LGBT Books for Families, Youth, and Parents

Books for Youth—Fiction

• Am I Blue?
  edited by Marion Dane Bauer
  Harper Trophy, 1994
  This is a stunning collection of short stories about bisexual, gay, and lesbian issues for youth. Written by some of the most prolific and honored children's literature writers, the stories explore identity, relationships, parents, coming out, and many other issues. The title story by Bruce Coville is fantastic. Other authors include Lois Lowry, Jacqueline Woodson, Jane Yolen, Francesca Lia Block, and Marion Dane Bauer to name a few. A must.
   
• Annie on My Mind
  Nancy Garden
  Sunburst, 1982
  Two young European-American women fall in love. About two high school seniors, the book beautifully conveys the homophobia gay youth are likely to encounter when they get the opportunity to date and still captures the feelings of first love. As the two women come more and more out, the reader sees how their parents, teachers, friends, and institutions react. Very current despite being nearly 15 years old.
   
• From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun
  Jacqueline Woodson
  Blue Sky Press, 1995
  A brilliant novel of an inner city African American youth and his lesbian mother. Woodson is a powerful writer and the tale is complex and engaging. An award-winning book of the struggle of a family in a homophobic, heterosexist society.
   
• Jack
  A.M. Homes
  Vintage Books, 1989
  A European-American youth discovers his dad is gay. Nice, well-written book that offers portrayals of all characters as real people. Jack also gains perspective on his life.
   
• We're Not Alone
  Rik Isensee
  Lavender Press, 1992
  The story of two European-American youth, one gay, the other lesbian, and their friends. Nicely told and written, the text type is the glitch here. Isensee is a mental health counselor for the gay and lesbian community.
   
• Entries from a Hot Pink Notebook
  Todd D. Brown
  Washington, Square Press, 1995
  This book is quite enjoyable. It captures neatly the experience of two European-American gay youth in a multi-dimensional way. Ben who seems less "with it" than Aaron actually deals with his own homophobia better. Interesting contrast of cultures and experiences. Told in diary form, the reader is drawn in nicely to Ben's mind.
   
• Baby Be-Bop
  Francesca Lia Block
  Joanna Cotter Books, 1995
  In addition to the fact that Francesca Lia Block is an amazing writer, this book, told somewhat akin to Dickens' A Christmas Carol , is the story of Dirk, a youth just discovering his homosexuality. The writing is striking, promoting powerful visuals, and Dirk is definitely an urban European-American L.A. kid of the 90's. When Dirk is the victim of a gay hate crime, he must find a reason to live. The book also takes on historical notes as we hear his Grandmother Fifi's story. Incredible book. Dirk appears in several other books by Block.
   
• Not The Only One
  Edited by Tony Grima
  Alyson Publications, 1994
  Another collection of short stories about gay and lesbian youth (mainly European-American). The selections are very good, varied, though some are a little disturbing. Still there's something for everyone here and issues are not glossed over.
   
• The Drowning of Stephan Jones
  Bette Greene
  Bantam Books, 1992
  Interesting story of a young straight woman and two gay men (all European-American) in a small Arkansas town. Worthwhile and generally believable, the story stays with you. It does focus too much on the straight woman being the heroic figure here, but the fact that the book takes place in a rural Southern setting is a plus.
   
• All The Ways Home (Parenting and Children in the Lesbian and Gay Communities)
  edited by Cindy Rizzo, Jo Schniederman, Lisa Schweig, Jan Shafer, Judith Stein
  New Victoria Publishers, 1995
  A collection of short fiction covering the years of childhood and various topics. The stories are short and readable. Something for everyone.
   
• Tommy Stands Alone
  Gloria Velasquez
  Pinata Books, 1995
  Told through two perspectives—Tommy's and the family therapist, Ms. Martinez—the story tells of Tommy and his family dealing with Tommy being gay. This is an Hispanic family and the story includes some Spanish. Not terrifically written but engaging. The two narrators provide a nice touch.
   
• Counter Play (The Truth About Alex)
  Anne Snyder
  Signet Books, 1981
  A football quarterback learns his best friend and teammate is gay. A nice story from a straight, European-American perspective about friendship and values. This was also an HBO movie several years ago.
   
