Recs if you like Too Bright to See...
Trans Rights Readathon Suggestions (masterlist)
Reading suggestions for the Trans Rights Readathon! (Any year of course). Books with trans characters of any label (or any non-cis gender identity) by trans/non-cis authors. I have not read all the books in this list. Feel free to name your fave books by trans authors in the comments!
Badge Gremlins
Shorter books (under 200 pages) that are part of at least one quest. Many are also in the public domain, making them easily accessible when you want to grind for that next badge.
Creepy Queers
Creepy books made better because there are queer characters
Queer Ghost Stories
Exactly what it says on the tin: queer stories that also have ghosts.
Chasing That Studio Ghibli Feeling
Books that feel like they could be adapted into a Studio Ghibli movie or have similar vibes to specific Ghibli films
I can't remember the title, but the cover is blue
Ah yes, this ol' issue that has plagued librarians and bookstore clerks for decades.
And sometimes you find the right book, but... can you even call that shade blue?
i <3 baby queers
Queer middle grade books that make you wish you had these books growing up Inspired by the queer middle grade quest - check that out! Would love suggestions!
transmasc (middle grade)
any genre; main and (important) side characters who are trans I also have lists for transmasc (YA) and transmasc (adult). For graphic novels I have a separate list: transmasc (graphic novels).
Stonewall Book Awards and Honors
I thought it would be nice to have all of them in one long list.
Soft Books for Grief
These are books that deal with grief, but feel gentle. It's a lot of graphic novels and even some kid's books. A lot of these are stories that are light or made me feel held in a way. The nonfiction ones had good facts, but were also reassuring and/or didn't involve a lot of heavy details that some grief books can have.
Newbery Award Winners and Honors
Complete as of August 2026.
trans-masc recommendations
I find it so important to see yourself among the pages you lovingly take the time to read. Reading these relatable stories has given me a new perspective on reading and re-ignited my spark. I would love to hear from you! More recommendations or reviews are very welcome.
Newbery Honorees
Books that were nominated for the John Newbery Medal for distinguished contributions to juvenile literature but did not win Currently lists nominees up to 2024
middle grade stonewall award winners & honors
Books that give me the will to live
Books that have given me hope or an inspiration or spark
ala banned books list
a list of the most frequently challenged books as recorded by the american library association. π read more here.
*note: if multiple books from the same series are listed by the ala, i have only included one book per series here
Friends of Dorothy for Middle Grades
Stonewall: Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Award
The first and most enduring award for LGBTQIA+ books is the Stonewall Book Awards, sponsored by the American Library Association's Rainbow Round Table. Since Isabel Miller's Patience and Sarah received the first award in 1971, many other books have been honored for exceptional merit relating to the LGBTQIA+ experience.
The Stonewall Book Award-Mike Morgan and Larry Romans Children's and Young Adult Literature Award (from ala.org)
2016-2025
