This diverse list of titles includes prose novels, novels in verse, and graphic novels. It has solid middle grade books as well as selections more suited for upper middle grade or younger YA tastes. Share this list for Pride Month and throughout the year.

Hearts Still Beating by Brooke Archer. Putnam. ISBN 9780593698327. 
Gr 7 Up–In this distinctive new take on the zombie apocalypse genre, best friends Mara and Aurora, who are in the middle of a budding romance, are separated when the Letalis Tichnosis virus ends the world as they know it. Their families take different paths, reuniting them years after their first and only kiss. VERDICT A riveting, unique, and delightfully queer adventure. Recommended for all libraries.

Messy Perfect by Tanya Boteju. ­HarperCollins/Quill Tree. ISBN 9780063358492. 
Gr 7 Up–Boteju’s latest queer coming-of-age story offers a vulnerable look into the intersection of identity and religion. Cassie Perera, a straight-A student and textbook overachiever, has a secret: she’s a lesbian. She’s known since she outed her childhood best friend, Ben, and threw him under the bus to hide her own identity. And now that Ben has moved back? She must find a way to make it up to him and repair their friendship. VERDICT Cassie’s eventual confrontation with the various parts of her life and the impact of her decisions make this book the perfect addition to any well-rounded YA collection.

 Ollie In Between by Jess Callans. Feiwel & Friends. ISBN 9781250331342. 
Gr 6 Up–Twelve-year-old Ollie, who is Persian and white, has a health class assignment: write an essay on what becoming a woman means. But Ollie isn’t even sure they want to be a woman, let alone write an essay dissecting their journey toward it. As Ollie navigates this middle school turbulence, they realize they don’t have to blossom into womanhood; they can just be Ollie, even if that Ollie defies the status quo. VERDICT A vital read that celebrates the power of true authenticity, this is a must-buy for middle school collections.

The Queen Bees of Tybee ­County by Kyle Casey Chu. HarperCollins/Quill Tree. ISBN 9780063326958. 
Gr 6 Up–Sent to spend the summer with estranged Grandma Claudia in small town Heritage, GA, Chinese American Derrick Chan is certain that summer will be dull. But then Derrick meets Ro and Giles, two friends with whom he feels like he can really be himself, even painting his toenails and enjoying makeup. VERDICT An important book for middle school shelves, and for any reader seeking a positive role model demonstrating courage and strength in the face of challenging situations—even when it’s family who might pose the biggest obstacle.

Full Shift by Jennifer Dugan. illus. by Kit Seaton. Putnam. ISBN 9780593529843. 
Gr 7 Up–It’s not easy to be a werewolf or a queer teenage girl, and if she can’t control her feelings and abilities, she’ll fall further behind the pack. When Tessa’s crush Maddie invites her to hang out in her bedroom, Tessa anticipates the big reveal, thinking that Maddie is also a supernatural being. But as Tessa shifts, Maddie comes out of the closet as queer. Tessa has exposed her family’s secret to a human and must drive a wedge between herself and Maddie to protect the pack. VERDICT Part fast-paced adventure, part poignant coming-of-age romance, Full Shift is recommended for all teen collections and pairs well with Maggie Tokuda-Hall and Lisa Sterle’s Squad.

 Roll for Love by M.K England. Running Pr. ISBN 9780762488179. 
Gr 7 Up–Harper’s senior year is starting out rough. But when Harper runs into Ollie, the neighbor girl she had a crush on when they were younger, who is gorgeous, bi, and has a group of queer Dungeons & Dragons–playing friends who want to use Harper’s barn for sessions, things start to look up. VERDICT This feel-good, queer coming-of-age story will circulate well in libraries with diverse young fantasy and Dungeons & Dragons fans.

13 Ways to Say Goodbye by Kate Fussner. HarperCollins. ISBN 9780063256989. 
Gr 4-7–Nina is visiting her aunt in Paris solo for the first time. Her older sister Lily died a year earlier, and Nina is determined to finish the “13 Before 13” list of things her sister wanted to accomplish before her 13th birthday. Middle grade readers who yearn to travel will appreciate the taste of a Parisian vacation, while those pondering the intricacies of a first crush will fall for Nina’s blushing attraction to her assigned friend and guide, Sylvia. VERDICT Recommended for middle grade collections where verse novels are popular.

My So-Called Family by Gia Gordon. Farrar. ISBN 9780374392055. 
Gr 5 Up–Ash has no one she can trust. In her first week of middle school, she is relentlessly bullied because of her gender expression, and she knows she will find no comfort at home. Her foster placement with Gladys was tolerable before Gladys’s adult son, Jordan, moved into their tiny home along with his girlfriend and their baby. Now Ash is constantly exhausted from handling the baby’s nighttime care while the thin wall of their bedroom fails to hide the sounds of Jordan abusing his girlfriend. VERDICT An affecting story of persistent trauma that leaves the door open for eventual healing.

