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
by
Seán Hewitt and Luke Edward Hall

Adult SEL

Advisory

Appreciations

Boys

Bullying

Cognitive & Brain Development

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

Conflict & Peace

Cultural Identity

DEIJB

Discipline

Distance Learning

Early Years

Educators

Emotions

Empathy

Foundational SEL

Relationships & Friendship

General SEL

Girls

Gratitude

Growth Mindset & Resilience

Identity

Joy, Play & Awe

Kindness & Empathy

Leadership

LGBTQ+

Mental Health

Mindfulness & Wellbeing

Nature

Parent & Caregiver

Problem Solving & Decision Making

Professional Development

Restorative Practices

SEL Integration

Social Media & Technology

Student Voice

Summer Break

Summer Reads

Transitions

Trauma

Whole Community Approach

"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.

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An Accident of Stars
by
Foz Meadows

Adult SEL

Advisory

Appreciations

Boys

Bullying

Cognitive & Brain Development

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

Conflict & Peace

Cultural Identity

DEIJB

Discipline

Distance Learning

Early Years

Educators

Emotions

Empathy

Foundational SEL

Relationships & Friendship

General SEL

Girls

Gratitude

Growth Mindset & Resilience

Identity

Joy, Play & Awe

Kindness & Empathy

Leadership

LGBTQ+

Mental Health

Mindfulness & Wellbeing

Nature

Parent & Caregiver

Problem Solving & Decision Making

Professional Development

Restorative Practices

SEL Integration

Social Media & Technology

Student Voice

Summer Break

Summer Reads

Transitions

Trauma

Whole Community Approach

Pride 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.

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Black Flamingo
by
Dean Atta

Adult SEL

Advisory

Appreciations

Boys

Bullying

Cognitive & Brain Development

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

Conflict & Peace

Cultural Identity

DEIJB

Discipline

Distance Learning

Early Years

Educators

Emotions

Empathy

Foundational SEL

Relationships & Friendship

General SEL

Girls

Gratitude

Growth Mindset & Resilience

Identity

Joy, Play & Awe

Kindness & Empathy

Leadership

LGBTQ+

Mental Health

Mindfulness & Wellbeing

Nature

Parent & Caregiver

Problem Solving & Decision Making

Professional Development

Restorative Practices

SEL Integration

Social Media & Technology

Student Voice

Summer Break

Summer Reads

Transitions

Trauma

Whole Community Approach

"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.

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Family is Family
by
Melissa Marr

Adult SEL

Advisory

Appreciations

Boys

Bullying

Cognitive & Brain Development

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

Conflict & Peace

Cultural Identity

DEIJB

Discipline

Distance Learning

Early Years

Educators

Emotions

Empathy

Foundational SEL

Relationships & Friendship

General SEL

Girls

Gratitude

Growth Mindset & Resilience

Identity

Joy, Play & Awe

Kindness & Empathy

Leadership

LGBTQ+

Mental Health

Mindfulness & Wellbeing

Nature

Parent & Caregiver

Problem Solving & Decision Making

Professional Development

Restorative Practices

SEL Integration

Social Media & Technology

Student Voice

Summer Break

Summer Reads

Transitions

Trauma

Whole Community Approach

In 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.

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If I Was Your Girl
by
Meredith Russo

Adult SEL

Advisory

Appreciations

Boys

Bullying

Cognitive & Brain Development

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

Conflict & Peace

Cultural Identity

DEIJB

Discipline

Distance Learning

Early Years

Educators

Emotions

Empathy

Foundational SEL

Relationships & Friendship

General SEL

Girls

Gratitude

Growth Mindset & Resilience

Identity

Joy, Play & Awe

Kindness & Empathy

Leadership

LGBTQ+

Mental Health

Mindfulness & Wellbeing

Nature

Parent & Caregiver

Problem Solving & Decision Making

Professional Development

Restorative Practices

SEL Integration

Social Media & Technology

Student Voice

Summer Break

Summer Reads

Transitions

Trauma

Whole Community Approach

In 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.

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Julián is a mermaid
by
Jessica Love

Adult SEL

Advisory

Appreciations

Boys

Bullying

Cognitive & Brain Development

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

Conflict & Peace

Cultural Identity

DEIJB

Discipline

Distance Learning

Early Years

Educators

Emotions

Empathy

Foundational SEL

Relationships & Friendship

General SEL

Girls

Gratitude

Growth Mindset & Resilience

Identity

Joy, Play & Awe

Kindness & Empathy

Leadership

LGBTQ+

Mental Health

Mindfulness & Wellbeing

Nature

Parent & Caregiver

Problem Solving & Decision Making

Professional Development

Restorative Practices

SEL Integration

Social Media & Technology

Student Voice

Summer Break

Summer Reads

Transitions

Trauma

Whole Community Approach

Julián 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.

