10,000 Dresses

by Marcus Ewert

Every night, Bailey dreams about magical dresses: dresses made of crystals and rainbows, dresses made of flowers, dresses made of windows. . .  This gorgeous picture book—a modern fairy tale about becoming the person you feel you are inside—will delight people of all ages.

The Pants Project

by Cat Clarke

"My name is Liv (Not Olivia)...I'm not technically a girl. I'm Transgender. Which is a bit like being a transformer. Only not quite as cool because I probably won't get to save the world one day." Liv knows he was always meant to be a boy, but with his new school's terrible dress code, he can't even wear pants. Only skirts. Operation: Pants Project begins! The only way for Liv to get what he wants is to go after it himself. But to Liv, this isn't just a mission to change the policy-it's a mission to change his life. And that's a pretty big deal.

A Possibility of Whales

by Karen Rivers

The heartfelt story of a girl who-thanks to her friends, her famous single dad, and an unexpected encounter with a whale-learns the true meaning of family. Twelve-year-old Natalia Rose Baleine Gallagher loves possibilities: the possibility that she'll see whales on the beach near her new home, the possibility that the transgender boy she just met will become her new best friend, the possibility that the paparazzi hounding her celebrity father won't force them to move again. Most of all, Nat dreams of the possibility that her faraway mother misses her, loves her, and is just waiting for Nat to find her. 

The Adventures of Tina and Jordan

by Jessica Lam

Children are unique and special in their own ways. This story celebrates our differences and new friendships. Tina is a young girl who is not like the other girls - she doesn't like to wear the clothes her Mommy puts her in. And Jordan is not like the other boys - because inside he feels like a girl. Based on the real-life experiences of children who have felt or feel the same, this is the amazing tale of two new friends, Tina & Jordan, as they start new adventures together.

One in Every Crowd

By Ivan E. Coyote

Lesbian storyteller Ivan E. Coyote's first book for queer youth includes brand new stories and others culled from previous collections, inspired by the tragic increase in the number of teen suicides resulting from bullying. Funny, inspiring, and full of heart, these stories are about embracing and celebrating difference and feeling comfortable in one's own skin, no matter what the circumstance.

Willow and the Wedding

By Denese Brennen-Nelson

Willow is back! This time she's so excited to be the flower girl for her favorite uncle and his boyfriend's wedding. Willow just can't wait to help make it perfect. The beach ceremony! The dinner! The dessert! The dancing! But there's just one hiccup. Uncle Ash refuses to dance these days. A wedding with no dancing?! Willow makes it her mission to remind him of the joy he found in dancing years ago.

Keeping Her Secret

By Sarah Nicolas

The last person Riya Johnson expected to run into at her new summer camp is Courtney Chastain-her childhood best friend and the girl who broke her heart after a secret, mind-blowing, life-altering kiss. She definitely didn't expect to be sharing a bunk bed with her for four long weeks.  Neither girl can stop thinking about the other...but that doesn't mean they can give up past hurts and take a chance on a future together.

Saturday with Hitchcock

By Ellen Wittlinger

Twelve-year-old movie-loving Maisie is in need of a distraction from her current romantic dilemma when her Uncle Walt comes to stay with her family after being hurt on the set of the movie he's filming in Hollywood. Maisie's best friend, Cyrus, has been hanging out a lot with Gary Hackett, whose last-name sounds to Maisie like a cat barfing up a hairball. When it seems as if Hackett might like Maisie romantically, she's none too pleased, and Cyrus is even less impressed. Heading to the local independent theater on Saturdays to see old movies helps Maisie stay grounded as she struggles with growing up, family tensions, a grandma who seems to be losing her memory, and a love triangle she never expected.

Alan Cole is Not a Coward

By Eric Bell

Perfect for fans of Tim Federle and Gary Schmidt, this is a hilarious and poignant tale about the trials of middle school when you're coming of age-and coming out.

Alan Cole can't stand up to his cruel brother, Nathan. He can't escape the wrath of his demanding father, who thinks he's about as exceptional as a goldfish. And-scariest of all-he can't let the cute boy across the cafeteria know he has a crush on him.

