In one of the oldest gay neighborhoods in the U.S., San Francisco’s Castro District, Becka Robbins operates out of a small room in Fabulosa Books, shipping boxes of donated books across the country.

In an initiative she calls “Books Not Bans,” Robbins sends LGBTQ titles—many of which are under the threat of censorship amid the rapidly growing movement by conservative groups and lawmakers to ban them from public schools and libraries.

The alarming rise in book bans nationwide stretches beyond just the queer, trans and nonbinary community, with states like Florida—which sparked a spate of “Don’t Say Gay” bills across the country—shining light on the battleground of Black history’s place in education.

Last year, over 4,000 book titles were targeted for censorship in public schools and libraries, according to a March report from the American Library Association that showed 2023 saw a 65% surge in ban attempts compared to 2022, with 2,571 book titles targeted. Of the over 4,000 titles, nearly half integrated voices and lived experiences of LGBTQ and BIPOC individuals.

Not only are these bans impacting the access to diverse literature, but they are also harming young readers who are LGBTQ by erasing their experiences from libraries and classrooms. Reading inclusive stories, according to Children’s Home Society of Minnesota and Lutheran Social Service, helps children to build empathy, engage in self-discovery, challenge stereotypes, foster inclusivity and become allies to the community.

Additionally, banning LGBTQ books communicates to young community members a harmful message. Toni Moore, a high school librarian in Kentucky, told We Need Diverse Books in 2022 that taking queer and trans books away from those who might see themselves in them “amplifies every bad feeling they’ve had about their self-worth and how they fit into society.”

Robbins told NPR in June that fiction teaches people how to dream.

“It teaches us how to connect with people who are not like ourselves, it teaches us how to listen and emphasize,” she said.

This Sunday is International Literacy Day, a holiday honoring the expansion of literacy and the illumination of young minds. In honor of diversity and amazing books, here is Reckon’s roundup of must-read LGBTQ titles for kids to help them better understand, cherish and celebrate these important stories.

1. “If You’re a Drag Queen and You Know It” by Lil Miss Hot Mess, illustrated by Olga de Dios

Strike a pose. Blow a kiss. Mouth the words. A fun, sing-along book with a drag twist that encourages kids to embrace all the playfulness of drag culture written by a founding member of Drag Story Hour.

1. “No One Owns the Colors” by Gianna Davy, illustrated by Brenda Rodriguez

Inspired by schoolyard experiences of the author’s own children, this melodic, rhythmic text provides the words and the confidence readers may need if someone says that their color—be it skin, shirt, shoes, or simply the crayon they love most—is wrong.

1. “Bodies Are Cool” by Tyler Feder

This cheerful love-your-body picture book for preschoolers is an exuberant read-aloud with bright and friendly illustrations to pore over. Feder writes: “My body, your body, every different kind of body! All of them are good bodies! BODIES ARE COOL!”

1. “Julián Is a Mermaid” by Jessica Love

In an exuberant picture book, a glimpse of costumed mermaids leaves one boy flooded with wonder and ready to dazzle the world. Mesmerizing and full of heart, Jessica Love’s author-illustrator debut is a jubilant picture of self-love and a radiant celebration of individuality.

1. “Antonio’s Card / La tarjeta de Antonio” by Rigoberto González, illustrated by Cecilia Álvarez

A tender story about a boy struggling to express his love for his mother and her partner in a nontraditional family. Rigoberto González’s bilingual story about a nontraditional family resonates with all children who have been faced with speaking up for themselves or for the people they love.

1. “Federico and All His Families” by Mili Hernández, illustrated by Gómez

Leaping roof to roof, Federico the cat visits all his families everyday: Tadeo and his grandparents, Anna and her two Moms; Virginia, with her Mom and Dad, Paula and her two Dads. All of them different, all of them loved by Federico. Unconditionally.

1. “A Family Is a Family Is a Family” by Sara O’Leary, illustrated by Qin Leng

When a teacher asks the children in her class to think about what makes their families special, the answers are all different in many ways — but the same in the one way that matters most of all.

1. “When Aidan Became a Brother” by Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita

This sweet and groundbreaking picture book, winner of the 2020 Stonewall Book Award, celebrates the changes in a transgender boy’s life, from his initial coming-out to becoming a big brother.

1. “Donovan’s Big Day” by Lesléa Newman, illustrated by Mike Dutton

Donovan’s two moms are getting married, and he can’t wait for the celebration to begin. After all, as ringbearer, he has a very important job to do.

1. “Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag” by Rob Sanders, illustrated by Steven Salerno

In this deeply moving and empowering true story, young readers will trace the life of the Gay Pride Flag, from its beginnings in 1978 with activist Harvey Milk and designer Gilbert Baker to its spanning of the globe and its role in today’s world.

1. “From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea” by Kai Cheng Thom and Kai Yun Ching, illustrated by Wai-Yant Li

In this captivating, beautifully imagined picture book about gender, identity, and the acceptance of the differences between us, Miu Lan faces many questions about who they are and who they may be. But one thing’s for sure: no matter what this child becomes, their mother will love them just the same.

1. “My Maddy” by Gayle E. Pitman, illustrated by Violet Tobacco

My Maddy has hazel eyes which are not brown or green. And my Maddy likes sporks because they are not quite a spoon or a fork. Most mommies are girls. Most daddies are boys. But lots of parents are neither boys nor girls.

1. “Annie’s Plaid Shirts” by Stacy B. Davids, illustrated by Rachael Balsaitis

Annie feels most comfortable when wearing her favorite plaid shirt, not dresses. So she comes up with a plan when she learns her family wants her to wear a dress to an upcoming wedding.

1. “A Princess of Great Daring!” by Tobi Hill-Meyer, illustrated by Eleanor Toczynski

When Jamie is ready to tell people that she’s really a girl inside, she becomes a princess of great daring in a game she plays with her best friends to gather her courage. She’s pleased (but not surprised) that her questing friends turn out to be just as loyal and true as any princess could want.

1. “Princess Princess Ever After” by K. O’Neill

A sweet and positive fairy tale in which two princesses meet and embark on an adventure to overcome their own personal obstacles.

1. “This Is Our Rainbow: 16 Stories of Her, Him, Them, and Us” by Katherine Locke and Nicole Melleby

The first LGBTQA anthology for middle schoolers featuring stories for every letter of the acronym, including realistic, fantasy, and sci-fi stories by authors like Justina Ireland, Marieke Nijkamp, Alex Gino, and more!

1. “Heartstopper” by Alice Oseman

Charlie, a highly-strung, openly gay over-thinker, and Nick, a cheerful, soft-hearted rugby player, meet at a British all-boys grammar school. Friendship blooms quickly, but could there be something more…?

1. “Bitter” by Akwaeke Emezi

This timely and riveting novel—a companion to the National Book Award finalist Pet—explores the power of youth, protest, and art.

1. “When You Look Out the Window” by Gayle E. Pitman, illustrated by Christopher Lyles

Describing the view from Phyllis and Del’s window, this book shows how one couple’s activism transformed their community — and had ripple effects throughout the world.

1. “The Boy and the Bindi” by Vivek Shraya, illustrated by Rajni Perera

A five-year-old South Asian boy becomes fascinated with his mother’s bindi, the red dot commonly worn by Hindu women to indicate the point at which creation begins, and wishes to have one of his own.