Middle-Grade LGBTQ+

This is a list of middle-grade LGBTQ+ books I compiled for a collection development project, attempting to show as many representations as possible within 20 titles. I know from experience how hard it can be to find LGBTQ+ middle-grade books, particularly with certain representations, so I thought others might find it helpful for their own collection development and reader's advisory. 

This is by no means a comprehensive list and was designed to fill the gaps in a specific collection. I based selection on awards (primarily Lambda and Stonewall), the ALA Rainbow List, professional reviews, and my own reviews as I have personally read many of these. I have starred my personal favorites and linked to my own reviews on Goodreads where applicable. There have been quite a few new books published in the last year or so that I had not yet become aware of when I first compiled this list last fall, so please, feel free to add more in the comments! 

Fiction

*Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World. Blake, A. H. (2018). New York: Little Brown & Company. ISBN-13: 9780316515467 (Hardback)

This book is a 2019 Stonewall Award honor book, is listed on the ALA Rainbow List, and received several favorable reviews. SLJ describes it as “filling a much-needed gap in middle grade literature, this story addresses not just the topic of a first crush, but also the invisibility frequently felt by middle children… A first purchase for public and school libraries,” (Frencham, 2018). Ivy’s family has suffered the loss of their home in a tornado and subsequent displacement, as well as dealing with newborn twins, which leaves Ivy feeling a bit invisible and with no one to turn to when she begins questioning her feelings for another girl and her dreams and what they mean. In addition to Ivy, there is also a minor bisexual teenage character and an adult lesbian who helps Ivy and her family. Though Ivy and her family are white, other ethnicities are represented as well. My Full Review

The Mighty Heart of Sunny St. James. Blake, A. H. (2019). New York: Little Brown & Company. ISBN-13: 9780316515535 (Hardback)

Called a “heartwarming and engaging tale that treats Sunny's emerging sexual identity with care, authenticity, and age appropriateness. A first purchase for public and school-libraries” by SLJ (Frencham, 2019) and “an accomplished, layered, moving story featuring a girl questioning her sexuality…a welcome addition” in a starred Booklist review (Barnes, 2019), this book tells the story of a young girl who has just had a heart transplant and whose biological mother has reappeared in her life after abandoning her as a toddler, and also questioning her sexuality as she finds herself attracted to her best friend rather than the boy she thought she wanted to kiss. In addition to filling the need for middle-grade LGTBQ+ materials, this book also features ethnically diverse characters, including Latinx, Asian, and African-American. The author was previously honored by the Stonewall Award committee (see above). My Review

*Zenobia July. Bunker, L. (2019). New York: Penguin Books for Young Readers. ISBN-13: 9780451479402 (Hardback)

This “own voices” book provides greatly needed representation of several queer identities in addition to that of the main character, a transgender girl. After the deaths of both of her parents, Zenobia is sent to live with her aunt Lucy and her wife and is finally allowed to be her true self. She becomes friends with a group of “misfits” who are delightfully diverse, quirky, and queer, and uses her computer skills to solve the mystery of who is hacking the school’s website with anti-Muslim and anti-queer hate-speech. Kirkus Reviews (2019) gave it a favorable review, saying “Zenobia is an endearing white trans girl heroine, with an accessible amount of angst and anxiety that never tips over into titillating tragedy. Her community of weirdos and queers (including her aunts' drag-queen friend Sprink) offers desperately needed representation. Hijab-wearing Congolese immigrant Dyna and Asian Elijah provide some racial diversity…A fun read that manages to feel solidly traditional while breaking new ground.” My Review

Hurricane Child. Callender, K. (2018). New York: Scholastic, Inc. ISBN-13: 9781338129304 (Hardback)

This book is one of the very few to show representation of a queer person of color, as well as portraying Caribbean culture. The main character, Caroline, was born during a hurricane, which is perceived as being unlucky in her homeland of the Virgin Islands. She is dealing with the loss of her mother, who left her and her father several years before, and is bullied unmercifully by not only her classmates, but by her teacher as well, in part for being very dark skinned. She is befriended by a new girl, Kalinda, and soon begins to question whether her feelings for Kalinda go beyond friendship, and whether Kalinda feels the same. The book is listed on the ALA Rainbow List Top 10, and won both the Stonewall and Lambda book awards for LGBTQ+ children’s literature. A SLJ reviewer called Hurricane Child “An excellent and nuanced coming-of-age tale with a dash of magical realism for readers who enjoy character-driven novels, especially those with middle grade LGBTQ+ characterizations.” (Gafkowitz, 2018). My Review

*Star-Crossed. Dee, B. (2017). New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN-13: 9781481478489 (Hardback).

