Children's Literature: Stonewall Awards
Stonewall Book Awards
The Stonewall Book Awards are presented to English language books that have exceptional merit relating to the LGBTQIA+ experience. - American Library Association
Award-Winning & Honorary Picture Books
Not He or She, I'm Me by
Publication Date: 2023A child gets ready for a wonderful day. They gleefully get dressed, hug their parents, go to school, and play with friends. All the while, unapologetically reminding themselves that they are and can only be themselves.Desert Queen by
Publication Date: 2023In a kaleidoscope of desert sands and swirling skirts, Queen Harish takes flight. This picture book biography, spun in vibrant verse by Jyoti Gopal, traces the journey of a beloved Rajasthani drag performer who defied tradition and dazzled the world.Love, Violet by
Publication Date: 2022Love, Violet by Charlotte Sullivan Wild and Charlene Chua is a touching picture book about friendship and the courage it takes to share your feelings.Strong by
Publication Date: 2022With bold illustrations and an engaging, informative text, Strong introduces readers to Rob Kearney and his journey from an athletic kid trying to find his place to the world's first openly gay professional strongman.Kapaemahu by
Publication Date: 2022An Indigenous legend about how four extraordinary individualsof dual male and female spirit, or Mahu, brought healing arts from Tahiti to Hawaii, based on the Academy Award-contending short film.Grandad's Camper by
Publication Date: 2021This beautiful picture book honors love and reminds us not only to remember those we have lost, but to celebrate them.We Are Little Feminists: Families by
Publication Date: 2020Beautiful photos of real LGBTQ and ally families showcase all the wonderful forms of family, gender, and sexuality while poetic text builds both vocabulary and empathy.When Aidan Became a Brother by
Publication Date: 2019When Aidan Became a Brother is a heartwarming book that will resonate with transgender children, reassure any child concerned about becoming an older sibling, and celebrate the many transitions a family can experience.Julián Is a Mermaid by
Publication Date: 2018In an exuberant picture book, a glimpse of costumed mermaids leaves one boy flooded with wonder and ready to dazzle the world.Sex Is a Funny Word by
Publication Date: 2015A comic book for kids that includes children and families of all makeups, orientations, and gender identies, Sex Is a Funny Word is an essential resource about bodies, gender, and sexuality for children ages 8 to 10 as well as their parents and caregivers.Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress by
Publication Date: 2014With warm, dreamy illustrations Isabelle Malenfant perfectly captures Morris's vulnerability and the vibrancy of his imagination. This is a sweetly told story about the courage and creativity it takes to be different.This Day in June by
Publication Date: 2013In a wildly whimsical, validating, and exuberant reflection of the LGBT community, This Day In June welcomes readers to experience a pride celebration and share in a day when we are all united.
Award-Winning & Honorary Young Adult Books
The Otherwoods by
Publication Date: 2023Justine Pucella Winans will have you cowering and cackling as you follow River's reluctant hero's journey, perfect for fans of Doll Bones, Ghost Squad, and Too Bright to See.Stars in Their Eyes: a Graphic Novel by
Publication Date: 2023In this lighthearted YA romance, Maisie and Ollie discover that nothing beats the feeling of falling in love for the first time.Ander and Santi Were Here by
Publication Date: 2023Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe meets The Sun is Also a Star in this YA contemporary love story from Jonny Garza Villa, Ander & Santi Were Here, about a nonbinary Mexican American teen falling for the shy new waiter at their family's taqueria.Imogen, Obviously by
Publication Date: 2023With humor and insight, #1 New York Times bestseller Becky Albertalli explores the nuances of sexuality, identity, and friendship in this timely new novel.The Long Run by
Publication Date: 2023When fate--in the form of a party that gets busted--brings these two very different boys together, neither of them could've predicted finding a love that they'd risk everything for...The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by
Publication Date: 2023A blood-soaked and nauseating triumph that cuts like a scalpel and reads like your darkest nightmare.Cross My Heart and Never Lie by
Publication Date: 2023In this fresh, sensitive, diary-style graphic novel, 12-year-old Tuva's questions about becoming a teenager are confusing--so when her first crush turns out to be on another girl, it feels absolutely wonderful--so why does it become so complicated?Only This Beautiful Moment by
Publication Date: 2023Set against the backdrop of Tehran and Los Angeles, this tale of intergenerational trauma and love is an ode to the fragile bonds of family, the hidden secrets of history, and all the beautiful moments that make us who we are today.When the Angels Left the Old Country by
Publication Date: 2022For fans of "Good Omens"--a queer immigrant fairytale about individual purpose, the fluid nature of identity, and the power of love to change and endure.The Summer of Bitter and Sweet by