• Trying Hard to Hear You
  Sandra Scoppetone
  Harper & Row, 1974
  Despite being 22 years old, this book is still a good read. It was one of the first books I read, and I still remember it. The characters are well developed and the book does try to link oppressions. A group tries to respond to two people who are gay and to the violence that happens to them.
   
• The Man Without A Face
  Isabelle Holland
  Harper Keypoint, 1972
  Forget the movie. Mel Gibson changed it a lot. The book, the first children's book of its kind (1972) is typical of the time. Still because it was the first, it makes for a nice contrast when reading later material. And it is well-written. A young European-American male figures out the confusion in his life.
   
• Peter
  Kate Walker
  Houghton Mifflin, 1993
  Award winning Australian coming out book of a youth who discovers his attraction for another male youth. Good story of the pressures of a heterosexist society to conform.
   
• Happy Endings Are All Alike
  Sandra Scoppetone
  Laurel-Leaf Books, 1978
  Nearly twenty years old, two lesbian youth must deal not only with heterosexism and homophobia but sexism as well. Dated, but still true that lesbian youth are seen as objects by some straight male youth. Sometimes hard to read.
   
• Deliver Us From Evie
  M.E. Kerr
  Harper Trophy, 1994
  A novel about being lesbian (European-American) in a small rural community. Kerr is an excellent writer, and the good news here is that no one dies at the end. A good reminder that their being b/g/l/t is affected by the culture where the person is located.
   
• Crush
  Jane Fletcher
  Aly Cat, 1981
  Set in an "all-girls" school, the lives of two young European-American women pass with less than ideal consequences. The portrayal of Lexie as dangerous and unreliable is particularly good.
   
• Fairy Tales
  Peter Cashorali
  Harper San Francisco, 1995
  These fairy tales are contemporized and adapted so that gay men have stories that tell their stories. Strictly for older readers, they are thought provoking and often fun.
   
• Dance On My Grave
  Aidan Chambers
  Harper Trophy, 1982
  Well-written, fast paced story of adolescent love. Provides a different picture of what we often see on the news. Deals with controversial subjects well. European-American.

Books for Youth—Nonfiction

• Damned Strong Love
  Lutz Van Dijk translated by Elizabeth Crawford)
  Henry Holt, 1995
  Wow. This is the true story of Stephan K., a Polish youth in the resistance movement and Willi G., an Austrian airman who meet and fall in love in World War II. Haunting and compelling, the book chronicles their relationship as they meet, fall in love, and then are discovered by the Nazis. The book ends with Stephan K. giving an update as to what happened to him since World War II. You won't put it down and you won't forget.
   
• Two Teenagers In Twenty
  edited by Ann Heron
  Alyson, 1994
  Written by lesbian and gay youth, the book offers narratives of their experiences in the world. Each narrative is short, engaging, and highly readable. The writers span the continent (there's even a Canadian), races, ages, and settings (rural, suburban, urban). This is an update from One Teenager in Ten written in the early 80's.
   
• Being Different (Lambda Youths Speak Out)
  Larry Dane Brimner
  Franklin Walks, 1995
  More good narratives on different issues by youth. There is also a very helpful resource guide in the back. Issues like school, coming out, and being different are explored.
   
• The Journey Out (A Guide for and About Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Teens)
  Rachel Police and Sherry Stewards
  Puffin, 1995
  An excellent comprehensive guide for all. The information is clear and helpful. The topics range from identity to health and religion—among others. Unfortunately, UUism is not mentioned. Otherwise it's very good. There's also a resource list at the back.
   
• Joining The Tribe (Growing Up Gay and Lesbian in the 90's)
  Line Due
  Anchor Books, 1995
  Various essays about gay and lesbian youth in the 90's. The essays are longer but highly interesting and very real. Good reading, particularly for older youth. Spans the continent in terms of geography.
   
• Over The Rainbow (Money, Class, and Homophobia)
  Nicole Field
  London: Pluto Press, 1995
  Provocative book that connects our economic structure with being b/g/l/t. For more advanced readers, the book does a good job of showing how our current system works against equality in monetary ways.
   
• Young, Gay, and Proud
  edited by Alyson Publications
  Alyson, 1980
  This is a good beginning for people who are just coming out. Easy to read, the book provides a good overview of information.
   
