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Celebrate LGBT Pride Month Diverse Reads: June 2021
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Julián Is a Mermaid
by Jessica Love
What it's about: From the moment Julián sees three people in sea-green mermaid costumes, he's captivated. "I am also a mermaid," he tells his abuela, imagining himself with long hair and fins in a fantastical, brilliantly colored seascape. But what will Abuela think when Julián transforms himself with a mermaid costume of his own?
Read it for: A joyful affirmation of identity, self-expression, and imagination.
Don't miss: Comparing the charming illustrations inside the front and back covers.
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George
by Alex Gino
Introducing: George, a fourth-grader who knows she is a girl, even though others see her as male.
What happens: George's teacher announces that Charlotte's Web will be the class play, and George *really* wants to play Charlotte. When George isn't allowed to audition for the part, her best friend Kelly comes up with a plan...
Why we loved it: This is a heartwarming story about identity.
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Drama
by Raina Telgemeier
Callie loves theater... and works as a set designer for her school's drama club. As she navigates seventh grade, Callie deals with new friendships, crushes, and other challenges of middle school life.
Why you should read it: Raina Telgemeier captures the drama of seventh grade in a humorous, accessible, and relatable way.
Reviewers say: "This book will undoubtedly make readers stand up and cheer" (Kirkus Reviews).
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It Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity
by Theresa Thorn; illustrated by Noah Grigni
What it is: An inclusive picture book exploration of gender.
What sets it apart: Various gender identities are presented in kid-friendly language, and dazzling, colorful art is featured on each page.
Reviewers say: "As the song has it, we're living in a big, wide wonderful world. And this book is a welcome addition to it" (Booklist).
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Cemetery Boys
by Aiden Thomas
Starring: Yadriel, a brujo and trans boy who is determined to prove himself to his traditional Latinx family.
What happens: During a ghost-summoning ritual, Yadriel accidentally summons the spirit of a recently-departed classmate named Julian. Helping Julian cross over to the other side would demonstrate Yadriel's worth to his family, but the longer Yadriel gets to know Julian, the less he wants him to leave.
Further reading: If you enjoyed Cemetery Boys, try Lost in the Never Woods, Aiden Thomas's latest LGBT YA fantasy.
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Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Welcome to: El Paso, Texas, home to Aristotle and Dante, two 15-year-old loners who don't have much in common (apart from their unusual names).
What happens: When the boys meet at the neighborhood pool, a friendship starts to blossom that will leave them both completely changed.
Series alert: The sequel, Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World, will be released later this year.
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Check, Please! #Hockey
by Ngozi Ukazu
Introducing: Eric "Bitty" Bittle, a former junior figure skating champion, vlogger extraordinaire, and amateur pâtissier.
What happens: When Bitty joins the Samwell University hockey team, the jock culture takes some getting used to. But then, Bitty meets Jack, the team's attractive but moody captain...
Don't miss: Bitty's hilarious vlog posts and tweets.
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Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me
by Mariko Tamaki; illustrated by Rosemary Valero-O'Connell
The setup: Laura Dean is Frederica "Freddy" Riley's popular, confident girlfriend.
The problem: The self-absorbed Laura is not the best girlfriend by any stretch, but Freddy can't bring herself to move on. This graphic novel follows Freddy's gradual journey toward healthier relationships.
Why we loved it: It shows the mundane aspects of a queer story. This is a good read for anyone wanting characters who are comfortable in their sexuality and identity.
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The Girl from the Sea
by Molly Knox Ostertag
What it is: A YA graphic novel about romance and first love from the author of the Witch Boy trilogy.
Morgan Kwon... can't wait to move away from her small island in Nova Scotia. One night, Morgan is saved from drowning by a mysterious girl named Keltie, and the two begin to connect.
Reviewers say: "Adorable and authentic, this coming-out story is a must" (School Library Journal).
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The Chosen and the Beautiful
by Nghi Vo
What it is: A fantasy reimagining of the Jazz Age world of The Great Gatsby.