This book is a rare story with implied bisexual representation as the main character begins to realize she is attracted to another girl and decides to explore those feelings, without ruling out the possibility of also being attracted to boys. It is very age-appropriate, especially in the sense that she does not feel the need to assign any particular label to how she feels at this young age. This book was a Goodreads Book of the Year nominee and a Top 10 on the 2018 ALA Rainbow List. SLJ describes it as “a sweet coming-out story for junior high readers. The clever Shakespeare content is a bonus, and Dee deserves praise for a strong example of gender-blind casting. The charming cover art accurately portrays the spirit of the novel. VERDICT A fine choice for middle school libraries in need of accessible LGBTQ stories.” (Fultz, 2017) and Publisher’s Weekly called it a “welcome addition to the middle grade LGBTQ bookshelf” (Grinberg, 2017). My Review

George. Gino, A. (2015). New York: Scholastic. ISBN-13: 9780545812542 (Hardback)

*NOTE - This book has been re-released with the title Melissa (2022).*

A groundbreaking book about a transgender child written by a transgender author, George tells the story about a transgender girl that sees herself as Melissa, but everyone else sees as a boy named George. The reader follows the main character as she struggles with her identity and being brave enough to tell her family and best friends. George was the winner of the 2016 Stonewall award for LGBTQ+ literature for children, nominated for the NCTE Charlotte Hack award, and selected for the ALA Rainbow List. This book received several favorable reviews, including starred reviews from Booklist, calling it “a sensitive, insightful portrayal of a transgender child coming to terms with gender identity,” (Cart, 2015), and SLJ, declaring it “a required purchase for any collection that serves a middle grade population” (Abrams, 2015). My Review

The Pants Project. Clarke, C. (2017). Napierville, IL: The Sourcebook, Inc. ISBN-13: 9781492638094 (Hardback)

The Pants Project provides difficult to find representation of a transgender boy in middle grade literature, telling the story of Liv, who is comfortable in his own skin, but not quite ready to be out to family and friends, and his fight against the outdated school dress code requiring girls, which the school sees him as, to wear skirts. The story provides additional representation of a family headed by a same-sex couple as Liv has two moms. Liv tells his story in a strong voice, with a touch of humor, making it a fun read and the character very relatable. Though ineligible for most awards because the author is British, this book garnered several favorable reviews. Kirkus Reviews (2017) said “A fine addition to LGBTQ children's literature… Liv's two moms add further dimension to a tale that unabashedly affirms the importance of accepting and celebrating differences,” and SLJ called it “A strong purchase, especially in light of the need for younger middle grade fiction featuring transgender characters.” (Frencham, 2017). My Review

Gracefully Grayson. Polansky, A. (2016 [2014]). New York: Hyperion. ISBN-13: 9781484723654 (Paperback)

This book was named as one of the Top 10 on the 2016 ALA Rainbow List, and tells the story of Grayson, an orphaned transgender girl living with her aunt and uncle who is still coming to terms with her identity. She tries out for the role of Persephone in the school play as a chance to experiment with expressing a female identity. Gracefully Grayson received several favorable reviews, with Horn Book Magazine saying “Polonsky captures the loneliness of a child resigned to disappear rather than be rejected, and then the courageous risk that child eventually takes to be seen for who she is. The first-person narration successfully positions readers to experience Grayson's confusion, fear, pain, and triumphs as they happen, lending an immediate and intimate feel to the narrative.” (Hardeson, 2014), and Kirkus (2014) reporting “Grayson's journey is portrayed with gentleness and respect, and readers will root for the show to go on. A kind and earnest look at a young transgender adolescent's experience.” SCJ notes “This title has less obvious and didactic intent than other novels featuring transgender protagonists” and calls it “A welcome addition to a burgeoning genre” (Lukoff, 2014).

Better Nate Than Ever. Federle, T. (2013). New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN-13: 9781442446892 (Hardback)

This is the first of an ongoing series (books 2 & 3 are listed below as well) that has won several honors and high praise for its portrayal of an adolescent boy who runs off to New York to pursue his goal of performing on Broadway, and deals with issues of family dysfunction, bullying and sexuality along the way. Though it can be inferred that Nate will eventually realize he is gay, it is not stated explicitly, and at this point, he is in no rush to figure it all out or label himself. Better Nate Than Ever was a 2014 Stonewall Honor book as well as a Lambda Award nominee, and honored by several other lesser known awards for youth literature, as well as being one of Publishers Weekly “Best Children’s Books 2013”. It received several favorable reviews, including one from Kirkus (2013) which said “Federle's debut addresses--deftly--big and solemn issues in the second half of the novel, particularly with regard to family, sexuality and religion. Bravo, Nate!”

