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
This Stonewall Book Award winner is 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 marches! In a wildly whimsical, validating, and exuberant...
Pride : the story of Harvey Milk and the rainbow flag
Sanders, Rob
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
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...
A 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.
The Stonewall Riots : coming out in the streets
Pitman, Gayle E.
Paper Book
In The Stonewall Riots: Coming Out in the Streets, Gayle E. Pitman's "fresh storytelling brings emotion and depth to the history of a movement and the establishment that served as an epicenter for social change" (Publishers Weekly). A timely and...
The 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...
Rainbow revolutionaries : 50 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
Sicardi, Arabelle
Paper Book
* 2019 EUREKA! Honor Award * This beautiful, bold book celebrates the achievements of LGBTQ+ people through history and from around the world--featuring dynamic full-color portraits of a diverse selection of 53 inspirational role models accompanied by short biographies...
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
Desmond Is Amazing
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+ history
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 : the story of America's first gay marriage
Sanders, Rob
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
History comics. making a stand for LGBTQ rights / The Stonewall Riots
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...

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