Books with LGBTQ+ characters for ages 8+

A funny, enchanting adventure about a scared boy, a magical fox, a monstrous shape-shifting beast and finding the courage to protect what you love.

An illustrated diary-style novel in the mode of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Tom Gates, with a sparky narrator who perfectly captures the voice of an upper primary age girl and her thoughts about life. A sensitive and funny story.

Otis and his mate Jagger are the class weirdos, so they’re surprised to get an invite to cool-kid Rocco’s sleepover party! When they wake up the next day, however, all hell has broken loose… and it’s time to unravel the mystery of exactly what happened.

How will a sleepy village react when Bea attempts to bring the glitter and rainbows of Pride to their doorstep?

A beautifully written and everyday story of LGBTQ family life that’s perfect for any middle grade reader, especially for children who are just starting secondary school.

Edie Eckhart is a feisty, funny 11-year-old who has cerebral palsy. She has to make some new special relationships when she moves to secondary school and her best friend goes into a different class. An entertaining diary-format book that sensitively explores growing up. 

When Arch-Aunt Schadenfreude is attacked during a family reunion, Shenanigan Swift and her sisters must work together to identify the would-be killer before they strike again. This hugely entertaining murder mystery is brimming with dire villains, secret passageways and deadly games of Scrabble.

James is being bullied at school, while dealing with grief and normal Year 6 worries. Can James find the sparkle in his life again? Brilliantly deals with bullying, friendship issues and working out who you are.

Tuva is torn between two friendship groups – those who fall in love and those who don’t. But where does she fit? Charming and reflective of many a ​‘tween’s’ experience.  

When Max meets Tal and his two dads, he learns that there are lots of different ways to be a man, and that his own dad’s expectations of him at such a young age aren’t fair. An utterly remarkable book about families, being a boy and coping with loss. 

Told entirely in emails and letters, this sensitive, often funny book examines what it means to be a family, and what happens when families change. Strong and vivid characterisation makes us feel we really know the characters. 

Archie’s mum and dad are splitting up because Archie’s dad is gay. Can a Pride parade give Archie’s family a way of coming together again? 

Hazel attempts to make friends for the first time, and to challenge the behaviour of a boy in her class. An inspiring read.