Five, Six, Seven, Nate. Federle, T. (2014). New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN-13: 9781442446939 (Hardback)

This second book in the Nate trilogy continues to follow Nate’s story through drama, comedy, tragedy and romance in New York after he lands a role in the chorus in a musical adaptation of E.T. This installment of the series was the winner of the 2015 Lambda award for LGBTQ youth literature, and also received numerous favorable reviews. Kirkus Reviews (2014) observed “While humor is clearly one of Federle's strengths, what sets this novel apart is how beautifully he explores Nate's vulnerabilities, particularly with regard to his sexuality, his family and his own self-esteem”; Horn Book Magazine (2014) said “Federle addresses his likable character's burgeoning interest in boys in a laudably straightforward way, making this entertaining backstage pass especially rewarding,” and SLJ found “The story approaches head-on mature issues such as sexuality, bullying, and terminal illness with humor and tenderness.” (Verbrugge, 2014).

Nate Expectations. Federle, T. (2018). New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN-13: 9781481404129 (Hardback)

In the conclusion to this award-winning story, Nate returns home to his freshman year in high school after ET: The Musical closes abruptly, where he continues his journey of self-discovery, and eventually comes out to his family and friends. This series provides one of the few middle-grade/young YA representations of a young male adolescent questioning his sexuality and coming out as gay. While this has not won as many awards and honors as the first two books, it is listed on the ALA Rainbow list and has several favorable reviews. Horn Book (2019) says “Smart and snappy prose, lighthearted drama, and great characterizations make for an entertaining and moving trilogy finale.” and Kirkus Reviews (2019) describes it as “An exceptional swan song for a beloved character.”

*Summer of a Thousand Pies. Dilloway, M. (2019). New York: HarperCollins. ISBN-13: 9780062803467 (Hardback)

This book tells the touching story of Cady, who had been living homeless with her Dad for several years after the death of her mother. When he shows up at her school drunk and is arrested, Cady is sent to live with her aunt Michelle, who she has never met, and Michelle’s partner Suzanne. There she begins to build a new life with friends and family, and learns to trust again. This provides representation for those families headed by same-sex couples, and the story also address the issues of homelessness and undocumented immigrants. Cady is of Mexican descent, and her new friend and his family are recent immigrants. Kirkus Reviews (2019) calls it “a gentle mix of sweet and savory themes with a lovable and diverse cast that includes an undocumented Latinx family and a same-sex couple” and Booklist says “[Cady’s] reactions reflect the journey of a child who has had to take on too much responsibility, and her story is inspiring and hopeful without oversimplifying Cady's experiences. The appended recipes for Cady's pies add a sweet touch to this tender coming-of-age story, perfect for fans for Lynda Mullaly Hunt and Ali Benjamin.” (Thompson, 2019).

Ashes to Asheville. Dooley, S. (2017). New York: Penguin Young Readers Group. ISBN-13: 9780399165047 (Hardback)

This Lambda award nominee portrays the difficulties families with same-sex parents faced prior to the Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage, and may still face. Twelve-year old Ophelia, better known as “Fella”, is torn from the only family she knows after her biological mother dies and the court gives custody to her grandmother, someone she doesn’t even know, rather than let her stay with her other mother, Mama Shannon, and her sister Zoey. Booklist’s starred review said “The court battle for Fella's custody shows the extent to which state battles over same-sex marriage create fissures in families and have an enduring and tragic impact on the lives of young people. A tender, touching, and timely read.” (Barnes, 2017) and SLJ finds “Dooley makes readers stop and think about what really constitutes a family and whether laws should ultimately define those parameters…Poignantly told with verve and a splash of humor, this novel explores sensitive topics with care and belongs in all middle grade collections.” (Shaw, 2017). 

*The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher. Levy, D. A. (2015). New York: Random House Children’s Books. ISBN-13: 9780385376556 (Paperback)

In the vein of Beverly Cleary, Judy Blume, and Jeanne Birdsall, Dana Levy tells the story of a lovable, boisterous family and their everyday (mis)adventures, only this multi-racial family just happens to have two dads and four adopted sons. Each of the four boys has very different personalities and interests, and deal with everyday issues and problems, so there is something relatable for almost any reader. SLJ gave it a starred review, saying "With its semi-episodic structure, laugh-out-loud humor, and mix of zaniness and love, Levy's debut offers something truly significant: a middle-grade family story featuring gay parents and interracial families that is never about either issue." (Ratzan, 2015) and “a great choice for libraries wanting to diversify their collections.” (Horn, 2015). Kirkus Reviews (2015) said “This book is notable for its matter-of-fact depiction of an atypical family, the same-sex couple and their ethnically diverse children: two white, one African-American, one adopted from India. The boys are very different from one another but closely tied with warm family bonds. Their banter is realistic, and the disorder of their everyday lives, convincing. The Fletcher family rules!” I personally found it an absolute delight!