Publication Date: 2022In this complex and emotionally resonant novel about a Métis girl living on the Canadian prairies, debut author Jen Ferguson serves up a powerful story about rage, secrets, and all the spectrums that make up a person--and the sweetness that can still live alongside the bitterest truth.Man o' War by
Publication Date: 2022An achingly honest and frequently hilarious coming-of-age novel about an Arab American trans teen fighting to keep their head above water in a landlocked Midwestern town.Kings of B'more by
Publication Date: 2022Two Black queer best friends face their last day together with an epic journey through Baltimore in this magnetic YA debut by bestselling author of Here for It, R. Eric Thomas.I Kissed Shara Wheeler by
Publication Date: 2022Fierce, funny, and frank, Casey McQuiston's I Kissed Shara Wheeler is about breaking the rules, getting messy, and finding love in unexpected places.The Real Riley Mayes by
Publication Date: 2022While often funny and light, Riley's exploration of what it feels to be an outsider and how hard it can be to make a friend break your heart in the best way. And with all of Riley's hijinks and missteps, this story is laugh-out-loud funny from start to finish.In the Key of Us by
Publication Date: 2022Mariama J. Lockington's In the Key of Us is a lyrical ode to music camp, the rush of first love, and the power of one life-changing summer.Last Night at the Telegraph Club by
Publication Date: 2021Red-Scare paranoia threatens everyone, including Chinese Americans like Lily. With deportation looming over her father--despite his hard-won citizenship--Lily and Kath risk everything to let their love see the light of day.The Queer Games Avant-Garde by
Publication Date: 2020Bonnie Ruberg presents twenty interviews with twenty-two queer video game developers whose radical, experimental, vibrant, and deeply queer work is driving a momentous shift in the medium of video games.Too Bright to See by
Publication Date: 2021"A gentle, glowing wonder, full of love and understanding." -The New York Times Book ReviewAlmost Flying by
Publication Date: 2021A week-long amusement park road trip becomes a true roller coaster of emotion when Dalia realizes she has more-than-friend feelings for her new bestie.The Darkness Outside Us by
Publication Date: 2021In order to survive the ship's secrets, Ambrose and Kodiak will need to work together and learn to trust each other . . . especially once they discover what they are truly up against. Love might be the only way to survive.Felix Ever After by
Publication Date: 2020Felix Ever After is an honest and layered story about identity, falling in love, and recognizing the love you deserve.You Should See Me in a Crown by
Publication Date: 2020Liz Lighty has always believed she's too black, too poor, too awkward to shine in her small, rich, prom-obsessed midwestern town. But it's okay -- Liz has a plan that will get her out of Campbell, Indiana, forever: attend the uber-elite Pennington College, play in their world-famous orchestra, and become a doctor.Darius the Great Deserves Better by
Publication Date: 2020In this companion to the award-winning Darius the Great Is Not Okay, Darius suddenly has it all- a boyfriend, an internship, a spot on the soccer team. It's everything he's ever wanted--but what if he deserves better?Beetle and the Hollowbones by
Publication Date: 2020An enchanting, riotous, and playfully illustrated debut graphic novel following a young goblin trying to save her best friend from the haunted mall.Pet by
Publication Date: 2019A riveting and timely young adult debut novel that asks difficult questions about what choices you can make when the society around you is in denial.The Best at It by
Publication Date: 2019From award-winning actor Maulik Pancholy comes a hilarious and heartfelt middle grade debut about a gay Indian American boy coming into his own.Like a Love Story by
Publication Date: 2019This is a bighearted, sprawling epic about friendship and love and the revolutionary act of living life to the fullest in the face of impossible odds.The Black Flamingo by
Publication Date: 2020A fierce coming-of-age verse novel about identity and the power of drag, from acclaimed poet and performer Dean Atta.Hurricane Child by
Publication Date: 2018Prepare to be swept up by this exquisite novel that reminds us that grief and love can open the world in mystical ways.Picture Us in the Light by
Publication Date: 2018Danny Cheng has always known his parents have secrets. But when he discovers a taped-up box in his father's closet filled with old letters and a file on a powerful Silicon Valley family, he realises there's much more to his family's past than he ever imagined. As Danny digs deeper, he uncovers a secret that disturbs the foundations of his family history and the carefully constructed facade his parents have maintained begins to crumble. With everything he loves in danger of being stripped away, Danny must face the ghosts of the past in order to build a future that belongs to him.Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World by
Publication Date: 2018In the wake of a destructive tornado, one girl develops feelings for another in this stunning, tender novel about emerging identity, perfect for fans of The Thing About Jellyfish.The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by
Publication Date: 2017Witty, dazzling, and intriguing at every turn, The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue is an irresistible romp that explores the undeniably fine lines between friendship and love.As the Crow Flies by
