A collection of recommended books that provide reliable, inclusive and age appropriate information to support children, youth and families in learning about sexual health, relationships and personal identity.

Books by topic

  • Sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI)

    Diverse families and structures

    • "All families are special" by Norma Simon, illustrated by Teresa Flavin 
    • "A family is a family is a family" by Sara O’Leary, illustrated by Qin Leng 
    • "One family" by George Shannon, illustrated by Blanca Gomez 
    • "Stella brings the family" by Miriam B. Schiffer, illustrated by Holly Clifton-Brown 
    • "Donavan's big day" by Lesléa Newman, illustrated by Mike Dutton 
    • "And Tango makes three" by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, illustrated by Henry Cole 
    • "Home at last" by Vera B. Williams, illustrated by Chris Raschka 
    • "Monday is one day" by Arthur A. Levine, illustrated by Julian Hector 

    Gender identity and gender expression 

    • "I am Jazz" by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings, illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas 
    • "I’m a girl" by Yasmeen Ismail 
    • "Introducing Teddy: A gentle story about gender and friendship" by Jessica Walton, illustrated by Dougal MacPherson 
    • "Morris Micklewhite and the tangerine dress" by Christine Baldacchino, illustrated by Isabelle Malenfant 
    • "Red: A crayon’s story" by Michael Hall 
    • "10,000 dresses" by Marcus Ewert, illustrated by Rex Ray 
    • "George" by Alex Gino 
    • "Gracefully Grayson" by Ami Polonsky 
    • "The other boy" by M.G. Hennessey 

    Challenging gender roles and stereotypes 

    • "Not your typical dragon" by Dan Bar-el, illustrated by Tim Bowers 
    • "Henry Holton takes the ice" by Sandra Bradley, illustrated by Sara Palacios 
    • "Would you rather be a princess or a dragon" by Barney Saltzberg 
    • "Not all princesses dress in pink" by Jane Yolen and Heidi Y. Stemple, illustrated by Anne-Sophie Languetin 
    • "The misfits" by James Howe 

    2SLGBTQIA + visibility and celebration  

    • "Worm loves worm" by J.J. Austrian, illustrated by Mike Curato 
    • "This day in June" by Gayle E. Pitman, illustrated by Kristyna Litten 
    • "Drama" by Raina Telgemeier 
    • "Hurricane child" by Kheryn Callender 
    • "Felix Yz" by Lisa Bunker 
    • "Star-crossed" by Barbara Dee 
    • "Better Nate than ever" by Tim Federle 
    • "Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, Book Two: The hammer of Thor" by Rick Riordan 
  • Our bodies

    Birth 

    • "Where did I come from?" by Peter Mayle 
    • "It's so amazing" by Robbie Harris 

    Bodies explained 

    • "What's happening to me? An illustrated guide to puberty" by Peter Mayle 
    • "Boys, girls & body science: A first book about facts of life" by Meg Hickling 
    • "Bellybuttons are navels" by Mark Schoen 
  • Birth control
    • "The new essential guide to lesbian conception, pregnancy, and birth" by Stephanie Brill 
    • "Taking charge of your fertility" by Toni Weschler 

Books by age

  • Children
    • "Amazing you! Getting smart about your private parts" by Gail Saltz 
    • "I said no! A kid-to-kid guide to keeping private parts private" by Kimberly King 
    • "Who has what? All about girls’ bodies and boys’ bodies" by Robie H. Harris 
    • "Where did I come from?" by Peter Mayle 
    • "The boy’s body book" by Kelli Dunham 
    • "The period book: Everything you don’t want to ask (but need to know)" by Karen Gravelle 
    • "Growing up: It’s a girl thing" by Mavis Jukes 
    • "What’s happening to my body? For girls – for boys" by Lynda Madaras
    • “Sex is a funny word” by Cory Silverberg 
  • Teenagers and young adults
    • "S.E.X.: The all-you-need-to-know progressive sexuality guide to get you through high school and college" by Heather Corinna
    • "100 questions you'd never ask your parents: Straight answers to teens' questions about sex, sexuality, and health" by Elisabeth Henderson and Nancy Armstrong, M.D. 
    • "Changing bodies, changing lives: A book for teens on sex and relationships" by Ruth Bell 
    • "The new teenage body book" by Kathy McCoy and Dr. Charles Wibbelsman

    SOGI non-fiction books for middle grades

    • "Gay and lesbian history for kids: The century-long struggle for LGBT rights" by Jerome Pohlen
    • "Pride: Celebrating diversity and community" by Robin Stevenson
    • "Sex is a funny word: A book about bodies, feelings, and YOU" by Cory Silverberg, illustrated by Fiona Smyth 

    SOGI fiction books for secondary students 

    • "We are the ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson 
    • "If I was your girl" by Meredith Russo 
    • "When the moon was ours" by Anna-Marie McLemore 
    • "I’ll give you the sun" by Jandy Nelson 
    • "Ramona Blue" by Julie Murphy 
    • "More happy than not" by Adam Silvera 
    • "Dress codes for small towns" by Courtney C. Stevens 
    • "Two boys kissing" by David Levithan 
    • "Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the universe" by Benjamin Alire Sáenz 
    • "Little & Lion" by Brandy Colbert 

    SOGI non-fiction books for young adults 

    • "This book is gay" by Juno Dawson 
    • "The ABCs of LGBT+" by Ashley Mardell 
    • "Rethinking normal: A memoir in transition" by Katie Rain Hill with Ariel Schrag 
    • "Some assembly required: The not-so-secret life of a transgender teen" by Arin Andrews with Joshua Lyon 
    • "Being Jazz" by Jazz Jennings 
X

Cookies help us improve your website experience.
By using our website, you agree to our use of cookies.

Confirm
X

Cookies help us improve your website experience.
By using our website, you agree to our use of cookies.

Confirm