I was full of optimism at the beginning of the year, when I posted about participating in a diversity read-along. I haven’t linked a single review, nor am I sure that I’m reading the right topic in the right month. But if I keep up my pace, I am still on track to reach my personal goal of reading 60 books by authors of color – so far I’m at 32 books by authors of color, plus 9 with LGBTQ main characters.
African-American
Picture Book
- Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora
Middle Grade
- So Done by Paula Chase
- Last Last-Day-of-Summer by Lamar Giles, illustrated by Dapo Adeola
- Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson
- Journey of Little Charlie by Christopher Paul Curtis
- New Kid by Jerry Craft
Teen
- Pride by Ibi Zoboi
Asian
Picture Book
- Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin
Middle Grade
- Pie in the Sky by Remy Lai
- Peasprout Chen: Battle of Champions by Henry Lien
Teen
- Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang
Latinx
Early Chapter
- Juana & Lucas: Big Problemas by Juana Medina
Middle Grade
- Lucky Broken Girl by Ruth Behar
- Love Sugar Magic: A Sprinkle of Spirits by Anna Meriano
- Love Sugar Magic: Dash of Trouble. by Anna Meriano (reread, with my daughter)
- Marcus Vega Doesn’t Speak Spanish by Pablo Cartaya
- Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina
Teen
- Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson
Middle East
Teen
- Escape from Syria by Samya Kullab, Jackie Roche, Mike Freiheit
Native
Teen
- Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith
South Asian
Middle Grade
- The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani
- Midsummer’s Mayhem by Rajani LaRocca
- Serpent’s Secret by Sayantani DasGupta (reread, with my daughter)
- Game of Stars by Sayantani DasGupta
LGBTQ
Middle Grade
- Girl with a Dragon Heart by Stephanie Burgis
- Hidden Witch by Molly Ostertag
- Where the Heart Is by Jo Knowles
Teen
- Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang
- Queer as a Five Dollar Bill by Lee Wind
- Summer of Salt by Katrina Leno
Adult
- Witchmark by C.L. Polk
Looking at this list, I see some missions for myself: finish writing reviews for many of the books here, and keep reading, including filling in gaps, like middle grade from Middle Eastern authors, and trans books. Any suggestions for middle grade or teen fiction – preferable fantasy or science fiction with trans protagonists? or any other diverse books you want to share with me?
Just added more books to my ever expanding to be read pile!!! Thank you for the tips!
You’re welcome, and hope you enjoy!
There are so many great books on this list! It makes my heart happy to see this.
Thank you so much, Brandy! That means a lot.
Pantomime by Laura Lam is fantasy YA that features an intersex genderfluid protagonist (not own voices, though). It’s the first in a trilogy.
Thank you! I’ll have to look into that.