Scholastic, a leading publisher of children’s books, is advocating for teachers to incorporate LGBT-themed books into their curriculum for Pride Month, urging educators to “disrupt the status quo” and recognize that they “absolutely know queer children.”
In its 2024 guide for the annual “Read with Pride” initiative, Scholastic recommends a variety of books featuring LGBT content for children, including those as young as preschool age. The guide asserts that educators inevitably interact with queer children in their classrooms, libraries, and communities, regardless of whether those children are openly identifying as such.
“Whether or not they are out to themselves or you, you absolutely know queer children and interact with them in your classrooms, libraries, and communities,” the guide states. “Books and literature are never neutral; by engaging with queer literature for children and young adults, you are disrupting the status quo that implies being cisgender, heterosexual, and allosexual are the default. You are showing children an expanded way of thinking and being that validates all children and all people.”
Among the recommended readings for the youngest children is “My Mom Loves Me,” a book featuring a lesbian couple. For older children, ages eight to twelve, Scholastic suggests “Melissa,” a story about a transgender-identifying boy. Additionally, the guide includes recommendations for books with non-binary characters.
The initiative extends beyond literature, providing resources for LGBT-identifying youth such as The Trevor Project, an LGBT advocacy non-profit. Notably, The Trevor Project has been involved in promoting policies for schools to withhold students’ gender identities from their parents unless given explicit permission by the student.
“As a teacher, librarian, educator, or caregiver, how you interact with all children and teens around queerness matters,” the guide added “What literature you provide them with, and how you talk about both literature and identity, can have an immense, life-changing impact on the young people in your life.”
“Everyone benefits from books with authentic representation of queer identities,” it claimed.
