In celebration of Pride Month, we asked our school Librarian, Miss Bratt to recommend her favourite books which cover LGBTQ+ issues. Last year Miss Bratt recommended Heartstopper which recently became a hit Netflix series so we knew we had to check in with her again, to see if she had any new suggestions for books which cover these important issues. Here is what she said.
Proud of Me by Sarah Hagger-Holt
Earlier this year we had the privilege of being visited by Sarah Hagger-Holt. Proud of Me is about a family made up of two mothers and two teenagers. The mothers chose to use the same anonymous sperm donor and were pregnant at the same time making Josh and Becky almost twins. Josh wants to know the identify of his father but Becky is more concerned about falling in love with her best friend Carli. This is a warm, funny and relatable story about coming of age and finding out who you really are.
You’re the One that I Want by Simon James Green
This book won the Bristol Teen Book Award 2022. This is the story of Freddie. He is neurotic, obsessed with finding love and has a mother who is not really around. At a party Freddie meets a beautiful boy but it doesn’t go well, a few days later Freddie meets another gorgeous boy. He decides to sign up to the play in order to spend time with him. Will Freddie find love? This is a humous and laugh out loud book about crushes, first love and finding a way to comfortable in your own skin.
Gender: A Graphic Guide by Meg-John Barker and Jules Scheele
If you want to have a better understanding of the complexities of gender, this is the perfect place to start. In this helpful illustrated guide, Meg-John Barker and Jules Scheele travel through our shifting understandings of gender across time and space - from ideas about masculinity and femininity, to non-binary and trans genders, to intersecting experiences of gender, race, sexuality, class, disability and more. They look to the past and the future to explore how we might all approach gender in more caring and celebratory ways. If you want to have a better understanding of the complexities of gender this is the perfect place to start.
Coming Up for Air by Tom Daley
In this compelling autobiography, Olympic Gold Medallist Tom Daley explores his successes, failures, the challenges of coming out and the joy of fatherhood. As a public figure since he was 14, Tom Daley’s life has been lived in the public eye. It is fascinating to read his reflections about his life. This autobiography is a great read and gives you the opportunity to get to know Tom.
The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson
Lisa Williamson’s first book is a firm favourite at Redmaids’ High. Two outsiders. Two secrets. David longs to be a girl. Leo wants to be invisible. When Leo stands up for David in a fight, an unlikely friendship forms. But things are about to get messy. Because at Eden Park School, secrets have a funny habit of not staying secret for long . . .This book is full of twists and turns, it is all about who you can trust and the complexities of family life.
To celebrate Pride Month, we are hosting our very own Pride Week with a host of different acitivites happening throughout the week including a Heart Stopper book club, bracelet making and chalk art. Keep an eye on our social channels as we share photos from everything happening this week!