Penelope was named after her grandmother but struggled because she felt she was a boy. When he is 5 he tells his parents and family and they react just as one might hope in a moment like this- with love and support. Penelope desperately wants a Mohawk hairstyle so that people are less likely to think him a girl, so he gets one. His family and friends lovingly support him through this transition and ensure that he knows he is loved. A masterful piece of writing that so many people need to read.

A young girl spends her summers at her Grandad’s cottage by the sea. Her favourite thing to do there is to sit and listen to her Grandad’s stories about the adventures he and her Gramps had together. She hears about how they met and the wonderful memories they made together. Grandad talks about the adventures they had together in their camper and the young girl asks if he still has it. He does and she proposes that they create some new memories together in the camper. A beautiful story about love and family.

Absolutely love this #graphicnovelseries Heartstopper. This third installation of the series might just be my favourite. Charlie and Nick continue to figure out their relationship and whether they want to “go public” with all of their friends. On a school trip to Paris they learn more about each other and we, the readers, see the stresses and anxiety young gay people face as they figure out who they are and seek acceptance from those around them.

This book is definitely worthy of all the praise it has received. An intriguing story about surrounding Dia de Muertos where Yadriel is trying to prove himself to his family, who has rejected him being a brujo because he is transgender and gay, that he should be part of special rites of this day. Interweaving this with a mystery around the death of two teens and their spirits, this story is a winner. 

A simple but beautiful love story between two highschool boys. The simple art matches perfectly with the idea behind the story that #loveislove and it’s really not any more complicated than that. Fantastic graphic novel and well worth a read! Definitely want to check out volume 2 now.

Heather has two moms and she loves her little family. Heather is now starting school and is worried about leaving her mommies. On the first day of school she realizes how great school is with all of the activities she gets to do and the people she meets. At circle time the children are asked about their families and a couple of students talk about having moms and dad. Suddenly Heather is worried she is the only one without a dad. The teacher redirects the kids to each paint a picture of their family. As they hang their pictures we see how different each family is and the we are reminded that “Each family is special. The most important thing about a family is that all of the people in it love each other.”

I read this book in one sitting and I have had to sit and process everything I learned from this book. This Stonewall Honor Book is a must-have in all secondary libraries because I believe it could be so helpful to so many teens trying to figure out who they are. I also think it’s an essential read for educators and parents. I learned so much from this memoir (in graphic novel format) about the process, thoughts, emotions and trauma so many people have gone through, and are going through, on their journey to self-discovery and self-acceptance. Warning: mature content.

Loved the first book in the Heartstopper graphic novel series and loved the second one even more. Nick and Charlie continue to navigate their lives, their relationship, and their friends’ and family’s reaction to their budding romance. Looking forward to the third and fourth books in the series too!

Amir is a gay grade 12 student of Iranian descent who hasn’t come out to his family because he doesn’t think they will accept him. A classmate discovers his secret and blackmails him- he must pay him or he will announce Amir’s secret at grad. Amir is terrified and runs away to Rome. The story begins with his family being interviewed separately by airport police after they had a fight on the flight home from Rome. Between interviews and flashbacks to his life before and in Rome, we learn about the struggles Amir has faced being Iranian and gay, as well as what learns about himself in Rome. This story is brilliantly written and balances humour and the sadness of his story masterfully. A must read!