LGBTQ Books for Preteens

Description
What queer books might appeal to tweens (suggested range: 9 thru 12 years) who either aren't ready for or aren't only interested in teen and adult books? Adding and downvoting books (with or without comments) is allowed, no maximum. (Tip: Struggling readers might get through four books of any type in a year with help; one avid reader with plenty of choices might each year devour far more than 40 books.) Add the list to your favorites for it to appear on your site profile. Please flag works that are clearly inappropriate for this list.
1
Both Can Be True
by Jules Machias
166 members
6 reviews
½ 3.7
2 Members
aspirit, ManWithAnAgenda
Explanations
aspirit: ALA Top 10 for Young Readers (2022) | features a dog rescue
2
Snapdragon
by Kat Leyh
700 members
44 reviews
½ 4.5
2 Members
aspirit, ManWithAnAgenda
Explanations
aspirit: Graphic novel
3
The Lotterys Plus One
by Emma Donoghue
332 members
22 reviews
½ 3.7
2 Members
aspirit, ManWithAnAgenda
4
Drama: A Graphic Novel
by Raina Telgemeier
3,892 members
135 reviews
3.9
2 Members
aspirit, ManWithAnAgenda
Explanations
aspirit: Graphic novel honoree of ALA Rainbow List | features theater
5
The Magic Fish: A Graphic Novel
by Trung Le Nguyen
945 members
50 reviews
½ 4.4
Member
ManWithAnAgenda
6
The Whispers
by Greg Howard
218 members
9 reviews
4.1
Member
aspirit
7
Prince & Knight
by Daniel Haack
433 members
20 reviews
½ 4.4
2 Members
aspirit, ManWithAnAgenda
Explanations
aspirit: Picture book honoree of ALA Rainbow List
8
Maiden & Princess
by Daniel Haack
131 members
8 reviews
3.9
2 Members
aspirit, ManWithAnAgenda
9
The Best at It
by Maulik Pancholy
280 members
18 reviews
4.1
2 Members
aspirit, ManWithAnAgenda
Explanations
aspirit: Realistic novel on ALA Rainbow Book List
10
Zenobia July
by Lisa Bunker
150 members
7 reviews
½ 3.7
2 Members
aspirit, ManWithAnAgenda
Explanations
aspirit: Realistic novel on ALA Rainbow Book List
11
The House You Pass on the Way
by Jacqueline Woodson
397 members
13 reviews
½ 3.5
Member
ManWithAnAgenda
12
The Accidental Adventures of India McAllister
by Charlotte Agell
51 members
3 reviews
3.2
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Honoree of ALA Rainbow List
13
Ana on the Edge
by A. J. Sass
174 members
8 reviews
4.1
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Honoree of ALA Rainbow List | features figure skating!
14
Better Nate Than Ever
by Tim Federle
725 members
50 reviews
4.1
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Honoree of ALA Rainbow List | features theater
15
Birdie and Me
by J. M. M. Nuanez
84 members
4 reviews
4.2
Member
aspirit
16
The Deepest Breath
by Meg Grehan
85 members
4 reviews
4
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Novel in verse; ALA Top 10 for Young Readers (2022)
17
Felix Yz
by Lisa Bunker
172 members
11 reviews
½ 3.6
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Honoree of ALA Rainbow List
18
Frankie & Bug
by Gayle Forman
150 members
11 reviews
½ 4.3
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: ALA Top 10 for Young Readers (2022) | historical (1980s) fiction
19
Gracefully Grayson
by Ami Polonsky
534 members
31 reviews
4
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Honoree of ALA Rainbow List
20
Hurricane Child
by Kacen Callender
524 members
25 reviews
½ 3.7
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Honoree of ALA Rainbow List
21
King and the Dragonflies
by Kacen Callender
588 members
28 reviews
4.2
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Honoree of ALA Rainbow List
22
The Insiders
by Mark Oshiro
162 members
9 reviews
3.9
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: ALA Top 10 for Young Readers (2022)
23
Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World
by Ashley Herring Blake
457 members
19 reviews
½ 4.3
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: On ALA Rainbow Book List
24
Lily and Dunkin
by Donna Gephart
610 members
23 reviews
4.2
Member
aspirit
25
The List of Things That Will Not Change
by Rebecca Stead
489 members
37 reviews
4.2
Member
aspirit
26
The Other Boy
by M. G. Hennessey
219 members
16 reviews
4.2
Member
aspirit
27
The Parker Inheritance
by Varian Johnson
1,193 members
40 reviews
4
Member
aspirit
28
The Ship We Built
by Lexie Bean
108 members
8 reviews
4.2
Member
aspirit
29
Star-Crossed
by Barbara Dee
254 members
14 reviews
½ 4.3
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Honoree of ALA Rainbow List | features theater
30
Thanks a Lot, Universe
by Chad Lucas
123 members
6 reviews
4
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: ALA Top 10 for Young Readers (2022)
31
To Night Owl from Dogfish
by Holly Goldberg Sloan
486 members
27 reviews
4
Member
aspirit
32
Too Bright to See
by Kyle Lukoff
382 members
18 reviews
4.1
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: ALA Top 10 for Young Readers (2022) | A haunted mystery!