*To Night Owl From Dogfish. Sloan, H. G. & Wolitzer, M. (2019). New York: Dial Books for Young Readers. ISBN-13: 9780525553236 (Hardback)

Many readers have described this story as a modern re-telling of The Parent Trap with a twist. In this story, the parents are two gay men, each with a daughter, who have been dating, and the girls are not biologically related. The girls are sent to the same summer camp in order to get to know one another, and after a rough start, eventually become friends. Meanwhile, however, their dads have broken up and the girls plot to get them back together so they can be a family. A great story that shows there are many ways to form a family. Kirkus Reviews (2018) notes the characters are of mixed heritage, one girl is African-American and Brazilian and the other is of Ukranian Jewish descent, and calls the story “A sweet and amusing tale that celebrates diversity while reinforcing the power of love and the importance of family.” SLJ also gives a favorable review, summarizing “While remaining lighthearted, the narrative successfully weaves in important topics like puberty, religion, surrogacy, race, and sexual orientation, reminiscent of Judy Blume's signature style…An imaginative and compelling middle-grade novel depicting modern friendships and modern families.” (Hickey, 2019). My Review

Graphic Novels

Princess Princess Ever After. O’Neill, K. (2016 [2014]). New York: Simon & Schuster. 

ISBN-13: 9781620103401 (Hardback)

This story featuring diverse characters helps to fill the gap in LGTBQ+ graphic novels for middle-grade/young YA readers, with the full-figured Princess Sadie being rescued by the adventurous and heroic Princess Amira. Together, they help save a hapless prince and restore Sadie’s rightful place in her kingdom, and eventually marry. This book has received many favorable reviews and recognition, being named to the 2017 ALA Rainbow List Top Ten, YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens, and the Amelia Bloomer List for children’s literature with feminist themes. Booklist Online says “O'Neill's warm, friendly drawings add to the fun of this body-positive story that also features a main character of color. Appropriately for a fairy tale, O'Neill wraps things up with a wedding that promises happily-ever-after, sealed with a kiss. Give this to young romance readers and watch them smile.” (Wildsmith, 2016). Book Riot (2019) describes it as “super cute, super queer, and feminist as all get out."

The Tea Dragon Society. O’Neill, K. (2017). Portland, OR: Oni Press, Inc. ISBN-13:9781620104415 (Hardback)

This high-fantasy manga-influenced graphic novel provides a very diverse cast of queer characters that care for unusual miniature dragons that grow magical tea leaves on their horns. Maybe a little weird and too cutesy for some readers, but fills a gap for those who delight in this style. This book was chosen by SLJ as one of the Top 10 Graphic Novels of 2017 as well as being named to the 2018 ALA Rainbow List. Kirkus Reviews (2017) says “O'Neill has composed a feel-good tale just right for middle-grade fantasy fans. In alluringly hued, manga-inspired illustrations, O'Neill's diverse characters display an array of different skin colors, orientations, and abilities. Helping to add depth to the worldbuilding is an excerpt from a fictional tome that explains the history of tea dragons and their individual characteristics. Undeniably whimsical and extremely cute.” And SLJ rules it “This warm and funny story would be a wonderful addition to most graphic novel collections. It quietly illustrates and normalizes a variety of family situations and personal identities.” (Gile, 2017).

Non-Fiction

A Queer History of the United States for Young People. Bronski, M. (2019). Boston, MA: Beacon Press. ISBN-13: 9780807056127 (Hardback)

This book tells the stories of a number of LGTBQ+ individuals and groups, some well-known and some less familiar, and their contributions to American history. SLJ named it one of the Best Nonfiction Books of 2019, saying “Bronski’s writing displays a considerable level of sensitivity. This content-rich work fills a clear curriculum need for a history that has long been ignored.” (DesHarnais et al, 2019), and Publisher’s Weekly (2019) says “Readers seeking role models from the past will find an edifying resource and invitation for further exploration into untold stories.”

*Pride: Celebrating Diversity & Community. Stevenson, R. (2016). Custer, WA: Orca Book Publishers. ISBN-13: 9781459809932 (Paperback)

This book provides an excellent description of modern day Pride celebrations and their meaning, as well as the history of violence and discrimination against LGTBQ+ individuals that led to them in a very factual, straight-forward, and age-appropriate way. Pride was a 2017 Stonewall honor book and included on the ALA Rainbow List. Kirkus Reviews (2016) praises the attractive photographs showing the diversity within the LGTBQ community and informative backmatter, saying “This attractive work will be welcomed by readers searching for guidance and hope.”