[Read: 15 Graphic Novels to Celebrate Pride This Month and Year-Round]

Carousel Summer by Kathleen Gros. illus. by author. HarperCollins/Quill Tree. ISBN 9780063057692. 
Gr 5-8–Twelve-year-old Lucy faces a long, uneventful summer in her small town. Lucy’s dull routine shifts when artist Ray, who is openly gay, and her effortlessly cool daughter Anaïs, arrive to restore an old carousel for the town’s 150th anniversary. Lucy and Anaïs form an instant bond. As their friendship deepens, the girls explore whether their connection is more than platonic. VERDICT Perfect for fans of Kayla Miller, this thoughtful graphic novel is a must-have for libraries serving upper elementary and middle school readers.

 How It All Ends by Emma Hunsinger. illus. by author. Greenwillow. ISBN 9780063158153. 
Gr 4-9–Tara wasn’t supposed to be in ninth grade. She had one more glorious year of middle school left, where life was simple. When she finds out that her academic performance landed her in high school a year early, she fears that she is too much of a “baby” to survive. That is, until she meets Libby. Is she a best friend? Is she something more? Suddenly high school doesn’t seem so bad. VERDICT Those familiar with Hunsinger’s moving New Yorker comic story “How to Draw a Horse” will be thrilled with this beautiful, heartfelt, longer work. A must-have for any library serving middle and high school students.

Going Overboard by Caroline Huntoon. Feiwel & Friends. ISBN 9781250347251. 
Gr 5 Up–Nonbinary seventh grader Piper Shapiro and zir mother Noura are an engaging duo who love and support each other. Then zir mother introduces zem to Gwinny—her girlfriend—and Piper fears they might be getting serious. There’s only one thing to do: break up the lovely couple before they walk down the aisle. VERDICT A charming, timely novel about growth and change; recommended for most middle school collections.

Linus and Etta Could Use a Win by Caroline Huntoon. ISBN 9781250897466. 
Gr 6 Up–Linus, who recently came out as trans, hopes to quietly start his school year at a new middle school. However, a chance collision with fellow eighth grader Etta on the way to his first class makes that unlikely. Etta's ex-best friend Marigold bets Etta she can get anyone elected president of the student council—including Linus. VERDICT The message of trans acceptance is front and center in this realistic fiction title; Huntoon creates meaningful and authentic conversations around topics important to trans youth and allies, while also maintaining a lighter tone that is more accessible for the middle school reader. Recommended.

 Mallory in Full Color by Elisa Stone Leahy. HarperCollins/Quill Tree. ISBN 9780063255531. 
Gr 5 Up–A heartfelt novel about Mallory, a tween comic illustrator struggling to discover her identity. As Mallory navigates her personal challenges, she volunteers at her local library’s Drag Queen Storytime, offering her a fresh perspective on acceptance and identity. VERDICT Overall, this novel is a queer-friendly, heartwarming ­exploration of identity, communication, and acceptance, making it a must-read for young readers seeking an ­authentic and relatable story.

The Truth About Triangles by Michael Leali. HarperCollins. ISBN 9780063337367. 
Gr 4-7–Twelve-year-old Luca works in his Italian American family’s third-generation Chicago pizzeria. With his parents separating, the business failing, and a feeling that he’s the only one who can save it all, Luca submits an application for Mamma Gianna’s to be featured on Pizza Perfect starring his chef-idol, Travis Parker. At the same time, Luca also has to navigate the intersection of a long-term friendship with June and a budding maybe-more-than-friendship with Will. VERDICT An inspiring, culinary treat. Recommended for medium to large collections and any shelf where there are aspiring foodies in the audience.

Make My Wish Come True by Rachael Lippincott & Alyson Derrick. S. & S. ISBN 9781665937566. 
Gr 7 Up–In order to land the role of her dreams, Arden James must shed her hard-partying starlet persona and sell herself as a small-town girl through a wholesome winter romance with her “childhood sweetheart”—to be covered by Cosmopolitan, of course. VERDICT Despite the disparity in quality between the two alternating perspectives of this book, teens who enjoy lighthearted queer love stories by authors like Jason June, Mason Deaver, and Jennifer Dugan will enjoy this candy cane–sweet holiday romance.

Between the Pipes by Albert McLeod with Elaine Mordoch and Sonya Ballantyne. illus. by Alice RL. letters by Kielamel Sibal. Highwater. ISBN 9781774921043. 
Gr 7 Up–Indigenous teen Chase is constantly confronted with the toxic masculinity and homophobia of his classmates. After his patient and supportive grandmother connects him with a Two-Spirit Elder, Eddi, and a Two-Spirit filmmaker, Dot, Chase gains the confidence and courage he needs to come out as gay and claim his identity on and off the hockey rink. VERDICT Hockey and identity collide in this affirming graphic novel about recognizing and valuing one’s authentic self.

