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This scaled-down board book version of a 2018 picture book is a wonderful first introduction for littles to the concept that colors are not gendered — a concept that itself encourages early exploration of likes and dislikes without paying mind to prescribed gender norms. I’ll be getting this book for my best friend’s kiddo, whose favorite things are trucks and tutus. — Madeline

Sharice’s Big Voice tells the life story of Sharice Davids, one of the first Native American women elected to Congress and the first LGBTQ+ congressperson to represent Kansas. Sharice learned at a young age to listen carefully to people around her to learn how to best help them, then found her journey as a White House fellow under Barack Obama and then on to her win for Congress in 2019. Joshua Mangeshing Pawis-Steckley's woodland art-inspired illustrations pair perfectly with this amazing autobiography. — Kim

When Ari’s Uncle Lior comes to visit, they talk about words to describe themselves. Uncle Lior’s words are “playful,” “collector,” “gardener,” and “they/them.” When Ari sees others throughout their day, their words are “mechanic,” “polite,” “vegetarian,” and “she/her,” “artistic,” “sweet,” “kind,” and “ze/zir.” Ari has been trying to discover their own words and with careful thought decides that the words “impatient,” “excited,” “colorful,” and “they/them” feel just right this day! A great inspiration for kids ages five and up to discover their own pronouns. — Kim

The world was captivated by this real-life story of Danny, who found an abandoned newborn baby on his way out of a NYC subway station in August 2000. After authorities made sure the baby was okay, the judge overseeing the baby’s case asked Danny and his partner Peter (the author) if they would like to adopt this sweet baby boy together and they began preparing their home for a newborn. Twelve years later, the same judge performed Peter and Danny’s wedding ceremony and they raised their son to adulthood. This is a sweet and unique story of love and family. — Kim

Dalia’s a roller coaster fanatic who lives vicariously through YouTube. With her father getting remarried, she spots her chance: she (and her new friend Rani) can join her stepsister-to-be’s summer road trip and finally ride a coaster for real. But as she and Rani get closer, Dalia finds herself on her first emotional roller coaster too. This sweet and funny story of friendship, family, and first love is a perfect summer read. — Madeline

It’s 1885 and Mei lives in California with her father, a cook in a logging camp. Between doing chores to help run the camp and telling tales to the children about the myths of Auntie Po, Mei barely has enough time to spend with Bee, dreaming of their future together and dancing in the woods. This wonderful graphic novel blends magical realism, historical fiction, and a sweet romance perfect for all ages. — Kim

Spin With Me
by Ami Polonsky

Essie’s less than thrilled to move to a new town — until she meets Ollie, and sparks fly. Ollie’s nonbinary, and while they’re happy with their gender identity, they struggle with feeling reduced to a label. Essie, who finds comfort in labels, wrestles with what her attraction to Ollie means about her own. This thoughtful, bright read is perfect for kids who are figuring out their own identities and orientations. — Madeline

Stonewall Honor recipient and a current Oregon Battle of the Books read! Starting middle school can be tough; it’s especially hard when you’re questioning your sexuality, figuring out your neurodivergence, and dealing with bullies. Rahul latches onto his grandfather, Bhai’s, advice: “Find one thing you’re really good at and become the BEST at it.” But is being the best really possible? Or worth focusing on? — Madeline

I was absolutely enthralled from the first line of this incredible book (“There shouldn’t be any monsters left in Lucille.”) to the last. Emezi’s prose and premise are somehow both dreamlike and realer than real, and illuminate the monsters and angels of our time like only great fiction can. This YA debut, told from the perspective of curious, big-hearted trans girl Jam, deserved every award and piece of praise it earned. I cannot recommend it enough. — Madeline

Juliet Milagros Palante leaves the Bronx and heads to Portland, OR, after coming out to her family. In Portland, she interns for the author of her favorite book and navigates microaggressions in predominantly white Portland. Celia Moscote's illustrations bring to life these beloved characters in Juliet’s world in this graphic novel version of a longtime Powell’s bookseller favorite. — Kim

In this gorgeous debut from Portland local Aidan Thomas, Yadriel sets out to prove himself a brujo and force his family to acknowledge his true gender. But when his summoning spell goes awry, he ends up with the wrong ghost — local bad boy Julian Diaz — and a laundry list of unfinished business. If you’re a fan of paranormal love stories or authentic looks at Latinx culture, you won’t want to miss this one! — Madeline

The series follows Nick and Charlie, two teens who discover love and romance in a British grammar school. In this third installment, Nick and Charlie are official boyfriends and work on telling their friends and families, which is hard for Nick since he hasn’t come out to his mom. Coming out to their classmates gets even more challenging during a class trip to Paris, but their love grows strong in this charming and compelling teen graphic novel. — Kim

Felix has two goals for his summer arts program: up his chances at getting into Brown, and fall in love. But the program starts with an anonymous hate crime — someone has posted pictures of Felix before he transitioned, with his deadname. Determined to have his revenge, Felix embarks on an anonymous scheme of his own. He doesn’t expect that to be the thing that sets him on the road to love — from others, and from himself.
— Madeline

Winner of the American Library Association Stonewall Award for 2020 and out in paperback this year, The Black Flamingo follows Michael, a half-Greek-Cypriot and half-Jamaican teen living in London and navigating his cultural as well as his sexual identity. As Michael attends university, he discovers the support of a local drag society and reinvents himself as Black Flamingo in this beautifully written novel-in-verse for teens and up.
— Kim

Our conception of gender is not an essential truth of life, but a set of societal rules that we use to determine how someone “should” behave. Indian American artist-activist Vaid-Menon does an incisive job illustrating the harm done by the gender binary, and how we punish those who do not conform to it (particularly people of color) in this thought-provoking quick read from the Pocket Change Collective. — Madeline