Starring: Jordan Baker is a star golfer and socialite who can turn cut paper into enchantments, but she's treated as something of an outsider by her peers due to her queer, Vietnamese identity.
About the author: Nghi Vo made a splash with her 2020 fantasy novella, The Empress of Salt and Fortune.
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Rainbow Milk
by Paul Mendez
What it is: A coming-of-age novel told from two points of view.
Blind ex-boxer Norman Alonso, a migrant from Jamaica, recounts his search for a better life in England and his experiences with racism. 50 years later...
19-year-old Jesse McCarthy, Alonso's grandson, grapples with his racial and sexual identities in modern-day London.
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Malice
by Heather Walter
What it's about: In this darkly magical retelling of Sleeping Beauty, Alyce, an outcast sorceress, finds an ally in Princess Aurora, who's cursed to die within the year.
Who it's for: While this book is in the adult section, the youthful protagonists ensure plenty of YA appeal.
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Giovanni's Room
by James Baldwin
What it's about: An American in 1950s Paris, separated from his fiancée, becomes involved in an intense relationship with a young Italian bartender.
Did you know? Baldwin's publisher originally recommended that he not move forward with the book due to the potential controversy it would create.
Why it's significant: Giovanni's Room is often ranked among the most influential LGBT novels.
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Red, White & Royal Blue
by Casey McQuiston
The setup: Alex Claremont-Diaz, America's First Son, has a beef with Henry, the Prince of Wales, but a series of misadventures unexpectedly leads to romance.
Book buzz: This debut from Casey McQuiston is one of the most popular romance novels of the last few years. Among other honors, it was voted the best romance of 2019 on Goodreads.
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Honey Girl
by Morgan Rogers
Starring: Astronomer Grace Porter, who arrives in Las Vegas to celebrate finishing her PhD and wakes up married to Brooklyn-based radio host Yuki Yamamoto.
What happens: Burned out by the challenges of being a queer, Black scientist in male-dominated academia, Grace heads to New York to clear her head and see if this thing with Yuki has potential.
What sets it apart: Although Grace and Yuki's love story anchors the narrative, this debut also saves plenty of space for Grace's journey of self-discovery and the couple's respective circles of friends.
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Punch Me Up to the Gods
by Brian Broome
What it is: An engrossing memoir about growing up Black and gay in Ohio.
What's inside: Broome, a poet and screenwriter, recounts his experiences struggling with his sexuality, clashing with his parents, and finding his way in the world, one event at a time.
Reviewers say: "A stunning introduction to a new literary star on the rise" (Bustle).
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Leaving Isn't the Hardest Thing: Essays
by Lauren Hough
What it is: A candid and searing memoir made up of eleven linked essays.
Topics include: The book opens with the author's early childhood as a member of a doomsday cult. As Hough traces her life experiences, she discusses sexism, poverty, and the struggle to belong.
About the author: Before becoming an author and essayist, Hough had been an Air Force Airman, a barista, a bouncer, a bartender, and even a cable guy.
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How Y'all Doing? Misadventures and Mischief from a Life Well Lived
by Leslie Jordan
What it's about: Emmy-winner Leslie Jordan regales fans with stories about the odd, funny, and unforgettable events in his life in this droll and irreverent essay collection.
Want a taste? "I am the funny actor who comes in with the zinger. That is my job. I have been doing it for a hundred million years."
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Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic
by Alison Bechdel
What it's about: Bechdel presents a look at her childhood with her distant mother and imposing father, who managed a funeral home (the "fun home" of the title) while hiding his homosexuality.
Why we loved it: This graphic memoir focuses on the familial aspects of a queer story. The parent-child relationship here is really interesting. Lots of introspection on sexual identity.
About the author: In additional to being an acclaimed cartoonist, the author is known for the Bechdel test.
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Fresno County Public Library 2420 Mariposa St. Fresno, California 93721 559-600-READ (7323)www.fresnolibrary.org |
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