To celebrate Pride Month, IFSEL has complied a selection of our favorite LGBTQIA+ books to enjoy this summer.
Our SEL Resource Database offer a broad selection of SEL-focused grade level reading recommendations.
Follow us on social media for our lates resource suggestions:
"300,000 Kisses" is a landmark anthology celebrating queer Greek and Roman love stories that have often been overlooked or suppressed. Curated by Seán Hewitt and Luke Edward Hall, this collection reclaims narratives beyond the well-known tales, offering contemporary translations and vibrant illustrations to illuminate the diverse spectrum of relationships—from heartfelt and nourishing to unrequited and lustful—in the classical canon.
More InfoPride Month - "An Accident of Stars" intertwines fantastical elements with themes of identity, resilience, and interpersonal relationships, offering readers a journey that encourages self-awareness and empathy. Through the protagonist's experiences, the narrative prompts reflection on emotional growth, cultural understanding, and the importance of supportive relationships, fostering a deeper connection to the characters and their emotional journeys.
More Info"The Black Flamingo" by Dean Atta, a Stonewall Book Award winner, is a fierce coming-of-age verse novel about Michael, a mixed-race gay teen in London, who discovers his identity and finds belonging in the Drag Society, exploring themes of cultural and sexual identity with raw honesty and lyricism.
More InfoIn this charming story, Little Chick observes the different family dynamics of his friends on the way to school and, despite not having a dad or siblings, celebrates his unique family with two moms and is happy to be with the family that loves him.
More InfoIn If I Was Your Girl, Amanda Hardy, the new girl in school, wants to fit in and make friends while keeping a crucial secret about her past. As she grows closer to Grant, she fears revealing that she used to be Andrew, worried it might jeopardize her new life and budding romance in this heartwarming story about identity and acceptance.
More InfoJulián is mesmerized by three costumed mermaids he sees on the subway and, inspired by their brilliance, creates his own fabulous mermaid costume, wondering how his Abuela will react to his self-expression in this jubilant celebration of individuality and self-love.
More Info"The Lavender Palette" reveals the rich heritage of LGBTQ artists in the Pacific Northwest, chronicling how gay and lesbian artists influenced and established a regional cultural identity in the first half of the twentieth century. Through original research and biographies of thirteen artists, David F. Martin highlights their significant contributions and challenges the negative associations historically linked to lavender and purple in relation to homosexuality.
More InfoIn this story, Maurice Hall, a University of Cambridge student, matures and gains self-awareness by accepting his homosexuality and renouncing his long-held bourgeois values. He ultimately resolves his class consciousness conflicts by taking Alec Scudder, a gamekeeper, as his lover.
More InfoIn this beautifully written novel, Adam Thorn faces a life-changing day filled with family tensions, work challenges, and unrequited love, while finding solace in his new boyfriend and best friend, ultimately discovering freedom amidst the chaos.
More Info"Steven Universe" relates to the LGBTQIA+ community through its inclusive representation of diverse gender identities and same-sex relationships, fostering acceptance and understanding. Additionally, it promotes social-emotional learning by addressing themes such as empathy, self-acceptance, and emotional resilience, helping viewers develop a deeper understanding of their own and others' feelings.
More InfoIn this touching story, Stephanie tries to mend her older brother Cody's heart after his boyfriend breaks up with him by collecting pieces of his heart from places that were special to their relationship. Although unsure if she can fully fix his heart, Stephanie learns that her support can help Cody begin to heal.
More InfoIn "The Sunbearer Trials," Aiden Thomas crafts an electrifying Mexican-inspired fantasy where teen semidioses, including the unlikely Jade competitors Teo and Xio, face high-stakes challenges to replenish the Sun's power, with the winner bringing life and light to Reino del Sol and the loser being sacrificed. Teo, the trans son of the goddess of birds, must navigate these perilous trials against more powerful opponents, including his ex-best friend Aurelio, to protect his friends and survive.
More InfoThe above links take you to Amazon, but that is just one option. We encourage you to support your independent bookseller or purchase wherever you feel most comfortable.
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More InfoThis program supports leaders and educators around the world to build and sustain an inclusive, equitable, SEL-rooted school community. This online program is experiential, inspiring, and renewing - providing a balance of high impact practical tools and approaches, alongside space for collaboration and reflection.
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