• General Recommendations
  • Staff-Created List

Read with Pride

LGBTQ+ books for youth

Santa Monica Public Library

30 items

  • From the time she was two years old, Jazz knew that she had a girl's brain in a boy's body. She loved pink and dressing up as a mermaid and didn't feel like herself in boys' clothing. **Recommended for PreK-Gr2**
    eBookNew York, New York : Dial Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA) LLC, [2014] — eBook Libby
  • This simple, lyrical story celebrates a Sunday morning at an inclusive church that embraces all people regardless of age, class, race, gender identity, and sexual orientation. All are welcome at the church for all! ** Recommended for ages…
    eBook[United States] : Weigl Publishers Inc., 2019. — eBook hoopla
  • A five-year-old South Asian boy becomes fascinated by his mother's bindi; she teaches him about its cultural significance, allowing the boy to discover the magic of the bindi, which in turn gives him permission to be more fully himself.…
    eBook[United States] : Arsenal Pulp Press, 2016. — eBook hoopla
  • This playful picture book offers a quirky twist on a classic nursery rhyme by illustrating all of the ways to "work it". **Recommended for ages 4-8**
    eBook[New York] : Running Press Kids, 2020. — eBook Libby
  • A jubilant picture of self-love and a radiant celebration of individuality. **Recommended for PreK - Gr2**
    eBookSomerville, Massachusetts : Candlewick Press, [2018] — eBook Libby
  • The profound message of this delightful book is you are free to be whoever you choose to be; you'll always be loved. **Recommended for toddlers & prek**
    eBook[United States] : Orca Book Publishers, 2019. — eBook hoopla
  • Stella has two dads and no one to invite to the Mother's Day celebration. Fortunately, Stella finds a unique solution to her party problem in this sweet story about love, acceptance, and the true meaning of family. **Recommended for K-Gr2**
    eBookSan Francisco, California : Chronicle Books, [2015] — eBook Libby
  • In 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. **Recommended for PreK - Gr2**
    eBookWashington, DC : Magination Press, [2014] — eBook Libby
  • With the help of her best friend, George comes up with a plan to land the lead in the school play so everyone can know who she is, once and for all. Audio also available on Hoopla. **Recommended for ages 8-12**
    eBookNew York : Scholastic Press, [2015] — eBook Libby
  • Funny, charming, and incredibly touching, this is a story about friendship, family, and the courage it takes to live your truth. **Recommended for ages 8-12**
    Streaming Audiobook[United States] : Balzer + Bray, 2019. — eAudiobook hoopla
  • How is Nate supposed to make his Broadway dreams come true when he’s stuck in Jankburg, Pennsylvania, where no one (except his best pal Libby) appreciates a good show tune? **Recommended for ages 8-12**
    Downloadable Audiobook[New York] : Simon & Schuster Audio, 2013. — eAudiobook Libby
  • Lily Jo McGrother, born Timothy McGrother, is a girl. But being a girl is not so easy when you look like a boy. Audiobook also available on Overdrive/Libby. **Recommended for ages 10 & up**
    eBookNew York : Delacorte Press, c2016. — eBook Libby
  • In Magnus’s second adventure, Rick Riordan introduces readers to Alex Fierro, a gender fluid teen who has “startling eyes, an impressive sweater-vest, and a tendency to hit people” (54). Also available on Overdrive/Libby and as an…
    eBook[United States] : Disney Book Group : Made available through hoopla, 2016. — eBook hoopla
  • When a tornado rips through town, twelve-year-old Ivy Aberdeen's house is destroyed and her notebook filled with secret drawings has gone missing. **Recommended for ages 8-12**
    eBookNew York : Little, Brown and Company, 2018. — eBook Libby
  • When Sunny St. James receives a new heart, she decides to set off on a "New Life Plan". **Recommended for ages 8-12**
    eBookNew York, NY : Little, Brown and Company, 2019. — eBook Libby
  • When Dad tells Bea that he and his boyfriend, Jesse, are getting married, Bea is thrilled. Bea loves Jesse, and when he and Dad get married, she'll finally (finally!) have what she's always wanted--a sister. **Recommended for ages 8-12**
    Downloadable Audiobook[New York] : Listening Library (Audio), 2020. — eAudiobook Libby
  • Callie loves theater. And while she would totally try out for her middle school's production of Moon over Mississippi, she can't really sing. **Recommended for ages 10-14**
    eBookNew York : Graphix/Scholastic, [2012] — eBook Libby
  • Peasprout Chen

    Battle of Champions

    Lien, Henry,
    Peasprout Chen strives to reclaim her place as a champion of wu liu, the sport of martial arts figure skating. But, with the new year comes new competition, and Peasprout’s dreams are thwarted by an impressive transfer student.…
    eBookNew York : Henry Holt and Company, 2019. — eBook Libby
  • The start of the school year is not going as the Fletcher brothers hoped. Each boy finds his plans for success veering off in unexpected and sometimes disastrous directions. Audiobook also available on Overdrive/Hoopla **Recommended for…
    eBookNew York [New York] : Delacorte Press, [2014] — eBook Libby
  • Newbery Medalist Richard Peck tells a story of small-town life, gay marriage, and everyday heroes in this novel for fans of Gary Schmidt and Jack Gantos. Also available as an audiobook. **Recommended for ages 9-12**
    eBookNew York, NY : Dial Books, 2016. — eBook Libby