Most of all, creating a diverse classroom library for students’ growth can make readers of today the leaders of tomorrow" (Blintt 2020).


#WeNeedDiverseBooks Campaign (Video)
"Though more than half of schoolchildren are minorities--people of color, LGBTQIA, and/or people with disabilities--the fact remains that too few of these children see reflections of themselves in the books they read. Books are more than mirrors-- they’re windows as well. The more kids read, the more they understand not just themselves, but the Story of Us All."
 

Every even year, the award is presented to an author and illustrator (if appropriate) of a children's picture book, an intermediate, and/or a young adult book that includes appropriate portrayals of individuals with developmental disabilities."

This list of 50 comics titles for Juvenile, Teen (YA), and Adult audiences is centered on Black creators, Black stories, and Black histories for all ages."

Lambda Literary nurtures and advocates for LGBTQ writers, elevating the impact of their words to create community, preserve our legacies, and affirm the value of our stories and our lives."

From acclaimed author Sarah Weeks comes a touching coming-of-age story about a young girl who goes on a cross-country journey to discover the truth about her parents. Perfect for fans of Rebecca Stead's When You Reach Me and Ali Benjamin's The Thing About Jellyfish.

She doesn't know when her birthday is or who her father is. In fact, everything about Heidi and her mentally disabled mother's past is a mystery. When a strange word in her mother's vocabulary begins to haunt her, Heidi sets out on a cross-country journey in search of the secrets of her past.

Far away from home, pieces of her puzzling history come together. But it isn't until she learns to accept not knowing that Heidi truly arrives." - HarperCollinsPublishers

At turns joyful and heartbreaking, Stone Fruit reveals through intimately naturalistic dialog and blue-hued watercolor how painful it can be to truly become vulnerable to your loved ones — and how fulfilling it is to be finally understood for who you are." - Fantagraphics 2021

Nelson Glassman is happy his best friend Kyle has found love with Jason. Now he’s looking for his own true love and hopes he might find his soul mate during the road trip. But will being the “third wheel” in a trio ruin his friendships with Kyle and Jason?
     During an eye-opening postgraduation summer road trip, each of the three very different boys also embarks on a personal journey across a landscape of love, sexuality, homophobia, &, above all, friendship." -Simon & Schuster

Recommended Age Range: 14+

Awards & Honor's: Gaylactic Spectrum Award Nominee, Best Novel (2008), Lambda Literary Award, LGBT Children’s/Young Adult (2007), The Inky Awards Nominee, Silver Inky (2008).

Check Out and Interview with Perry Moore Here!