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Happy Pride Month! There’s no better opportunity to celebrate love, identity, inclusion, and the joy of being exactly who you are. And one of the most powerful ways we can honor our LGBTQ+ students and community is by sharing stories that reflect the diverse experiences and journeys of queer individuals. 

Whether you’re looking for children’s books for Pride Month, LGBTQ books for teens, or powerful memoirs my queer authors, this list of Pride Month books offers something for every reader from kindergarten to college. And these stories aren’t just inspiring, they are essential!

A recent study from GLSEN found that students in schools with LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum reported feeling safer, experienced less bullying, and were more likely to feel a sense of belonging. When students see themselves and others represented in books, it creates a ripple effect of empathy, understanding, and acceptance. 

So this Pride Month, let’s fill our shelves with the best LGBTQ books for kids, teens, and everyone in between. Because every student deserves to see a story that reminds them they belong! 

Bright Beginnings: Pride Picture Books for Little Readers 

Colorful, imaginative, and full of heart, children's books for Pride Month help even the youngest readers understand love, acceptance, and identity. At this age, picture books with vibrant illustrations and lovable queer characters spark curiosity and build empathy from a young age. When kids see all kinds of families, identities, and expressions in the pages they read, they learn to celebrate differences from the very start.

Papa's Coming Home by Chasten Buttigieg

Tío and Tío: The Ring Bearers by Ross Mathews and Wellinthon García-Mathews

Under One Rainbow by Chris Ayala-Kronos

One Day in June: A Story Inspired by the Life and Activism of Marsha P. Johnson by Tourmaline

Make Your Own Rainbow: A Drag Queen's Guide to Color by Lil Miss Hot Mess

Pride Is Love by Dano Moreno

Chapters of Change: LGBTQ+ Books for Middle Schoolers

Middle school is a time of big questions, shifting relationships, and growing self-awareness. This makes it the perfect time for stories that reflect the real experiences they may be going through. These middle school books explore identity, family, and belonging with heart and humor, offering LGBTQ+ characters kids can relate to. They tackle important topics with honesty while still keeping a lighter tone that resonates with readers in this in-between stage of life.

The Queen Bees of Tybee County by Kyle Casey Chu

Family Week by Sarah Moon

Bea Mullins Takes a Shot by Emily Deibert

Mountain Upside Down by Sara Ryan

Ollie In Between by Jess Callans

A Song for You and I: (A Graphic Novel) by K. O'Neill

Becoming You: Queer Stories for the High School Years

High school can feel like a rollercoaster! It can feel like years filled with self-discovery, pressure, and the search for where you truly belong. These LGBTQ books for teens go beyond just love stories; they dive into identity, friendship, and resilience, often transporting readers to new worlds while staying grounded in authentic queer experiences. Whether it's contemporary drama or fantastical adventures, these stories show that being true to yourself is the bravest journey of all.

Amelia, If Only by Becky Albertalli

Let Them Stare by Jonathan Van Ness and Julie Murphy

The Survivor Wants to Die at the End by Adam Silvera

Fable for the End of the World by Ava Reid

The Rebel's Guide to Pride by Matthew Hubbard

A Treachery of Swans by A. B. Poranek

Exploring Identity: LGBTQ+ Fiction for College & Beyond

College is a time of exploration. Exploration of ideas, identity, and one's place in the world. As students navigate new freedoms and big questions, LGBTQ books offer powerful windows into the diverse ways people live, love, and grow. These stories don't just entertain, they challenge assumptions, spark self-reflection, and encourage dialogue on campus.

The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab

Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert by Bob The Drag Queen

Stag Dance by Torrey Peters

The Bones Beneath My Skin by TJ Klune

When the Harvest Comes by Denne Michele Norris

Voices of Change: Pride Month Memoirs and Autobiographies

There's power in hearing someone's story directly from their own voice, especially when it comes to queer individuals who have navigated personal struggles, celebrated triumphs, and shaped the world we live in today. Memoirs and autobiographies offer an intimate look at the diverse experiences within the LGBTQ+ community, helping readers understand that challenges and victories that have paved the way for greater acceptance. These accounts not only connect readers with history, but also highlight the people who are actively shaping society right now, giving their journeys the recognition they deserve.

Accidentally on Purpose by Kristen Kish 

Marsha: The Joy and Defiance of Marsha P. Johnson by Tourmaline

So Gay for You: Friendship, Found Family, and the Show That Started It All by Kate Moennig and Leisha Hailey

Maybe This Will Save Me: A Memoir of Art, Addiction and Transformation by Tommy Dorfman

So Many Stars: An Oral History of Trans, Nonbinary, Genderqueer, and Two-Spirit People of Color by Caro De Robertis

Paper Doll: Notes from a Late Bloomer by Dylan Mulvaney

Reading LGBTQ+ books shouldn't just be a Pride Month activity, it's important to keep these voices on the shelves all year round! Queer characters and experiences are just as vital to understanding the world as any other, and they deserve a space in every classroom, library, and campus. If any of these titles resonated with you, feel free to reach out for a quote and connect with one of our dedicated account managers. Our BookPal book experts would also be happy to send more recommendations for books that are shaping classrooms every day and creating spaces for every student to see themselves.

Happy Pride Month! We hope the stories we share today light the way for a more inclusive tomorrow.