Skip to Main Content

Lambda Literary: Read with PRIDE

.

Fiction Titles

George (FY 2017)

George feels even more out of place than other kids in class. Desperate to be seen for who she is, George longs to play the lead in Charlotte’s Web. However, her classmates only see an awkward, quiet boy. With the encouragement of her best friend, George steals the show as the best Charlotte the school has seen. This compassion filled book gives you a glimpse into the life of a transgender teen.

Julián Is a Mermaid

A young boy sees three ravishing ladies in the subway, dressed in colorful gowns that end in fishtails. He gets home and sets to work creating his own glorious mermaid garb. But what will his Abuela think?

The GayBCs

A joyous, timely alphabet book of LGBTQ+ vocabulary, celebrating the beauty of embracing one's true self. In this inclusive book of ABCs, four friends play and exploreduring a playdate extravaganza. As they sashay out of closetsand discover a wardrobe fit for a king or queen, they realize that manyproblems can be solved with a little makeup, imagination, and,of course, your best friends! Featuring bright illustrations and upbeat, accessible poems,The GayBCsis perfect for fans ofA Is for ActivistandFeminist Baby-showing kids and adults alikethat every identity is worthy of being celebrated.

Gracefully Grayson (FY 2016)

Have you ever felt like you didn’t belong? Like you didn’t fit into your own skin? As long as Grayson can remember he’s felt like he was in the wrong body. On a whim, Grayson tries out for the lead female role in the school play and he gets it. But will he be able to put up with the derision from his classmates, cousin, and even his aunt? Will Grayson have the courage to follow through?

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he's pushed out; without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he's never met.

I'll Give You the Sun

Available in Spanish. Twins Jude and Noah used to be close. They used to have a complete family. They used to be happy. They used to understand how life was supposed to work. But now Noah is just a regular guy, and Jude is an artist who can’t make anything that doesn’t break. This psychological, complex, romantic, challenging book will pull you in and keep you reading to the end.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

A lyrical novel about family and friendship from critically acclaimed author Benjamin Alire Senz. Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship--the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And it is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be.

Carry On

In this character-driven world of magic and monsters, Simon Snow may be the chosen one sent to save the magical world from the Humdrum, but all he can think about is how this is his last year at Watford School for Magicks and how his nemisis and roommate, Baz, a vampire, is missing. Reminiscent of Hogwarts, this love letter to fanfic is an engrossing story with just the right amount of kissing.

One Man Guy

Alek Khederian should have guessed something was wrong when his parents took him to a restaurant. Everyone knows that Armenians never eat out. Between bouts of interrogating the waitress and criticising the menu, Alek's parents announce that he'll be attending summer school to bring up his grades. Alek is sure this experience will be the perfect hellish end to his hellish freshman year of high school. He never could've predicted that he'd meet someone like Ethan. Ethan is everything Alek wishes he were: confident, free-spirited, and irreverent. He can't believe a guy this cool wants to be his friend. And before long, it seems like Ethan wants to be more than friends. Alek has never thought about having a boyfriend - he's barely ever had a girlfriend - but maybe it's time to think again.

Putting Makeup on the Fat Boy

In this spirited exploration of strength and personality, a fabulous New YorkCity teen knows he's destined for greatness--if only he can survive his firstjob as a makeup artist in Macy's.

Non Fiction Titles

Gay and Lesbian History for Kids

Who transformed George Washington's demoralized troops at Valley Forge into a fighting force that defeated an empire? Who cracked Germany's Enigma code and shortened World War II? Who successfully lobbied the US Congress to outlaw child labor? And who organized the 1963 March on Washington? Ls, Gs, Bs, and Ts, that's who. Given today's news, it would be easy to get the impression that the campaign for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) equality is a recent development, but it is only the final act in a struggle that started more than a century ago.

This Book Is Gay (FY 2017)

Get all the facts you need to know about LGBTQ and beyond. This frank, funny and uncensored work is an upbeat exploration of what it means to be a gay teen today. This should be required reading.

