17 books for kids and teens to read during Pride Month

June isPride Month in Canada!Here are 17YA, middle-grade and picture books to check out.

Pride Puppy!by Robin Stevenson, illustrated by Julie McLaughlin

Pride Puppy!is a picture book about love, diversity and acceptance. When a family celebrates the annual Pride Day parade, their puppy goes missing. The rhyming alphabet book helps children learn their letters while following along as the family seeks to reunite with their beloved pet.

Pride Puppy!is for ages 3 to 5.

Robin Stevenson is the Victoria author of more than 25 books for kids and teens, including the board bookPride Colors,the picture bookGhost's Journey: A Refugee Storyand thenonfiction booksKid ActivistsandPride.

Julie McLaughlin is and artist and illustrator from B.C. Her other books includeLittle CloudandThe Art of the Possible. She won the 2015 Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children's Non-Fiction forWhy We Live Where We Live.

The Bare Naked Bookby Kathy Stinson, illustrated by Melissa Cho

The Bare Naked Bookis a classic picture book that has been revised with gender diversity and inclusion in mind. The book highlightsdifferent types of bodies, including people with visible disabilities,queer and trans people.

The Bare Naked Bookis for ages 3-5.

Kathy Stinson is a prolific Canadian children's writer from Ontario. She is the author of more than 30 children's books, includingRed is BestandThe Man with the Violin.

Melissa Cho is a Canadian designer, illustrator and animator.

Mom Marries Mum!by Ken Setterington, illustrated by Alice Priestley

This picture book celebrates the diversity of family. InMom Marries Mum!two siblings are over the moon when they learn that their mom and mum have decided to get married.

Mom Marries Mum!is for ages 0-3.

Ken Setterington is a writer, storyteller, children's book reviewerand librarian from Toronto. He is also a columnist for CBC Radio'sThe Next Chapter. His other children's books includeMom and Mum are Getting MarriedandBranded by the Pink Triangle.

Alice Priestley is an artist and illustrator from Toronto. She has illustrated several children's books, includingRainbows in the Darkby Jan Coates,Winning the Girl of the SeabyBrenda SilsbeandLights for GitabyRachna Gilmore.

Leopold's Leotardby Rhiannon Wallace, illustrated by Risa Hugo

Leopold's Leotardis about a boy who loves to dance. The picture book is about what happens when Leopold learns more about acceptance and overcoming fears in time for the year-end recital.

Leopold's Leotardis for ages 3 to 5.

Rhiannon Wallace is a children's author, librarian and archivist from Vancouver.

Risa Hugo is anartist and illustrator from B.C. Sheis also the illustrator ofthe picture bookWhy Are You So Quiet?

A Plan for Popsby Heather Smith, illustrated by Brooke Kerrigan

A Plan for Popsis a picture book about a child named Lou who loves spending Saturdays with Grandad and Pops. Grandad reads books about science, Pops listens to rock and roll and Lou loves learning about both. But when Pops falls and needs a wheelchair, it's up to Lou and Grandad to lift his spirits.

A Plan for Popswas a finalist for the 2020 Blue Spruce Award.

A Plan for Popsis for ages 3 to 5.

Originally from Newfoundland, Heather Smith, also known as Heather T. Smith, is a YAauthor based in Waterloo, Ont. Smith is the author of booksThe Agony of Bun O'Keefe,Angus All Aglow,BaygirlandEbb & Flow.

Brooke Kerrigan has illustrated over 10 picture books and splits her time between Ontario and France.

I PromisebyCatherine Hernandez, illustrated by Syrus Marcus Ware

I Promiseis a portrayal of all the joys and challenges of parenting and a celebration of the many different forms that loving families come in.

I Promiseis for readers aged3-8.

• This children's book shows that queer comes in all colours, shapes and sizes

Catherine Hernandezis a playwright, performer and the author of the novelsScarboroughandCrosshairs.

