Research Guides: IMC Book Displays: Pride Month

What Is Pride Month?

“Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month is currently celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. The Stonewall Uprising was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. In the United States the last Sunday in June was initially celebrated as 'Gay Pride Day,' but the actual day was flexible. In major cities across the nation the 'day' soon grew to encompass a month-long series of events. Today, celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia and concerts, and LGBTQ Pride Month events attract millions of participants around the world. Memorials are held during this month for those members of the community who have been lost to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS. The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally.”

Source: Library of Congress

Presented annually, the Stonewall Book Award is presented to children’s and young adult books of exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience. See the IMC's book list of past Stonewall Book Award winners.

Recent Stonewall Book Award Winners

Love, Violet

Winner of the 2023 Stonewall Book Award for Children
By Charlotte Sullivan Wild
Recommended: Ages 6-8
Pages: 32
Summary: "Of all the kids in Violet's class, only one leaves her speechless: Mira. But every time Violet tries to tell Mira how she feels, Violet goes shy. As Valentine's Day approaches, Violet is determined to tell Mira just how special she is." --From Publisher's Description

Kapaemahu

2023 Stonewall Honor
By Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu
Recommended: Ages 4-8
Pages: 32
Summary: "Four individuals of dual male and female spirit bring their healing arts from Tahiti to Hawaii, where they are beloved for their gentle ways and miraculous cures." --From Publisher's Description

Strong

2023 Stonewall Honor
By Rob Kearney
Recommended: Ages 4-8
Pages: 34
Summary: "This inspirational picture book memoir from the world's first openly gay professional strongman competitor speaks to the joyful power of discovering your strengths." --From Publisher's Description

When the Angels Left the Old Country

Winner of the 2023 Stonewall Book Award for Young Adults
By Sacha Lamb
Recommended: Grades 7-12
Pages: 400
Summary: "Uriel the angel and Little Ash the demon are the only two supernatural creatures in their shtetl. When one of the young people from the village, Essie, goes missing, Uriel and Little Ash set off to find her. But there are obstacles ahead of them as difficult as what they've left behind." --From Publisher's Description

In the Key of Us

2023 Stonewall Honor
By Mariama J. Lockington
Recommended: Ages 8 to 12
Pages: 348
Summary: "12-year-old Andi has suffered from anxiety attacks ever since her mother died. Zora starting hurting herself whenever she feels out of control. Now they are both at Camp Harmony, an elite summer music camp, where they find themselves increasingly drawn to each other." --From Publisher's Description

I Kissed Shara Wheeler

2023 Stonewall Honor
By Casey McQuiston
Recommended: Ages 13-18
Pages: 355
Summary: "After 17-year-olds Chloe and Shara, Chloe's rival for valedictorian, kiss, Shara vanishes. During the search, Chloe and others start to suspect there might be more to Shara and her small Alabama town than she thought." --From Publisher's Description

Kings of B'more

2023 Stonewall Honor
By R. Eric Thomas
Recommended: Grades 7 to 9
Pages: 410
Summary: "Propelled by his best friend's impending move out of state and inspired by Ferris Bueller's Day Off, sixteen-year-old Harrison plans a farewell through Baltimore that includes a road trip, their first Pride, and a rooftop dance party." --From Publisher's Description

Man o' War

2023 Stonewall Honor
By Cory McCarthy
Recommended: Ages 14 and Up
Pages: 320
Summary: "On a field trip to SeaPlanet, 17-year-old Arab-American high school swimmer River has a chance encounter with Indy, a happy, healthy queer person, which sets off a wrenching journey of self-discovery, from gender dysphoria, through affirmation surgery, to true love." --From Publisher's Description

The Summer of Bitter and Sweet

2023 Stonewall Honor
By Jen Ferguson
Recommended: Grades 8 to 12
Pages: 360
Summary: "Lou has enough confusion in front of her this summer. She'll be working with her newly ex-boyfriend and her recently-returned former best friend. Then she gets a letter from her biological father in prison, and Lou must decide if she wants to meet him or ignore him forever." --From Publisher's Description