The Best at It

By Maulik Pancholy

From award-winning actor Maulik Pancholy comes a hilarious and heartfelt middle grade debut about a gay Indian American boy coming into his own. Perfect for fans of Tim Federle's Nate series.

Love Is Love

By Michael Genhart

It's love that makes a family. When a boy confides in his friend about bullies saying he doesn't have a real family, he discovers that his friend's parents-a mom and a dad-and his two dads are actually very much alike.  This sweet and straightforward story shows that gay families and straight families and everything in between are all different kinds of normal. What makes a family real is the love that is shared.

My Mixed-Up Berry Blue Summer

by Jennifer Gennari

Twelve-year-old June Farrell is sure of one thing—she’s great at making pies—and she plans to prove it by winning a blue ribbon in the Champlain Valley Fair pie competition. But a backlash against Vermont’s civil union law threatens her family’s security and their business. Even when faced with bullying, June won’t give up on winning the blue ribbon; more importantly, she won’t give up on her family.

The Other Boy

By M.G. Hennessey

A beautifully heartfelt story about one boy's journey toward acceptance. Twelve-year-old Shane Woods is just a regular boy. But Shane is keeping something private, something that might make a difference to his friends and teammates, even his best friend, Josh. And when a classmate threatens to reveal his secret, Shane's whole world comes crashing down. It will take a lot of courage for Shane to ignore the hate and show the world that he's still the same boy he was before. And in the end, those who stand beside him may surprise everyone, including Shane.

Hazel’s Theory of Evolution

By Lisa Jenn Bigalow

Hazel knows a lot about the world. That's because when she's not hanging with her best friend, taking care of her dog, or helping care for the goats on her family's farm, she loves reading through dusty encyclopedias.  But even Hazel doesn't have answers for the questions awaiting her as she enters eighth grade. What if no one at her new school gets her, and she doesn't make any friends? What's going to happen to one of her moms, who's pregnant again after having two miscarriages? As Hazel struggles to cope, she'll come to realize that sometimes you have to look within yourself-instead of the pages of a book-to find the answer to life's most important questions.

Playing Wicked

By Alex R. Kahler

Dante loves playing make believe. When he's with his friends, he's the wizened wizard or regal ruler. But when he's by himself, Dante would rather be the wicked queen. Then, one day, his dress and makeup are just so perfect that he braves the outdoors, delighting in his playful evilness. Will Dante find someone to play the hero to his villain?

The Boy and the Bindi

By Vivek Shraya

In this beautiful children's picture book by Vivek Shraya, author of the acclaimed God Loves Hair, a five-year-old South Asian boy becomes fascinated with his mother's bindi, the red dot commonly worn by Hindu women to indicate the point at which creation begins, and wishes to have one of his own. Rather than chastise her son, she agrees to it, and 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.

God Loves Hair

By Vivek Shraya

I am often mistaken for a girl. Not just because I like to wear dresses or makeup. I don't mind. My parents are from India and here is not quite home. School isn't always safe and neither is my body.  Told with the poignant insight and honesty that only the voice of a young mind can convey, God Loves Hair is a moving and ultimately joyous portrait of youth that celebrates diversity in all shapes, sizes, and colors. A Lambda Literary Award finalist in the category of children's books.

Eustace and Clyde

By Marina Aizen

Eustace and Clyde couldn't be more different. Eustace likes to laze around. Clyde likes adventure. But they care about each other deeply. So when their home in the tree becomes too loud and crowded, the koalas take off to find a place of their own. None of the new homes Eustace and Clyde find are quite right. They're too far away, or too cold (though the koalas have great hats!), or too . . . quiet. Maybe what Eustace and Clyde thought they wanted was what they actually had: peace and acceptance.

Dodger Boy

By Sarah Ellis

In 1970 Vancouver, thirteen-year-old Charlotte and her best friend, Dawn, are keen to avoid the pitfalls of adolescence. But life becomes more complicated when the girls meet a Texan draft dodger who comes to live with Charlotte's Quaker family. Tom Ed expands Charlotte's horizons as they discuss everything from war to civil disobedience to women's liberation. Charlotte finds it harder and harder to stick to her unteen philosophy, and to see eye to eye with Dawn.