Queer History for Kids

Introductions to learning about LGBTQ+ people throughout history. This list has books appropriate for elementary school children through teens.
Updated September 19, 2022
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This day in June
Pitman, Gayle E.
Paper Book
"The pride primer." --The New Yorker An excellent tool for teaching respect, acceptance, and understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. This day in June.... Parade starts soon....  Rainbow arches.... Joyful...
Pride the story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag
Sanders, Rob, 1958-
Paper Book
JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD SELECTION . Celebrate Pride and it's iconic rainbow flag--a symbol of inclusion and acceptance around the world-- with the very first picture book to tell its remarkable and inspiring history! "Pride is a beacon of (technicolor) light." --Entertainment Weekly<...
Queer there and everywhere 23 people who changed the world
Prager, Sarah, 1986-
Paper Book
World history has been made by countless lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals--and you've never heard of many of them. Queer author and activist Sarah Prager delves deep into the lives of 23 people who fought, created, and loved on their own...
Stonewall breaking out in the fight for gay rights
Bausum, Ann.
Paper Book
That's the Stonewall. The Stonewall Inn. Pay attention. History walks through that door. In 1969 being gay in the United States was a criminal offense. It meant living a closeted life or surviving on the fringes of society. People went to...
Queer history of the United States for young people
Bronski, Michael
Paper Book
Named one of the Best Nonfiction Books of 2019 by School Library Journal Queer history didn't start with Stonewall. This book explores how LGBTQ people have always been a part of our national identity, contributing to the country and culture for over 400 years.
Stonewall Riots Coming Out in the Streets
Pitman, Gayle E.
Paper Book
This book is about the Stonewall Riots, a series of spontaneous, often violent demonstrations by members of the gay (LGBTQ+) community in reaction to a police raid that took place in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan,...
Book of pride LGBTQ heroes who changed the world
Funk, Mason
Paper Book
THE BOOK OF PRIDE captures the true story of the gay rights movement from the 1960s to the present, through richly detailed, stunning interviews with the leaders, activists, and ordinary people who witnessed the movement and made it happen. These individuals fought...
Gay & lesbian history for kids the century long struggle for LGBT rights with 21 activities
Pohlen, Jerome.
Paper Book
2016 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People List Lambda Literary Award Finalist On the Rainbow Book List  Who transformed George Washington's demoralized troops at Valley Forge into a fighting force that defeated...
RAINBOW REVOLUTIONARIES FIFTY LGBTQ+ PEOPLE WHO MADE HISTORY
PRAGER, SARAH.
Paper Book
One of Time Out's "LGBTQ+ books for kids to read during Pride Month," this groundbreaking, pop-culture-infused illustrated biography collection takes readers on an eye-opening journey through the lives of fifty influential queer figures who have made a mark on every century of...
Queer heroes meet 52 LGBTQ heroes from past & present!
Sicardi, Arabelle
Paper Book
What Was Stonewall?
Nico Medina
Ebook
How did a spontaneous protest outside of a New York City bar fifty years ago spark a social movement across America? Find out about the history of LGBTQ rights in this Who HQ title. In the early-morning hours of June 28, 1969, police arrived at the Stonewall Inn's doors and...
Trouble maker for justice the story of Bayard Rustin the man behind the march on Washington
Houtman, Jacqueline
Paper Book
Chosen a Best Children's Book of the Year by the Bank Street Center! Voted a Best Book of the Year by School Library Journal and Kirkus Reviews! A biography for younger readers about one of the most influential activists of our time, who was an early advocate for African Americans...
Were i not a girl the inspiring and true story of dr james barry
Robinson, Lisa.
Paper Book
This unique picture book biography tells the story of Dr. James Barry, born female, who lived as a man from age 18 to his death. Like other girls of her time, Margaret Bulkley didn't go to school. She wouldn't grow up to own property, be a soldier, a doctor, or hold any job other...
BE AMAZING A HISTORY OF PRIDE
NAPOLES, DESMOND.
Paper Book
In Be Amazing, drag kid Desmond is Amazing walks you through the history of the LGBTQ community, all while encouraging you to embrace your own uniqueness and ignore the haters. Desmond is amazing--and you are, too. Throughout history,...
Sylvia and Marsha start a revolution! the story of the trans women of color who made LGBTQ+ histor
Ellison, Joy Michael
Paper Book
"Someday girls like us will be able to wear whatever we want. People will call us by the names we choose. They'll respect that we are women. The cops will leave us alone and no one will go hungry." Sylvia and Marsha are closer than sisters. They are kind and brave and not...
Two grooms on a cake
Sanders, Rob, 1958-
Paper Book
As seen on The TODAY Show! "Sanders tells the tale in easy-to-understand language, sweet as the frosting on the cake. . . . As beautiful as it is informative about this little-known battle in the fight for equality." -Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
Stonewall riots making a stand for LGBTQ rights
Bongiovanni, Archie
Paper Book
Turn back the clock with History Comics! In this graphic novel, experience the Stonewall Riots firsthand and meet iconic activists like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. Three teenagers--Natalia, Jax, and Rashad--are magically transported from their modern lives to the...
People of pride : 25 great LGBTQ Americans
Clemesha, Chase.
Paper Book
What do Frank Ocean, Sally Ride, George Takei, and Sharice Davids all have in common? They're all proud LGBTQ Americans! Featuring people from a variety of occupations and backgrounds, this collection of 25 short biographies demonstrates the diversity, accomplishments, and pride within the American...
Rainbow revolutions : power, pride, and protest in the fight for queer rights
Lawson, Jamie
Paper Book
A book about the fight for queer rights with bold and beautiful illustrations by pop artist Eve Lloyd Knight. Around one o'clock in the morning on June 28, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York, sparking days of intense rioting. What happened at Stonewall...

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