Van Dam and Kameron White.

Rick by Alex Gino

Profound, moving, and – as Charlotte would say – radiant, this book will stay with anyone lucky enough to find it.” – Publishers Weekly, starred review for MELISSA (previously titled GEORGE ) Rick’s never questioned much. He’s tagged along with his best friend Jeff, even when Jeff’s acted like a bully. He’s let his Dad joke with him about girls, even though it makes him feel uncomfortable. Everyone around him seems to think that they’ve figured him out.

But the truth is, Rick hasn’t given his own identity much thought. Now Rick’s in middle school, and it’s a place of new possibilities. With the help of his new friends that he meets at the Rainbow Spectrum club, Rick embarks on a journey to find out who he truly is.

An inspiring story about finding your place in the world.

Me, My Dad and the End of the Rainbow by Benjamin Dean

My name’s Archie Albright, and I know two things for certain:

1. My mum and dad kind of hate each other, and they’re not doing a great job of pretending that they don’t anymore.

2. They’re both keeping a secret from me, but I can’t figure out what.

Things aren’t going great for Archie Albright. His dad’s acting weird, his mum too, and all he wants is for everything to go back to normal, to three months before when his parents were happy and still lived together. When Archie sees a colourful, crumpled flyer fall out of Dad’s pocket, he thinks he may have found the answer. Only problem? The answer might just lie at the end of the rainbow, an adventure away.

Together with his best friends, Bell and Seb, Archie sets off on a heartwarming and unforgettable journey to try and fix his family, even if he has to break a few rules to do it…

Glitter Boy by Ian Eagleton

James loves dancing, poetry, and Mariah Carey (not in that order, though, because Mariah would obviously be first!). His teacher, Mr Hamilton, is getting married to his boyfriend and it seems that James will be part of a surprise choir performance at the wedding. But James’s father seems uncomfortable about the plan, and a lot of other things – like any mention of Mr Hamilton, and James’s dancing, and how James talks about his new friend Joel. Meanwhile, a different boy has been harassing James at school and calling him gay, and it’s getting worse every day. James can find relief with his beloved Nan, she’s been having worrying falls, and James can’t tell anyone, or she might be sent to a faraway care home. The secrets are building up, and James is starting to lose his characteristic spark. Can he find the strength to let the truth out?

• A joyful, raw and timely novel about family, friends, enemies, and being true to who you really are.
• Perfect for fans of Alex Gino, A.M. Dassu, and The Boy At the Back of the Class.
• Ian Eagleton is the author of Nen and the Lonely Fisherman, which was shortlisted for The Bookseller’s Book Of The Year – Discovery Category 2022

Melissa by Alex Gino

Formerly titled George, this is the unforgettable debut from Alex Gino.

“Allow me to introduce you to a remarkable book, full of love, wonder, hope, and the importance of getting to be who you were meant to be. You must read this.” David Levithan, author of Every Day and editor of George.

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. George thinks she’ll have to keep this a 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.

• The timely and touching story from Stonewall Award Winning author Alex Gino
• Author of Rick and You Don’t Know Everything, Jilly P!
• Gino’s latest book, Alice Austen Lived Here, is out in April 2022