• When Someone You Know Is Gay
  Susan and Daniel Cohen
  Dell, 1989
  Another overview of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender life. The book also covers history and transgender concerns. There are good resources at the back—including films.
   
• Understanding Sexual Identity (A book for gay and lesbian teens and their friends)
  Janice E. Rench
  Lerner Publications, 1990
  A short resource book for people to use. Done in question and answer form, the book is an easy read and guide.
   
• Free Your Mind (The Book for Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Youth and Their Allies)
  Ellen Bass and Kate Kaufman
  Harper Perennial, 1996
  This book is a great resource for both youth and anyone who works with youth. It focuses on Self-Discovery, Friends and Lovers, Family, School, Spirituality, and Community. Includes many personal testimonies from youth, some Unitarian Universalists.
   
• Lives of Notable Gays and Lesbians (James Baldwin)
  Randall Kenan
  Chelsea House, 1994
  Part of a series, this biography is different in that it does not hide Baldwin's affectional/sexual orientation. Others already in print or to be printed include: Jane Addams, Alvin Ailey, Willa Cather, Marlene Dietrich, E.M. Forster, Federico Garcia Lorca, Lorraine Hansberry, Edith Head, Rock Hudson, Elton John, John Meaynard Keynes, K.D. Lang, T.E. Lawrence, Liberace, Audre Lorde, Carson McCullers, Harvey Milk, Gabriela Mistral, Martina Navratilova, Mary Renault, Bayard Rustin, Sappho, Bessie Smith, Gertrude Stein, Andy Warhol, Walt Whitman, Oscar Wilde, Tennessee Williams, and Virginia Woolf.
   
• Reflections Of A Rock Lobster
  Aaron Fricke
  Alyson, 1981
  The story from the late 70's of Aaron, who wanted to take a male date to the prom. Aaron was one of the first and garnered national attention. Easy to read and enjoyable.
   
• Sudden Strangers (The Story of a Gay Son and His Father)
  Aaron Fricke and Walter Fricke
  St. Martin Press, 1991
  The struggles and concerns from 2 different viewpoints about having a gay person in one's family. The book is helpful in that one gets to read the thinking of two different perspectives. European-American.
   
• Hearing Us Out: Voices from the Gay and Lesbian Community
  Roger Sutton
  Little Brown and Company, 1994
  Fifteen cross-cultural, multi-cultural narratives from the gay and lesbian community. Spanning generations, communities, and experiences; the stories are moving and informative. Great resource.

Other Related Books—Youth

• When Plague Strikes (The Black Death, Smallpox, and AIDS)
  James Cross Gilbin
  Harper Collins, 1995
  Stunning histories of four diseases/plagues and the similarities that have happened throughout the years. Readable and highly informative, this book is terrific as analysis of human behavior. This is an important and significant book.
   
• The Other Victims (First Person Stories of Non-Jews Persecuted by the Nazis)
  Ina Friedman
  Houghton-Mifflin, 1990
  The book chronicles through story the other folks seen as inferior by the Germans during World War II. Sadly, there is no story for gays or lesbians, but there is information. The information makes for good history of the "175"-ers of the time.
   
• Finding Your Way (A Book About Sexual Ethics)
  Susan Nieberg Terkel
  Franklin Watts, 1995
  An inclusive book that details information and options for you concerning sexual ethics. Often a positive turn on ethics and responsibility regarding sexuality is not a part of the discussion in terms of b/g/l/t youth.

Younger Children—Fiction

• My Two Uncles
  Judith Vigna
  Albert Whitman & Co., 1995
  Elly has two favorite uncles who are partners. For her grandparents 50th anniversary party she and her uncles constructed a diorama. But Grampa doesn't want one of the uncles to come. This story educates about gays and lesbians and families and a conflict that often happens. European-American.
   
• Heather Has Two Mommies
  Lesléa Newman
  Alyson, 1989
  A simple story of a child with two European-American lesbian parents. Direct and clear.
   
• How Would You Feel If Your Dad Was Gay?
  Ann Heron & Meredith Maran
  Alyson, 1991
  Longer story of two families, one African-American with two gay parents, the other European-American with a lesbian mother and the children dealing with a homophobic, heterosexist world. Does a good job of naming often unspoken emotions.
   