 Winnie Nash Is Not Your Sunshine by Nicole Melleby. Algonquin. ISBN 9781643753133. 
Gr 3-7–No one asked Winnie, 12, but she’s spending the summer with her grandma while her parents work. Winnie’s parents have told her not to tell her grandma that she’s gay, which she’s known since she was four. Being sent away and forced into the closet upsets Winnie, but she acquiesces because she wants her mom to be happy. VERDICT It’s not a perfect summer at the beach, but Winnie’s feelings are perfectly real, and the resolution is satisfying and hopeful. Highly recommended.

[Read: 9 Biographies and Memoirs to Inspire Readers for Pride Month and Throughout the Year]

Family Week by Sarah Moon. Knopf. ISBN 9780593899601. 
Gr 3-7–Set against the backdrop of an annual queer reunion in Provincetown, RI, the story follows four 13-year-olds—Mac, Milo, Lina, and Avery—who reunite for traditions, emotions, and revelations. The novel excels at portraying the emotional weight of being seen only as who you were, not who you are becoming. VERDICT An engaging, introspective read that balances humor with heartfelt emotion, capturing the joy, pain, and uncertainty of adolescence in a way that will resonate with young readers navigating their own paths.

Renegade Girls: A Queer Tale of ­Romance and Rabble-Rousing by Nora Neus. illus. by Julie Robine. Little, Brown Ink. ISBN 9780316439831. 
Gr 6 Up–This graphic novel takes 21st century readers into a bygone era, with nods to stunt girl reporters, high society’s pressures on its young, the social and practical roles domestic servants could provide, and the dangers of sweatshop work. Nell is the gay 17-year-old protagonist of this robust tale. A thread of romance gets stirred into an ambitious mix of realism and idealism. VERDICT This fast-paced, tightly woven graphic novel may lack historically accurate details, but proves a rewarding light read that may awaken questions of social justice.

Splinter & Ash by Marieke Nijkamp. Greenwillow. ISBN 9780063326262. 
Gr 4-7–Eleven-year-old Princess Adelisa (Ash) has returned to Kestrel City after six years living with relatives, only to find she is an outsider. A chance meeting at an evening party brings Ash and Splinter together. Splinter describes herself as neither a boy nor a girl and uses she/her pronouns. VERDICT Encourage readers to push through early chapters for a character-driven fantasy series opener with tons of adventure. Recommended for most collections, especially those serving fans of Jennifer Nielsen or Kate O’Hearn.

Puzzleheart by Jenn Reese. Holt. ISBN 9781250783462. 
Gr 4-7–Twelve-year-old Perigee has a plot to restore their dad’s enthusiasm for life, which includes reuniting him with his mother after many years of estrangement. Their grandparents’ mansion was meant to be an Escape Room–themed bed and breakfast, but it was never completed after their grandfather’s fatal car accident. In alternating chapters, Perigee and the House narrate. Things spiral out of control as the House revolts, determined not to reveal its secrets. VERDICT A wily 12-year-old, painful family secrets, and an eerie possessed house—this twisty mystery is great for genre fans.

Asking for a Friend by Ronnie Riley. Scholastic. ISBN 9781339027647. 
Gr 3-7–Eden Jones is trying to make it at a new school after a heartbreaking loss of friendship at their previous one. Not wanting to disappoint their mother, Eden lies about having friends. When their mother announces that she will host the friends at their upcoming 13th birthday party, Eden is determined to make this happen by becoming actual friends with the students they’ve told their mother about. VERDICT Ultimately this sweet novel reads like an old-school afternoon TV special. It’s realistic, if a bit cheesy, light entertainment with an obvious and hopeful message.

The Summer Love Strategy by Ray Stoeve. Abrams/Amulet. ISBN 9781419764967. 
Gr 7 Up–Hayley and Talia have been friends since birth—born on the same day, in the same hospital. Of course they are destined to go through life’s milestones together, like when Hayley tells her family she is gay and Talia tells her family she is trans. Now in high school, they want to embark on another summer adventure—helping each other find a romantic partner. VERDICT Teens searching for stories exploring nuanced friendships will love the easy flow of dialogue, the adventures, the acceptance, and the sweet “friends to girlfriends” romance.

 Navigating with You by Jeremy Whitley. illus. by Cassio Ribeiro. Mad Cave Studios/Maverick. ISBN 9781952303609. 
Gr 6 Up–Day one at a new school brings an unexpected surprise for Neesha: a friend with a shared interest in the manga series. Through their authentic discussions about manga and their pasts, their budding feelings grow for each other as they confront their insecurities. VERDICT This healing slice-of-life graphic novel lights a bright path for LGBTQIA+ romance plots by including characters with intersectional experiences. A must-have for all collections.

Tales from Beyond the Rainbow: Ten LGBTQ+ Fairy Tales Proudly Reclaimed. adapt. by Pete Jordi Wood. Penguin Workshop. ISBN 9780593889725. 
Gr 4-8–This anthology spotlights 10 LGBTQIA+ fairy tales from cultures around the globe dating back to written forms in the 18th century and are likely even older in the oral tradition. The tales are short, accessible, and delightfully celebratory, especially for gay and transgender folks. VERDICT A significant and very sweet collection. Recommended where folklore and short stories are popular.