Children are the key to a safer and more tolerant future for our nation. Only through education and understating will our future leaders be able to lead a nation full of promise, diversity, and freedom. 


Chapter Books:

The Manny Files by Christian Burch [5]
A “manny” is a male nanny or babysitter. Keats Dalinger’s manny always told him to “be interesting”, but that was a very hard feat for Keats. Keats feels invisible both at school and at home.  The manny is loved by Keats, but not by the other children in his family, especially his sister Lulu. Will Lulu’s manny files get the manny fired?  

The Skull of Truth by Bruce Coville [6]  
Charlie is known for his lying.  Some of his lies are for good causes.  Charlie escapes to Tucker’s Swamp where he finds Mr. Elives’s magic shop.  While at Mr. Elive’s magic shop, Charlie steals “The Skull.”  The Skull puts Charlie under a spell that prevents him from lying.  

My Mixed-Up Berry Blue Summer by Jennifer Gennari [7]
If life wasn’t hard enough for June, being an adolescent tween, she now has to get used to the idea that her mom is planning on remarrying.  The person her mom might marry is a woman.  She tackles this new revolution while trying to hone her baking skills to win the blue ribbon at the fair for her blueberry pie. 

Totally Joe by James Howe [8]
A school assignment turns into a teen’s exploration into his life and the lives of those around him. His alphabiography leads him to take a closer look at his friendships, family, school and even the challenges he faces being a gay teen.  

Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky [9]
This is a great story of self-identity and acceptance. In order for the world to accept Grayson, a transgender 12-year-old, she must first accept herself. 


Picture Books:

Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress by Christine Baldacchino [10]
Morris is teased and shunned by his classmates because he is a boy who loves to wear a tangerine dress during class. After Morris isn’t allowed into the class spaceship, he goes home and creates a beautiful work of art. When he returns to class he creates his own spaceship and places his work of art in it. He takes two of his classmates on a wonderful adventure using his imagination and unique way of thinking. 

10,000 Dresses by Marcus Ewert [11]
Bailey dreams of beautiful dresses made of crystals and rainbows. But because Bailey is a boy, his family discourages him from living his “dream.”  This all changes when Bailey meets Laurel. Laurel helps Bailey to make his dreams come true, and they create beautiful dresses together. 

I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jenning [12]
A heartfelt story based on the real-life experience of a transgender child. 

This Day In June by Gayle E. Pitman [13]
Children are able to “experience” a LGBT pride celebration and learn about the LGBT community and its history. This is a great tool to explain sexual orientation and gender identity in an age-appropriate way.   

And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell [14]
A touching story about how about two male penguins at the New York City's Central Park Zoo take turns sitting on an abandoned egg until it hatches. 

Stella Brings the Family by Miriam Baker Schiffer [15]
This is a great story about a child who is faced with the dilemma of who to bring to her class's Mother's Day celebration, when she has two dads.