• Uncle What-Is-It Is Coming to Visit
  Michael Willhoite
  Alyson, 1993
  A good book to deal with the stereotypes of homophobia as two European-American children learn their gay uncle is coming to visit. An older boy describes all the stereotypes and frightens the children about their uncle—until they talk to their mom and meet him.
   
• The Duke Who Outlawed Jellybeans And Other Stories
  Johnny Valentine
  Alyson, 1991
  Five stories with a fairy tale feel that are told with the child or children living in families with same gender parents. The stories are generally engaging and the parents are portrayed as parents first and being gay or lesbian is noted but not overly dramatized. Mainly European-American.
   
• Asha's Mums
  Rosamund Elwin and Michele Paulse
  Women's Press, 1990
  An African-American child has trouble getting permission to go on a field trip because her permission slip is signed by her two mothers. Clearly points out the heterosexist nature of institutions like schools and how that can affect children. Simple yet effective story.
   
• Daddy's Roommate
  Michael Willhoite
  Alyson, 1990
  The story of a boy who learns his father is gay and has a male partner and what that means to him. Simple and clear. European-American.
   
• Daddy's Marriage
  Michael Willhoite
  Alyson, 1996
  The sequel to Daddy's Roommate. Daddy and his partner have a ceremony of union. Agasin told through the child's perspective, who gets to be a best man. Also of note, the minister is female and Michael Willhoite is a Unitarian Universalist.
   
• Gloria Goes To Gay Pride
  Lesléa Newman
  Alyson, 1991
  Gloria accompanies her two mothers to the gay and lesbian pride parade. She learns about b/g/l/t culture and homophobia. Told from a child's point of view and without a heterosexist overtone. European-American.
   
• Too Far Away To Touch
  Lesléa Newman
  Clarion Books, 1995
  A young European-American girl learns her uncle has AIDS. The book never mentions he's gay but does include his male partner. Zoe deals with a sense of loss while her uncle is still around.
   
• Saturday Is Pattyday
  Lesléa Newman
  New Victoria Publishers, 1993
  An interesting book about visitation when a lesbian couple "divorces". Patty visits one mother on Saturdays which become known as Pattydays. Important because it reaches a topic rarely talked about. European-American.
   
• Losing Uncle Tim
  MaryKate Jordan
  Albert Whitman & Co., 1989
  A young European-American boy deals with losing his uncle to AIDS. A nice book and the author works for hospice which inspired the story. Deals effectively with fear and loss.

Less Direct, But Also of Interest:

• Frederick
  Leo Lionni
  Pantheon, 1967
  A delightfully subversive book about diversity and community. While not "gay" in anyway, the book's message about the importance of the arts and the fact the artist is male improve the odds on diverse thinking for children.
   
• Frank And Ernest
  Alexandra Day
  Scholastic, 1988
  Again no overt gayness here, but Frank and Ernest do everything together. They can be assumed to be a couple and act like one. Plus the language plays are hilarious and children will enjoy them.
   
• Frank And Ernest Play Ball
  Alexandra Day
  Scholastic, 1990
  Another Frank and Ernest entry. The book also educates about baseball which Frank and Ernest know very little about.
   
• Oliver Button Is A Sissy
  Tomie dePaola
  HBJ, 1979
  A good message on gender roles and about being true to one's self. Oliver is more interested in the arts than sports. European-American.
   
• The Story of Ferdinand
  Muneo Leaf
  Puffin, 1931
  Delightful story of bull who is different from what people expect. Considered subversive at the time of publication, the book has strong messages abouth authenticity and identity and self-understanding.

Younger Children—Nonfiction

• It's Perfectly Normal
  Robie H. Harris
  Candlewick Press, 1994
  An outstanding sexuality education book. Speaks openly of affectional/sexual orientation and presents excellent information. A terrific resource.
   
• A Family Is A Circle of People Who Love You
  Doris Jasinek and Pamela Bell Ryan
  Camp Care Publications, 1988
  A good book to explore the meaning of family. The book offers many options and can lead to a good discussion about what a family is and the various ways people define it.