In a recent interview, Carole Boston Weatherford stated that she and her co-author Rob Sanders, “married our concerns for civil rights and LGBTQ+ rights to introduce Bayard Rustin to young readers.” Their picture book, A Song for the Unsung: Bayard Rustin, the Man Behind the 1963 March on Washington (Henry Holt & Company, 2022), introduces the world to the quiet but powerful life of a gay civil rights hero. June is Pride Month, and in addition to Rustin’s story, this list features other essential fiction and nonfiction books that represent, support, and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.
This book list includes affiliate links.
1. It’s Pride, Baby
Allen R. Wells | Dia Valle | Farrar, Straus and Giroux BYR | May 7, 2024 | PB | Amazon | Bookshop
2. Marley’s Pride
Joëlle Retener | DeAnn Wiley | Barefoot Books | April 2, 2024 | PB | Amazon | Bookshop
3. Dominique’s Thrifted Treasures
Margarett McBride | Ryan Middaugh | Free Spirit Publishing | February 27, 2024 | PB | Amazon | Bookshop
4. Jimmy’s Rhythm and Blues
Michelle Meadows | Jamiel Law | HarperCollins | January 30, 2024 | PB | Amazon | Bookshop
5. A Song for the Unsung: Bayard Rustin, the Man Behind the 1963 March on Washington
Carole Boston Weatherford | Rob Sanders | Byron McCray | Henry Holt | November 8, 2022 | PB | Amazon | Bookshop
6. Together: A First Conversation About Love (First Conversations)
Megan Madison | Jessica Ralli | Anne/Andy Passchier | Rise x Penguin | May 9, 2023 | PB | Amazon | Bookshop
7. Being You: A First Conversation About Gender (First Conversations)
Megan Madison | Jessica Ralli | Anne/Andy Passchier | Rise x Penguin Workshop | August 16, 2022 | PB | Amazon | Bookshop
8. Calvin
J.R. Ford | Vanessa Ford | Kayla Harren | G.P. Putnam’s Sons BYR | November 9, 2021 | PB | Amazon | Bookshop
9. Born Ready: The True Story of a Boy Named Penelope
Jodie Patterson | Charnelle Pinkney Barlow | Crown | April 20, 2021 | PB | Amazon | Bookshop
10. My Rainbow
DeShanna Neal | Trinity Neal | Art Twink | Kokila | October 20, 2020 | PB | Amazon | Bookshop
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