Syrus Marcus Ware is avisual artist, activist and scholar whose work has appeared in theArt Gallery of Ontario, the Globe and Mail and inNuit Blanche. Ware is also an editor for the nonfiction bookUntil We Are Free,which reflects on the Black Lives Matter movement in Canada. They contributed the pieceEmmettto21 Black Futures,which you can watch now on CBC Gem.

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Meby Mariko Tamaki, illustrated by Rosemary Valero-O'Connell

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Meis a YA graphic novel about a teenage girl named Freddy who can't seem to quit her girlfriend, the popular, enigmatic Laura Dean. Though they keep breaking up and getting back together, Freddy frets over whether to forgive Laura's many indiscretions all the while taking her friendships for granted.

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Meis for ages 14 and up.

• Why writing realistic teenage stories and comic books is important to Mariko Tamaki

Mariko Tamaki is an award-winningCanadian comics writer,contributing to Marvel and DC Comics. She's based in California. Her other books includeSkim,(you) Set Me On FireandThis One Summer.

Valero-O'Connell is an American illustrator and cartoonist.

The Fabulous Zed Watson!by Basil Sylvester & Kevin Sylvester

The Fabulous Zed Watson!features a non-binary lead character who embarks on "the literary scavenger hunt and road trip of a lifetime."

When lead character Zed discovers a mystery surrounding an unpublished novel calledThe Monster's Castle, they becomea member of a small but dedicated legion devoted to finding the long-buried text. When a breakthrough discovery leads Zed to the route that they are sure will take them to the treasure, they embark on a road trip with their shy, flora-loving neighbour, Gabe, and his sister, Sam, a geologist who is driving back to college in Arizona.

The Fabulous Zed Watson!is for ages 9 to 12.

• Read an excerpt of Basil and Kevin Sylvester's middle-grade novel, The Fabulous Zed Watson!

Basil Sylvester is a non-binary writer based in Toronto. Their father, Kevin Sylvester, is a broadcaster and the award-winning illustrator and writer of middle-grade books such as the Neil Flamb Capers series and the MiNRS space adventure series.

The Next Chapter17:03Basil and Kevin Sylvester on The Fabulous Zed Watson!

Father and child duo, Basil and Kevin Sylvester, talk to Shelagh Rogers about their book The Fabulous Zed Watson!

Green Glass Ghostsby Rae Spoon, illustrated by Gem Hall

Green Glass Ghostsis a YA novelabout gender identity and seeking a better life. When a queer young person leaves behind a troubled home situation, they arrive in downtown Vancouver with a dream of becoming a successful musician. But the protagonist must navigate jealousy, abuse and trauma to reach their desired outcome in life playing live music in front of a crowd.

Green Glass Ghostsis for ages 14 and up.

Rae Spoon is a non-binary musician, producer and author from Calgary, who currently lives in Victoria. Their otherbooks includeFirst Spring Grass FireandGender Failure,which was co-written with Ivan Coyote.

Gem Hall is an interdisciplinary artist currently based on Coast Salish lands.

The Street Belongs to Usby Karleen Pendleton Jimnez

The Street Belongs to Usis a middle-grade book about queer identity featuring two best friends in 1980s Los Angeles. When "tomboy"Alex and troubled kid Wolf find that their street is under construction one hot summer, they see an opportunity to start a street war with the rival kids in the neighbourhood. But Alex and Wolf find themselves in over their head when the friendly battles start to get out of control.

The Street Belongs to Usis for ages 8 to 12.

Karleen Pendleton Jimnez is an American Canadian writer and academic.She is a professor of education at Trent University and is the creator ofTomboy,a film about a young tomboy who is bullied.

Bruisedby Tanya Boteju

Bruisedis a YA novel about Daya Wijesinghe, a teen girl who navigates first love and gender identity after a family tragedy. After a tragic accident results in the death of her parents, Daya has taken to bruising herself as a way to cope with her grief. It leads her to the physical and colourful world of roller derby.Bruisedexplores Daya's healing process and journey to wellness.

Bruisedis for ages 14 and up.

