As a Queer mother, I enjoy bringing my kiddo to Pride events, including storytimes at LGBTQ+ bookstores and/or the library – and reading Latinx Pride books aloud.
Growing up in a conservative household rooted in Pentecostal and Christian ideology, I did not feel I could be entirely myself. I was taught to hate part of my identity because it was not in accordance with the Bible and religious teachings. However, as I got older I decided to focus on the Bible verse “love thy neighbor as thyself” in Leviticus 19:18, and in doing so, I learned to love myself too.
I also studied and learned about Pride’s history, a history of resistance led by queer and trans femmes of color like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. Learning that Pride is not only a time to celebrate but a time for political action empowers me to educate the next generation through books.
Now, as a mother and author, my number one goal is to make sure my daughter knows I love her beyond measure. One way I demonstrate this love is by reading to her every night. Join me this Pride (and yearlong) with this list of picture books, middle-grade books, and young adult books written and/or illustrated by Latine/x authors.
Picture Books
I personally believe that Picture Books are for everyone, regardless of age. But the target audience of these books is 4-9-year-olds.
They, She, He, Me Free to Be! by Maya Christina Gonzalez
This book is a good tool for showcasing pronouns and what gender expressions people may choose. Maya Gonzalez, an award-winning children’s book artist, author, activist, publisher, and progressive educator, penned it. Her work confronts systemic inequalities related to race/ethnicity, sexism, and cissexism, leveraging children’s books as powerful tools for healing and personal and cultural transformation. All of which make They, She, He, Me Free to Be! perfect for your Latinx Pride books reading list.
Twas the Night Before Pride by Joanna McClintock, illustrated by Juana Medina
Discover the history behind Pride month and how it became nationally recognized with this gorgeous picture book. Young readers will learn about Stonewall, AIDS, protests, and other significant events in an age-appropriate way. This book is illustrated by Juana Medina, the creator of Juana & Lucas, winner of the 2017 Pura Belpré Author Award, along with many other titles. Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, Juana now resides with her family in the Washington, DC area.
Our Subway Baby by Peter Mercurio, illustrated by Leo Espinosa
Although Pete and Danny had not considered starting a family, that changed when Danny found a baby in a subway station. They adopted the baby and became a family. This heartwarming story is based on the author’s real-life experience of becoming a father. It was brought to life with stunning illustrations by Leo Espinosa, an award-winning illustrator and designer from Bogotá, Colombia, who’s work earns it a spot on my list of Latinx Pride books. His work has been featured in the New Yorker, Wired, Esquire, the New York Times, and the Atlantic to name a few.
Middle-Grade Books
The target age for middle-grade books is 8-13 years old.
Pedro & Daniel by Federico Erebia, Illustrated by Julie Kwon
Pedro and Daniel are Mexican-American brothers growing up in 1970s Ohio. Their mother disapproves of Pedro for resembling their darker-skinned father and she doesn’t like that Daniel plays with dolls. Yet, their unbreakable bond enables them to navigate an abusive household, school, coming out, first loves, first jobs, and the AIDS epidemic in this unique coming-of-age story – even in a list of Latinx pride books.
Author Federico Erebia is a retired physician, woodworker, author, poet, and illustrator. He serves on the SCBWI Impact & Legacy Fund steering committee, and the board of Read Your World. He identifies as intersectional: gay, neurodivergent, and Mexican-American.
The Moon Within by Aida Salazar
Celi Rivera has many questions about her changing body, her first crush, and her best friend’s journey of exploring gender fluidity. Additionally, her mother insists on holding a moon ceremony when Celi gets her first period, a tradition from their Mexican ancestors. But Celi is determined not to participate. Will she find the strength to stand up for who she wants to be?
Aida Salazar, an award-winning author, arts activist, and translator, writes for both adults and children, focusing on themes of identity and social justice. She penned the critically acclaimed middle-grade novels in verse, The Moon Within (International Latino Book Award Winner) and Land of the Cranes (Américas Award, International Latino Book Award Honor, and many more).
So Hard to Say by Alex Sanchez
Frederick is the new kid. He’s shy, cute, and seems like perfect boyfriend material to Xio. So she quickly welcomes him into her vibrant circle of friends. Frederick knows he should be flattered by Xio’s attention because she’s popular, pretty, and fun. So why can’t he shake off thoughts of Victor, the soccer team captain, and focus on her?
Alex Sanchez is the author of numerous teen books, including the Rainbow Boys trilogy, The God Box, Getting It, and the Lambda Award-winning middle-grade novel So Hard to Say. He was born in Mexico City to parents of German-Mexican and Cuban heritage before moving with his family to Texas. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, he counsels youth and provides LGBTQ youth resources.
Young Adult
The target age for young-adult books is 13-18 years old.
Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera
Juliet has recently come out to her family and is uncertain if her mom will ever speak to her again. Fortunately, she has a plan to navigate her identity as a “Puerto Rican lesbian.” She secures an internship with her favorite author: Harlowe Brisbane, renowned for her expertise in feminism, women’s bodies, and topics important to those who identify as LGBTQ+. Can Juliet unravel the complexities of her life during this transformative summer experience?
Gabby Rivera is a queer Puerto Rican author from the Bronx. She wrote the 2017 America series, for Marvel Comics about a portal-punching queer Latina superhero. In 2022, Gabby became a Sundance Screenwriters Fellow and received the Advancing Justice Award from Catalyst California, alongside activist Dolores Huerta and politician Sheila Kuehl.
Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun by Jonny Garza Villa
Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun is a humorous and heartfelt novel about coming out, first love, and embracing your true self. Julián’s plan is to graduate, get into UCLA, and leave Corpus Christi, Texas – all to escape the stifling expectations that surround him. However, one impulsive tweet changes everything, throwing his carefully laid plans out of the closet. This book is a must-read, a Pura Belpré Honor Book, a finalist for the Texas Institute of Letters’ Jean Flynn Award for Best Young Adult Book, and a Kirkus Best YA Fiction of 2021 selection. The author, Jonny Garza Villa, is a “Sagittarius sun with a Capricorn everything else and is a former pretty good drag queen.”
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
Eager to affirm his gender identity to his traditional Latinx family, Yadriel, a trans boy, summons a ghost who stubbornly refuses to leave. They accidentally call upon Julian Diaz’s ghost, the school’s notorious troublemaker, who now won’t accepting his fate. Problematically, the more time they spend together, the harder it is to let go. Author Aiden Thomas is a New York Times Bestselling Author who is transgender and Latinx. Originally hailing from Oakland, California, they now reside in Portland, OR.
Caught in a Bad Fauxmance by Elle Gonzalez Rose
This is a fresh, fun, and contemporary rom-com about an aspiring artist who agrees to fake date one of his family’s longtime enemies. Their goal? To gather enough information to finally defeat their rivals.
Author Elle Gonzalez Rose is also a producer from New York. Check out her other books: 10 Things I Hate About Prom, The Girl You Know, and Marisol Acts the Part.
The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes
Sixteen-year-old Yamilet Flores would rather be known for her impeccable eyeliner skills than for being one of the few Mexican students in her new, predominantly white, affluent Catholic school. Here, at least, no one is aware of her sexuality, and Yami intends to keep it that way.
Author Sonora Reyes was born and raised in Arizona. Their other works include The Luis Ortega Survival Club and the Adult Romance novel The Broposal. They craft fiction that celebrates queer and Mexican narratives across various genres, with projects written for children and adults.