Gay & Lesbian History for Kids: The Century-Long Struggle for LGBT Rights. Pohlen, J. (2015). Chicago: Chicago Review Press. ISBN-13: 9781613730829 (Paperback)

This book uses personal stories and firsthand accounts of key events to chronicle the history of the fight for LGBT rights, as well as describing the historic contributions and achievements of LGBT individuals. In addition, 21 activities for kids to do to help bring the stories to life. Gay & Lesbian History for Kids was a Lambda award nominee as well as appearing on the ALA Rainbow List. SLJ describes it as “…upbeat, conversational, and often humorous in tone. Smattered with compelling photographs, biographical sidebars, and interactive activities, this vital and inclusive history fleshes out the LGBTQ education readers have long been denied, bringing it to light and giving it the attention it deserves…A necessary purchase for collections that serve middle grade and teenage patrons.” (Abrams, 2015).

*Sex Is A Funny Word. Silverberg, C. (2015). New York: Seven Stories Press. ISBN-13: 9781609806064 (Hardback)

For the younger end of middle-grade, but worth including. In comic book form, this book uses a diverse cast of children and families to help educate children about their bodies, gender, and sexuality. It gives opportunities for parents to discuss their values and beliefs, as well as safety and setting boundaries. The book places emphasis on thinking for yourself and forming one's own opinions, as well as showing respect for yourself and others. It does not specifically talk about sexual intercourse, but provides a strong foundation to build on. Sex Is A Funny Word was a 2016 Stonewall honor book as well as an ALA Rainbow List Top 10. An SLJ reviewer says “There is a heavy emphasis on the importance of thinking for oneself and developing one's own opinions. The language is conversational and accessible, as well as direct, fastidiously accurate, and entirely gender-neutral. Each section ends with conversation-provoking questions, reinforcing the suggestion that the book be read and shared in conversation with a trusted adult…” and calls it “exciting, enlightening, and innovative” (Henricks, 2015).

Reference List for Reviews Cited

You might also be interested in my list of picture books and middle-grade books with transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming themes.

Librarian In Limbo

I feel like that should be the title of my blog now, because that's exactly what I am and probably will be for some time, and it's left me feeling very disconnected and a bit discouraged and frustrated.

I finally completed my MLIS, so I guess I can legitimately call myself a librarian now, but I won't really feel like one until I have a job with the title as well. And thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, the job market is at a complete standstill. Many libraries are still closed (as they should be), almost all are under a hiring freeze, and the lasting repercussions of the pandemic will make an already poor and extremely competitive job market even worse for some time to come. But, I really need a full-time job with benefits now! I really worry that I just wasted a lot of time, hard work, and money on a degree for nothing, and I know the more time passes and the older I get, the harder it's going to be to get a full-time librarian job.

On top of that, I'm not working at all right now. The system where I am employed as a part-time paraprofessional has been closed since March 14, and still doesn't have a date for re-opening. A few staff members have been called in starting this week to prepare for curbside service beginning June 8th, but as circ staff was prioritized, I was not among them. I am very fortunate and very grateful that we are all still being paid regardless, but at the same time I don't really feel quite right being paid for doing nothing, and I miss working. I miss the routine, I miss my coworkers, I miss interacting with patrons, I miss programming, I miss feeling productive.

Even though there is no expectation that I do any work while on paid emergency leave, I've tried to at least do some professional development. I've watched several webinars, I've expanded on my MLIS research project, did some editing and re-writes, and submitted it for publication; I've been reading as much middle-grade and YA as I can, I've recycled the slides from prior training presentations and recorded them with voiceover, and I will start working on making some flannel board sets since I haven't had time to do that in well over a year. 

But it just isn't the same. I love programming and sharing my programs though this blog, but haven't done a single program since February. I volunteered to do virtual programming, but was told I wasn't needed as the nine children's librarians in our system have that more than covered. Of course it makes sense, when doing virtual programming as a system you don't need to do nearly the number of programs as when doing in-person programs at multiple locations, so it requires far fewer staff to do it. My system has done a phenomenal job in handling this crisis and looking out for the best interests of both staff and the community; I have no complaints about any decisions they've made. It's just after nearly 3 months I now feel so disconnected from work and the whole professional community, and tired of being inside my own head so much of the time.

To make matters worse, even when I finally do get to go back to work, things won't be the same. I'm anticipating we won't be doing in-person programming for quite some time, and I really miss it. I expect that we won't have toys and things out, and won't be encouraging people to come and hang out for a while; people will be encouraged to just come in, get their materials and leave. We will be wearing masks, using "sneeze guards" and practicing social distancing, making interactions with patrons much more impersonal. While I know these extreme measures are necessary, it still makes me very sad that we will now have to do the opposite of what we've worked so hard to do in making libraries a vibrant, welcoming space. It seems like libraries are being set back 100 years, thanks to this pandemic. I know it's only temporary; I just hope it doesn't take us very long to get back to where we were before once it's over.

So instead of working and job-hunting, I'm stuck here in limbo, waiting. Waiting for this pandemic to pass, waiting to go back to work, waiting for a children's librarian job to open up, waiting for life to get back to some semblance of normal. 