33
Beetle & the Hollowbones
by Aliza Layne
310 members
19 reviews
3.9
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Fantasy graphic novel
34
The Deep & Dark Blue
by Niki Smith
213 members
10 reviews
4
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Fantasy graphic novel
35
The Legend of Auntie Po
by Shing Yin Khor
233 members
15 reviews
3.9
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Graphic novel of reimagined American tall tales
36
The Marvels
by Brian Selznick
1,300 members
76 reviews
4.1
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Graphic novel honoree of ALA Rainbow List | historical fiction featuring actors
37
Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy: A Modern Graphic Retelling of Little Women (Classic Graphic Remix, 1)
by Rey Terciero
484 members
22 reviews
½ 3.6
Member
aspirit
38
The Tea Dragon Society
by K. O'Neill
1,635 members
106 reviews
½ 4.4
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Graphic novel
40
Drawing on Walls: A Story of Keith Haring
by Matthew Burgess
83 members
3 reviews
4
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Biographical picture book of artist
41
A Portrait in Poems: The Storied Life of Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas
by Evie Robillard
29 members
2 reviews
½ 4.3
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Biographical picture book
42
Were I Not A Girl: The Inspiring and True Story of Dr. James Barry
by Lisa Robinson
43 members
2 reviews
½ 3.5
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Biographical picture book of English doctor
43
The Fighting Infantryman: The Story of Albert D. J. Cashier, Transgender Civil War Soldier
by Rob Sanders
24 members
2 reviews
½ 4.4
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Biographical picture book of US Civil War soldier
44
Who Was Harvey Milk?
by Corinne A. Grinapol
60 members
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Biographical nonfiction
45
Second Dad Summer
by Benjamin Klas
12 members
1 review
4
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Novel
46
The Derby Daredevils: Kenzie Kickstarts a Team: (The Derby Daredevils Book #1)
by Kit Rosewater
54 members
½ 2.5
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Graphic novel featuring roller skating; 1st in series
47
A High Five for Glenn Burke
by Phil Bildner
119 members
6 reviews
½ 4.5
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: features biographical nonfiction
48
The Moon Within
by Aida Salazar
279 members
9 reviews
4.1
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Verse novel on ALA Rainbow Book List | focuses on puberty
49
Sewing the Rainbow: A Story About Gilbert Baker
by Gayle E Pitman
104 members
7 reviews
4
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Biographical picture book; honoree of ALA Rainbow List
50
This Day in June
by Gayle E. Pitman
330 members
31 reviews
3.9
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Picture book honoree of ALA Rainbow List. An easygoing intro to current Pride parades. Created for a younger audience but often restricted for those ages.
51
Stonewall: A Building. An Uprising. A Revolution
by Rob Sanders
227 members
5 reviews
½ 4.3
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Nonfiction picture book; honoree of ALA Rainbow List
52
Bodies Are Cool
by Tyler Feder
448 members
17 reviews
½ 4.3
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: ALA Top 10 for Young Readers (2022)
53
The Every Body Book: The LGBTQ+ Inclusive Guide for Kids about Sex, Gender, Bodies, and Families
by Rachel E. Simon
109 members
1 review
½ 4.6
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Nonfiction Honoree of ALA Rainbow List
54
Sex is a Funny Word: A Book about Bodies, Feelings, and YOU
by Cory Silverberg
316 members
12 reviews
½ 4.5
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Nonfiction honoree of ALA Rainbow List
55
A Kids Book About Being Transgender
by Gia Parr
32 members
4
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Nonfiction
56
A Kids Book About Being Non-Binary
by Hunter Chinn-Raicht
32 members
1 review
4
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Nonfiction
57
LGBTQ Discrimination in America (Being LGBTQ in America)
by Duchess Harris
3 members
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Nonfiction
58
LGBTQ Service in the Armed Forces (Being LGBTQ in America)
by Duchess Harris, Ph. D.