Publication Date: 2017Charlie Lamonte is thirteen years old, queer, black, and questioning what was once a firm belief in God. So naturally, she's spending a week of her summer vacation stuck at an all-white Christian youth backpacking camp. As the journey wears on and the rhetoric wears thin, she can't help but poke holes in the pious obliviousness of this storied sanctuary with little regard for people like herself . . . or her fellow camper, Sydney.The 57 Bus by
Publication Date: 2017One teenager in a skirt. One teenager with a lighter. One moment that changes both of their lives forever.If I Was Your Girl by
Publication Date: 2016The award-winning, big-hearted novel about being seen for who you really are, and a love story you can't help but root for.Pride Day by
Publication Date: 2016For LGBTQ people and their supporters, Pride events are an opportunity to honor the past, protest injustice, and celebrate a diverse and vibrant community. The high point of Pride, the Pride Parade, is spectacular and colorful. But there is a whole lot more to Pride than rainbow flags and amazing outfits. How did Pride come to be? And what does Pride mean to the people who celebrate it?Unbecoming by
Publication Date: 2016Funny, sad, honest, and wise, this powerful multigenerational novel from international bestseller Jenny Downham celebrates life like no book before.When the Moon Was Ours by
Publication Date: 2016Atmospheric, dynamic, and packed with gorgeous prose,When the Moon was Ours is another winner from this talented author.Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, Book 2 the Hammer of Thor by
Publication Date: 2016The second installment in Rick Riordan's blockbuster Norse mythology series has Magnus and friends helping the god of thunder find his missing weapon before all Muspellheim breaks loose.Wonders of the Invisible World by
Publication Date: 2015The captivating Stonewall Honor-winning novel of love, family, and ghosts of the past.The Porcupine of Truth by
Publication Date: 2015The author of Openly Straight returns with an epic road trip involving family history, gay history, the girlfriend our hero can't have, the grandfather he never knew, and the Porcupine of Truth.George by
Publication Date: 2015When 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. With the help of her best friend, Kelly, George comes up with a plan. Not just so she can be Charlotte -- but so everyone can know who she is, once and for all.I'll Give You the Sun by
Publication Date: 2014The New York Times Bestselling story of first love, family, loss, and betrayal for fans of John Green, Nicola Yoon, Jonathan Tropper, Emma Straub, and Rainbow RowellBeyond Magenta by
Publication Date: 2014A groundbreaking work of LGBT literature takes an honest look at the life, love, and struggles of transgender teens.Better Nate Than Ever by
Publication Date: 2013Tim Federle's "hilarious and heartwarming debut novel" (Publishers Weekly) is full of broken curfews, second chances, and the adventure of growing up--because sometimes you have to get four hundred miles from your backyard to finally feel at home.Branded by the Pink Triangle by
Publication Date: 2013A mix of historical research, first-person accounts and individual stories brings this time to life for young readers. Stories of bravery in the face of inhuman cruelty, friendship found in the depths of despair in the camps and the perseverance of the human spirit will educate and inspire.Two Boys Kissing by
Publication Date: 2013"An intriguing, complex narrative with an unusual point of view...[and] a quality of retrospection that is rare (and refreshing) in YA literature." --The Washington PostBeautiful Music for Ugly Children by
Publication Date: 2012"This is Beautiful Music for Ugly Children, on community radio 90.3, KZUK. I'm Gabe. Welcome to my show." My birth name is Elizabeth, but I'm a guy. Gabe. My parents think I've gone crazy and the rest of the world is happy to agree with them, but I know I'm right. I've been a boy my whole life. When you think about it, I'm like a record. Elizabeth is my A side, the song everybody knows, and Gabe is my B side--not heard as often, but just as good. It's time to let my B side play. .Fat Angie by
Publication Date: 2013Her sister was captured in Iraq, she's the resident laughingstock at school, and her therapist tells her to count instead of eat. Can a daring new girl in her life really change anything?Sparks by
Publication Date: 2011Three chases, three declarations of love, two heartbreaks, a break-in, and five dollars worth of gas later, Debbie has been fully initiated into Bluedaism--but is there time left to stop Lisa and Norman from going too far?October Mourning by
Publication Date: 2012A masterful poetic exploration of the impact of Matthew Shepard's murder on the world.Drama by
Publication Date: 2012Callie loves theater. And while she would totally try out for her middle school's production of Moon over Mississippi, she can't really sing. Instead she's the set designer for the drama department's stage crew, and this year she's determined to create a set worthy of Broadway on a middle-school budget. But how can she, when she doesn't know much about carpentry, ticket sales are down, and the crew members are having trouble working together? Not to mention the onstage AND offstage drama that occurs once the actors are chosen. And when two cute brothers enter the picture, things get even crazier!
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