The last four years I have been completely focused on getting my degree and doing everything I can to develop professionally to prepare for eventually applying for a professional position. Now that the degree is over and everything else has come to a standstill, I am left with this huge void. I supposed it's a good time to get back to some of my other interests or develop new ones outside of librarianship.... Or thoroughly clean and organize my house....But, let's not get too radical.

Anyone else out there stuck in limbo, too? Not working, not doing virtual programming, and/or job hunt put on hold? What are you doing to pass the time or feel productive?

Incorporating Math Literacy Into Storytime and Other Programs

Incorporating math and science into storytime is something I've always tried to do, especially when I was in outreach, but I've realized it's not something everyone thinks of, or knows how to do. Or maybe you are doing some of these things anyway, and just hadn't really connected them to math or science. After seeing an article with a list of children's books to encourage an interest in math, I've been thinking more about ways to incorporate math and encourage a positive attitude about math, and trying to be more purposeful in incorporating math into storytime and other programs.

Now if you're thinking "oh, great, something else I have to worry about doing in storytime...", I get it! First storytime was just about reading stories, then it was about early literacy skills, then we had to add parent education and passing along development and early literacy information, and now we're talking about adding math! 

It is challenging to try to include so many different elements in 20-minute storytime, but some of these you are likely already doing anyway, and others are easy to incorporate. Plus, I'm a big believer in starting small, and that you don't have to do ALL the things every time. So try them every now and then, and as you get more familiar and comfortable with them, look for ways to incorporate them more often.

First, I'll start with some of the more obvious and work to some that are less obvious:

• Counting Books - There are lots of counting books, some better and more interesting than others. Keep the age of the audience in mind. For babies and toddlers, counting up from 1 to 5 or 10 is enough, but for older kids, look for books that count up to 20, and for books that count down. One that comes to mind I really like for older kids is Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3 by Bill Martin, Jr., Michael Sampson, and Lois Ehlert. This introduces "skip counting", or counting by ten's up to 100. Also keep an eye out for books that have an actual story, as opposed to just counting, like Ellen Stoll Walsh's Mouse Count.
  
  
• Counting Songs & Rhymes - Again, for preschool and up, be sure to include rhymes and songs than count down as well as up, and try to use more that go up to/down from 10 and not just all the "Five Little..." somethings (though those are still good, too). Whenever I do the "Ten Little..." something song, I always do a second verse counting back down from 10 to 1 (this is also good for fine motor skills, as is repeating the "Five Little" somethings using the non-dominant hand).
  
  
• Shapes - The obvious connection here is geometry, which is true, but any type of activity that involves categorizing and classifying things involves mathematical thinking and is a pre-science skill as well. There are not a lot of great shape books, but two that I have used a lot are Shape By Shape by Suse McDonald (even though she got the Brachiosaurus' teeth completely wrong) for younger kids and Circle, Square, Moose by Kelly Bingham for older kids. Tangled: A Story About Shapes by Anne Miranda and Eric Comstock is a newer book that looks promising.
  
  Aside from books and simple shape identification activities, other activities that could be incorporated during storytime or as part of a craft or playtime afterward are flannel boards with all different felt shapes kids can play with and put together, crafts using cut-out shapes to make collage pictures or tangrams, magnet board shapes, good old-fashioned wooden building blocks that come in different shapes, and various shape-sorter toys. Encourage parents to point out shapes in real life, like signs, windows, doors, wheels, etc. There are several books that involve identifying shapes in the environment, but City Shapes by Diana Murray is particularly nice, and Bryan Collier's illustrations are lovely.
  
  
• Introduce Addition & Subtraction Concepts - An example that we frequently use are the counting up and down rhymes with the "Five Little" somethings, where we add or take away things one at a time. Look for stories that have this element as well, and reinforce it. Essentially, all the counting up stories and rhymes are doing addition, and the counting down ones are using subtraction; we just have to be intentional about pointing it out and describing it using those terms.
  
  
• Introduce Addition & Subtraction Equations - For preschoolers and up, occasionally show them the written equation and talk them through what the symbols mean and how it represents the situation just described. Two books that are great for this are Little Quack by Lauren Thompson and Derek Anderson, which counts up from 0 to 5 and showing the addition equations, and Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons by Eric Litwin and James Dean, which counts down from four to zero as Pete loses each button and shows the subtraction equations.
  
  
• Sorting & Matching - There are any number of items you can provide to have children sort and/or match by color, size, shape, or any other characteristics. This can be done with flannel or magnetic boards or with physical objects. A favorite activity of one of my volunteers was leaf-sorting using foam leaf cutouts that could be sorted by color, shape, or whether they were sparkly. This Attribute Apple set is great, too; it has apples in three sizes and colors, some with leaves, and some with worms, so there are many different criteria by which to sort them. This is also a great pre-science activity, and using a pincer grasp to sort small objects makes it a pre-writing activity as well!
  