4 members
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Nonfiction
59
Lgbtq Social Movements in America (Being Lgbtq in America)
by Duchess Harris
1 member
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Nonfiction
60
Growing Up LGBTQ (Being LGBTQ in America)
by Duchess Harris
3 members
4
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Nonfiction
61
Being Transgender in America
by Duchess Harris
1 member
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Nonfiction
62
LGBTQ Rights and the Law (Being LGBTQ in America)
by Duchess Harris
1 member
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Nonfiction
63
Pride: Celebrating Diversity & Community
by Robin Stevenson
124 members
17 reviews
½ 4.5
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Nonfiction
64
I am Billie Jean King (Ordinary People Change the World)
by Brad Meltzer
86 members
2 reviews
½ 4.7
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Biographical picture book
65
Redwood and Ponytail: (Novels for Preteen Girls, Children’s Fiction on Social Situations, Fiction Books for Young Adults, LGBTQ Books, Stories in Verse)
by K. A. Holt
170 members
8 reviews
3.9
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Verse novel, realistic, on ALA Rainbow Book List | features sports, including cheerleading
66
The Pants Project
by Cat Clarke
230 members
18 reviews
3.8
Member
aspirit
67
Love Around the World (Love Around the World, 1)
by Fleur Pierets
10 members
Member
aspirit
68
The Stonewall Riots: Coming Out in the Streets
by Gayle E Pitman
170 members
5 reviews
4.2
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Nonfiction
69
Lintang and the Pirate Queen
by Tamara Moss
87 members
3 reviews
3.8
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Adventure fantasy novel | features fairy-like creatures and unique gods
70
Hazel’s Theory of Evolution
by Lisa Jenn Bigelow
108 members
5 reviews
½ 4.3
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Novel, winner of Lambda Literary Award
71
Sal and Gabi Break the Universe
by Carlos Hernandez
800 members
41 reviews
4
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Speculative novel | features a main character who identifies as aromantic
72
The Mighty Heart of Sunny St. James
by Ashley Herring Blake
164 members
9 reviews
½ 4.3
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Realistic novel on ALA Rainbow Book List | features a young main character who has had heart surgery
73
Stage Dreams
by Melanie Gillman
139 members
14 reviews
½ 3.6
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Historical graphic novel on ALA Rainbow Book List | features the Confederacy (US Civil War)
74
The Tea Dragon Festival
by K. O'Neill
703 members
47 reviews
½ 4.4
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Fantasy graphic novel on ALA Rainbow Book List
75
Drum Roll, Please
by Lisa Jenn Bigelow
153 members
10 reviews
4.2
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Realistic novel on ALA Rainbow Book List | features band
76
In the Key of Us
by Mariama J. Lockington
98 members
6 reviews
3.9
Member
aspirit
77
Elle of the Ball (1) (Hoops)
by Elena Delle Donne
57 members
4 reviews
½ 4.4
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Realistic novel on ALA Rainbow Book List | features basketball
78
Cattywampus
by Ash Van Otterloo
78 members
1 review
½ 3.7
Member
aspirit
Explanations
aspirit: Realistic fantasy novel | features an intersex character
79
Almost Flying
by Jake Maia Arlow
98 members
3 reviews
½ 4.3
Member
aspirit
80
This Is Our Rainbow: 16 Stories of Her, Him, Them, and Us
by Katherine Locke
203 members
5 reviews
½ 3.3
Member
aspirit
81
The Dog and the Sailor
by Pete Jordi Wood
32 members
1 review
½ 4.7
Member
aspirit
82
The Letter Q: Queer Writers' Notes to their Younger Selves
by Sarah Moon
297 members
5 reviews
½ 3.7
83
Other Words for Smoke
by Sarah Maria Griffin
199 members
3 reviews
4
84
My Footprints
by Bao Phi
166 members
12 reviews
4
85
Goldie Vance: The Hotel Whodunit
by Lilliam Rivera
63 members
2 reviews
½ 3.7
86
Into the Tall, Tall Grass
by Loriel Ryon
37 members
4