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Lavender Palette
by
David F. Martin

Adult SEL

Advisory

Appreciations

Boys

Bullying

Cognitive & Brain Development

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

Conflict & Peace

Cultural Identity

DEIJB

Discipline

Distance Learning

Early Years

Educators

Emotions

Empathy

Foundational SEL

Relationships & Friendship

General SEL

Girls

Gratitude

Growth Mindset & Resilience

Identity

Joy, Play & Awe

Kindness & Empathy

Leadership

LGBTQ+

Mental Health

Mindfulness & Wellbeing

Nature

Parent & Caregiver

Problem Solving & Decision Making

Professional Development

Restorative Practices

SEL Integration

Social Media & Technology

Student Voice

Summer Break

Summer Reads

Transitions

Trauma

Whole Community Approach

"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.

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Maurice
by
E. M. Forster

Adult SEL

Advisory

Appreciations

Boys

Bullying

Cognitive & Brain Development

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

Conflict & Peace

Cultural Identity

DEIJB

Discipline

Distance Learning

Early Years

Educators

Emotions

Empathy

Foundational SEL

Relationships & Friendship

General SEL

Girls

Gratitude

Growth Mindset & Resilience

Identity

Joy, Play & Awe

Kindness & Empathy

Leadership

LGBTQ+

Mental Health

Mindfulness & Wellbeing

Nature

Parent & Caregiver

Problem Solving & Decision Making

Professional Development

Restorative Practices

SEL Integration

Social Media & Technology

Student Voice

Summer Break

Summer Reads

Transitions

Trauma

Whole Community Approach

In 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.

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Release
by
Patrick Ness

Adult SEL

Advisory

Appreciations

Boys

Bullying

Cognitive & Brain Development

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

Conflict & Peace

Cultural Identity

DEIJB

Discipline

Distance Learning

Early Years

Educators

Emotions

Empathy

Foundational SEL

Relationships & Friendship

General SEL

Girls

Gratitude

Growth Mindset & Resilience

Identity

Joy, Play & Awe

Kindness & Empathy

Leadership

LGBTQ+

Mental Health

Mindfulness & Wellbeing

Nature

Parent & Caregiver

Problem Solving & Decision Making

Professional Development

Restorative Practices

SEL Integration

Social Media & Technology

Student Voice

Summer Break

Summer Reads

Transitions

Trauma

Whole Community Approach

In 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.

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Steven Universe
by
Rebecca Rea Sugar

Adult SEL

Advisory

Appreciations

Boys

Bullying

Cognitive & Brain Development

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

Conflict & Peace

Cultural Identity

DEIJB

Discipline

Distance Learning

Early Years

Educators

Emotions

Empathy

Foundational SEL

Relationships & Friendship

General SEL

Girls

Gratitude

Growth Mindset & Resilience

Identity

Joy, Play & Awe

Kindness & Empathy

Leadership

LGBTQ+

Mental Health

Mindfulness & Wellbeing

Nature

Parent & Caregiver

Problem Solving & Decision Making

Professional Development

Restorative Practices

SEL Integration

Social Media & Technology

Student Voice

Summer Break

Summer Reads

Transitions

Trauma

Whole Community Approach

"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.

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The Broken Heart
by
Aaron Chan

Adult SEL

Advisory

Appreciations

Boys

Bullying

Cognitive & Brain Development

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

Conflict & Peace

Cultural Identity

DEIJB

Discipline

Distance Learning

Early Years

Educators

Emotions

Empathy

Foundational SEL

Relationships & Friendship

General SEL

Girls

Gratitude

Growth Mindset & Resilience

Identity

Joy, Play & Awe

Kindness & Empathy

Leadership

LGBTQ+

Mental Health

Mindfulness & Wellbeing

Nature

Parent & Caregiver

Problem Solving & Decision Making

Professional Development

Restorative Practices

SEL Integration

Social Media & Technology

Student Voice

Summer Break

Summer Reads

Transitions

Trauma

Whole Community Approach

In 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.

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The Sunbearer Trials
by
Aiden Thomas

Adult SEL

Advisory

Appreciations

Boys

Bullying

Cognitive & Brain Development

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

Conflict & Peace

Cultural Identity

DEIJB

Discipline

Distance Learning

Early Years

Educators

Emotions

Empathy

Foundational SEL

Relationships & Friendship

General SEL

Girls

Gratitude

Growth Mindset & Resilience

Identity

Joy, Play & Awe

Kindness & Empathy

Leadership

LGBTQ+

Mental Health

Mindfulness & Wellbeing

Nature

Parent & Caregiver

Problem Solving & Decision Making

Professional Development

Restorative Practices

SEL Integration

Social Media & Technology

Student Voice

Summer Break

Summer Reads

Transitions

Trauma

Whole Community Approach

In "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.

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The 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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