  
• Patterns - Just like sorting, you can using various characteristics and activities to explore patterns using flannel pieces, blocks, beads on a string, and more. Seeing patterns is an important skill in mathematical thinking (think statistics, coding, data analysis, etc.). And again, manipulating small objects with a pincer grasp, as with stringing beads, is also great for writing.
  
  
• Spatial Relationships - Think directional terms and prepositions! Up, down, on the table, in the basket, over the rainbow, beside the chair, under the blanket, over there, etc. Use these to be descriptive, and ask questions that will elicit similar descriptive terms from the children. Also relative size and position, such as bigger than, smaller than, higher, lower, farther, nearer; big, bigger, and biggest, etc. I bet you already do this without realizing it relates to math as well as expressive language! The Berenstain Bears' Inside Outside Upside Down and Jez Alborough's Tall come to mind.
  
  And of course for a hands-on activity, it's hard to beat building with blocks for spatial relationships, but a treasure hunt where they have to follow directional instructions as well as relative descriptions and counting is a really fun way to incorporate several math skills.
  
  
• Measurement - Have kids measure and estimate things - quantity, length, height, weight, volume. One activity I have used, since we are in the middle of horse country, is tape a row of handprint cutouts up the wall and have the kids guess how many hands high they would be, then measure and see. This is a great science activity as well.
  
  
• Graphing - This activity is probably best for ages 5 and up, who have started to develop a greater sense of symbolic/representational thinking. This is simple to add onto any of the sorting or counting activities you do by just drawing a simple bar graph to represent your totals, and explaining how each unit of the bar represents 1 whatever you are counting.

Again, don't feel pressured to incorporate math into every single storytime, but just try to be a little more mindful and intentional with some of the activities when you can. Some are a little easier to do than others, and it does depend on the age of the kids. And if you aren't able to fit it into storytime as much as you'd like, then try to sneak it into other programs.

And to help, here are some links to various lists of books that relate to math in a positive way, and most are nicely categorized:

• Math for Kids - Children's Books That Build a Love of Math 
• 40 Children's Books That Foster a Love of Math 
• 16 Picture Books About Math to Inspire Curious Kids
• The Biggest List of the Best Math Picture Books Ever
• 72 of the Absolute Best Math Picture Books for Kids

For more ideas for activities:

• 15 Toddler Math Activities
• Preschool Math Activities That Are Super Fun!
• 15 Hand-On Math Activities for Preschoolers
• Play Based Math Activities for Kids
• Counting and Math Rhymes [and songs]
• Maths Songs and Rhymes

And my previous "Shapes" and "Numbers" storytimes:

• 1, 2, 3, Read With Me
• 1, 2, 3, Count With Me
• Numbers & Counting - The Winter Edition
• Shapes All Around Us
• A World of Shapes

If you have any suggestions for books or activities, or know other helpful resources, please share them in the comments! 

(And remember, regardless of your own personal feelings or possible struggles with math, please be careful to refrain from expressing any negative attitudes about math around children!)

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New Feature!

If you look at the end of the menu bar above ↗, you might notice a new feature: "Webinars, Tutorials, & Presentations".

I've given several trainings related to literacy and storytime programming in the past for volunteers, child care staff, and paraprofessionals in the school system, and I always enjoyed creating the slides. After recently having the occasion to record a presentation with voiceover in PowerPoint, I realized just how easy it is.

So, I decided since I have so much free time while the library is closed for the Covid-19 pandemic and I'm on paid administrative leave with no programs to write up, I would try my hand at recording a few webinars, tutorials, and the like. (My library system is doing some virtual programming, but only the full-time librarians have been asked to participate so far. I'd certainly be willing, but as a part-timer I haven't been looped in at this point.)

I started with adapting the training presentations I had done previously, since I had the slides already made, so there are currently two recorded webinars available, one on everyday practices to develop early literacy meant primarily for parents, childcare workers and people new to the field. The second is on ways to encourage reading and promote literacy in school-age children, with a focus on reluctant readers.

Next I plan to do one or more on tips for planning and presenting early literacy programming, a.k.a. storytimes, specifically for children's librarians and paraprofessionals, which I might be able put together using existing slides, but most likely will start from scratch. I'll also probably venture from just doing voiceover for a slideshow to doing some actual videos to force myself to get used to being in front of the camera.

If you have any feedback, suggestions, or requests for topics, anything from webinars to quick tutorials or demonstrations of things I've done in my programs, just leave it in the comments below, or send me an email at AdventuresInStorytime@gmail.com.

