In honor of October’s LGBT History Month, this week’s Butler Bookshelf features books in our collection centering LGBTQIA+ characters. Take Green, for instance, non-binary, queer middle schooler who is an active member of their school’s queer affinity group, Rainbow Spectrum. When Green decides to join the backstage crew with their friend Ronnie for their school’s creative, nontraditional version of the play The Wizard of Oz, Green soon realizes they’ve developed a crush on Ronnie. But how does Ronnie feel, and how will this affect their friendship? Join Green’s journey navigating middle school joys and complexities in this affirming, feel-good story from the award-winning author Alex Gino.

For more LGBTQIA+ stories, check out these titles in our collection below!

Being Ace
Edited by Madeline Dyer
Published by Page Street YA
Available October 10, 2023!

The Borrow a Boyfriend Club
Written by Page Powars
Published by Delacorte Press
Available now!

Brooms
Written by Jasmine Walls and Illustrated by Teo DuVall
Published by Levine Querido
Available October 10, 2023!

Green
Written by Alex Gino
Published by Scholastic Press
Available now!

Ryan and Avery
Written by David Levithan
Published by Alfred A. Knopf
Available now!