Gay Power!

In this riveting story, we'll explore the decades of discrimination and abuse that gay people endured in the United States. We'll also learn how gay people continue to fight for equal rights and recognition.

Gay Lives

In this book, Robert Aldrich presents a fascinating portrait of gay men and women throughout history that reveals the full diversity of gay lives as lived in their times.

What Was Stonewall?

In the early-morning hours of June 28, 1969, police arrived at the Stonewall Inn's doors and yelled, "Police! We're taking the place!" But the people in this New York City neighborhood bar, members of the LGBTQ community, were tired of being harassed. They rebelled in the streets, turning one moment into a civil rights movement and launching the fight for equality among LGBTQ people in the United States.

Stonewall

A riveting exploration of the Stonewall Riots and the national Gay Rights movement that followed is eye-opening, unflinching, and inspiring.

Trans Bodies, Trans Selves

Trans Bodies, Trans Selves is a revolutionary resource - a comprehensive, reader-friendly guide for transgender people, with each chapter written by transgender or genderqueer authors. Inspired by Our Bodies, Ourselves, the classic and powerful compendium written for and by women, Trans Bodies,Trans Selves is widely accessible to the transgender population, providing authoritative information in an inclusive and respectful way and representing the collective knowledge base of dozens of influential experts.

Transgender Lives: Complex Stories, Complex Voice

Alternating biographies of trans* people with information about trans* issues, this book will change your perspective. The stories are filled with bravery, challenge and success—a real inspiration. This brief introduction to a complex world will open your eyes and make you want to learn more.

Transgender 101

Written by a social worker, popular educator, and member of the transgender community, this well-rounded resource combines an accessible portrait of transgenderism with a rich history of transgender life and its unique experiences of discrimination.

Gay America

Milestones of gay and lesbian life in the United States are brought together in the first-ever nonfiction book published specifically for teens. Profusely illustrated with archival images, the groundbreaking Gay America reveals how gay men and women have lived, worked, and loved for the past 125 years. The book includes a bibliography and an index.

The Gay Agenda

A joyful celebration of the LGBTQ+ community's dvelopment, history, and culture, packed with facts, trivia, timelines, and charts, and featuring 100 full-color illustrations. Compiled and designed by queer power couple and illustrators extraordinaire, Ashley Molesso and Chessie Needham, founders of the popular Brooklyn stationery company Ash + Chess, The Gay Agenda is an inviting and entertaining guide that pays tribute to the LGBTQ+ community. Filled with engaging descriptions, interesting facts, helpful features--such as historical queer icons and events and LGBTQ+ acronym definitions--this fabulous compendium illuminates the transformation of the community, highlighting its struggles, achievements, landmarks, and contributions. It also salutes iconic members of the LGBTQ+ community--the celebrities, politicians, entrepreneurs and ordinary citizens who have made a notable impact on gay life and society itself. The Gay Agenda is a nostalgic look back for older generations, an archive for younger people, and a helpful introduction for those interested in learning more about the community and its contributions. From James Baldwin and Emma Goldman to Marsha P. Johnson and Jodie Foster; the Pink Triangle and the Rainbow Flag to Stonewall and the AIDS crisis; Matthew Shepard and Pulse Nightclub to Sodomy Laws and Obergefell; Drag and Transitioning to The L Word and The Kinsey Scale, Freddie Mercury and Ellen Degeneres to Laverne Cox and David Bowie, this magnificent digest is a keepsake honoring all LGBTQ+, and the ongoing fight to gain--and maintain--equality for all.

NYCPS is committed to creating and supporting learning environments that reflect the diversity of New York City. To ensure that our website serves the needs of everyone, it follows the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0, Level AA. That means the sites work for people with disabilities, including those who are blind and partially sighted. We are committed to creating accessible digital experiences for all website visitors. If you require assistance with any documents on our site, please email libraries@schools.nyc.gov