• Tanya Boteju's YA novelBruisedexplores the bold and beautiful world of roller derby

Tanya Boteju is an author and educator based in Vancouver. She is also the author of the YA novelKings, Queens and In-Betweens.

The Next Chapter3:01Tanya Boteju on Bruised

Tanya Boteju on her latest YA book, Bruised.

A Dark and Hollow Starby Ashley Shuttleworth

A Dark and Hollow Staris a YA novel about four LGBTQ teens who have amagical connection to a series of unspeakable crimes that happen in Toronto. The quartet must join forces to uncover the identity of the mysterious culprit and failure is not an option, unless they wish to destroy the tenuous balance between the human and faerie worlds.

A Dark and Hollow Staris for ages 14 and up.

Ashley Shuttleworth is a YA author originally from British Columbia and now based in Ontario.A Dark and Hollow Staris their first book.

Zara Hossain is Hereby Sabina Khan

Zara Hossain is Hereis a YA novel that features themes of love, culture and gender diversity.Zara Hossain is the only Muslim teen at her Texas high school, which makes fitting in a bit of a challenge. When a bullying incident escalates into a violent crime, Zara is forced to choose between the only home she's ever known or finally making a stand.

Zara Hossain is Hereis for ages 14 and up.

• Sabina Khan on writing a YA novel about a Muslim teen who's out and proud

Sabina Khan is a Muslim author and educator based in British Columbia and originally from Bangladesh.She is also the author ofThe Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali.

Indivisible by Daniel Aleman

Indivisibleis a YA novel about an American-born LGBTQ teen namedMateo Garcia of Mexican descent.Mateo's parentsareundocumented immigrants and, when they are taken byU.S.Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),Mateomust quickly learn to understandwho he is and his place in the world.

Indivisibleis for ages 14 and up.

Daniel Aleman is a Toronto-based author and writer originally from Mexico City.Indivisibleis his debut YA novel.

When You Get the Chance by Tom Ryan and Robin Stevenson

InWhen You Get the Chance,Mark and his cousin Taliaare teens who live on opposite coasts Mark in Halifax and Talia in Victoria. The cousins, who are both queer,reunite after afamily argument had separated the cousins for years. When theydecide to go on a road trip to Toronto, they embark on an adventure where they meet friends old and new and figure out their identity along the way.

When You Get the Chanceis for ages 14 and up.

Tom Ryan is the author of several books for young readers includingI Hope You're Listening. He spends his time living between Ontario and Nova Scotia.

Stevenson is the Victoria author of more than 25 books for kids and teens, including the board bookPride Colors, the picture bookGhost's Journeyand the nonfiction booksKid ActivistsandPride. Her bookPride Puppy!is also on this list.

Aetherboundby E.K. Johnston

Aetherboundis a story of space survival. While on a long-haul space cruiser, Pendt Harland discovers that she is destined for something more when it is revealed that her DNA has mutated. During a layover at a space station, Pendt manages to escape and hatches a plan to take over the facility and realize her true destiny.

Aetherboundis for ages 14 and up.

• E.K. Johnston on what we can learn from William Shakespeare

E.K. Johnston is a YA novelist and forensic archaeologistfrom Statford, Ont. She is the author ofThe Story of Owen, A Thousand Nights, SpindleandExit, Pursued by a Bear,which won theAmy Mathers Teen Book Award in 2017.

The Boi of Feather and Steelby Adan Jerreat-Poole

The Boi of Feather and Steelis a YA fantasy about a supernatural assassin and an adventure involving a stolen magic item. Tav is a non-binary, purple-haired, motorcycle-riding teenager who can see magic. But they struggle with their abilities and identity just as an army of witches emerge to create conflict in the world they live in.

The Boi of Feather and Steelis for ages 14 and up.

Adan Jerreat-Poole is a writer from Kingston, Ont., and a PhD candidate in English and cultural studies at McMaster University.They are also the author ofThe Girl of Hawthorn and Glass.