Top 10 Things Kids Taught Me

About a year ago I published a fun article titled "You Know You're a Children's Librarian When..." that was all about the quirky things we find ourselves doing as children's librarians, and I was thinking we could use something in a similar fun and uplifting vein right now. Then I came across a post in an online library group that I thought was exactly the kind of fun, feel-good read we all need right now, to help remind of us the joy (and chaos) that comes with working with kids, while many of us are feeling very disconnected from our patrons.

This list of the "Top 10 Things Kids Taught Me About Being A Children's Librarian" was written by Mychal Threets, a children's librarian with the Solano Public Library  (www.solanolibrary.com) and is shared with his permission. "Mr. Mychal", as his young patrons call him, frequently shares some of the cute or precocious things the kids say to him, and his enthusiasm for the work he does is very evident. 

"Top 10 Things Kids Taught Me About Being A Children's Librarian

1. EVERYONE loves dinosaurs.
   
2. See "Frozen" or be asked to leave and not come back.
   
3. If you have "fluffy, pretty, princess hair" you are the tooth fairy.
   
4. There is nothing more important than birthdays.
   
5. Kids have no idea what a question is.
   
6. If one kids tells you their age - get ready, they are all about to tell you their age.
   
7. Stickers are gold.
   
8. Being called a witch (even if you're a man) is not uncommon.
   
9. Personal space is not something kids are aware of.
   
10. Kids are ruthless, and somehow make sure that there’s always someone within earshot when they mention whichever flaw in you they’ve discovered." - Mychal Threets

I can definitely relate to numbers 5, 6, 7, 9, and 10! I once had a first-grader systematically point out EVERY single thing that was imperfect about my face, and I've been asked if I had a baby in my belly [I didn't] more times than I care to remember.

Unsurprisingly, Mychal's post got quite a few reactions and comments, with people either relating to various things on his list, or adding their own. One particularly hilarious corollary to #6 was that if one kid tells you about their boo-boo, all the kids are going to have to share theirs, even if they are imaginary. Once commenter elaborated that "boo-boos are also contagious, I've noticed! One kid needs a bandaid and suddenly it's like the whole class has just returned from battle." That is SO true!

Mychal inspired me to come up with my own list, though there may be some overlap with his:

The Top Ten Things I Have Learned About Kids, From Kids

1. Some kids simply do not have an inside voice.
   
2. Children have a mob mentality, if one or two kids do it, then the rest will follow suit. Especially if one says they have to go to the bathroom.
   
3. Kids REALLY do not know what a question is. They will say they have a question, only to proceed with telling a 20 minute convoluted story to relate something that only took 2 minutes to happen in real time and is completely unrelated to anything you were talking about.
   
4. Kids will tell you their family's dirty laundry, whether you want them to or not.
   
5. A mob hug from a group of preschoolers, while very heart-warming, can knock you off balance if you're unprepared.
   
6. Kids are either extremely decisive, or take FOREVER to make a decision. There is no in between.
   
7. Kids love jingle bells! So much so, they will try to sneak off with them and hope you don't notice they failed to turn them in at the end of the song.
   
8. Hearing a sweet little voice saying "Cup of tea?" behind you, and turning around to find a 3-year old holding a pretend cup of tea he made for you can completely turn a bad day around.
   
9. Kids never get tired of baking soda and vinegar experiments.
   
10. Everything is better with googly eyes, preferably attached with 5 gallons of glue.

What items resonate with you? What would you add to your own list? I know we have a while to go, but I cannot wait for things to get back to some semblance of normal so I can get back to work and see all my little friends and their families!

5th Blogiversary

It was 5 years ago today that I published my very first blog post, initially just to prove a point to my smart-ass tween, who didn't believe his mom could possibly have the computer skills to start a blog, even though I've been using computers and the internet since long before he ever came along. But I found I really enjoyed it, and it was a nice way to to keep records of all my programs that was easily accessible and searchable, as well as express myself creatively and professionally.

This blog has seen me through several job changes, and has grown and evolved to reflect the changes in my duties and interests. I've gone from page to early literacy outreach specialist to a children's library associate at a busy, diverse, suburban branch. The focus of the blog has grown from being almost exclusively focused on early literacy to include arts and crafts, STEM, and multidisciplinary programs for all ages. This blog has also seen me through my decision to pursue my MLIS in the hopes of becoming a full-fledged children's librarian, and now the completion of that degree! 

Sadly, this blog has also seen me during a serious, life-altering pandemic, which means no graduation ceremony, no job openings, and a great deal of uncertainty about the future. My library system is closed and we are being paid, for which I am very grateful, but I can't help but wonder how long it will be before we can open, and how much longer they will be able to keep paying us if we are not working. Some of the full-time staff are doing some work from home, but they have not asked the part-time staff to do anything, though I am working on professional development. The economy will likely be in a deep recession, so I am not feeling very hopeful about full-time job prospects in the near future.

It's all very surreal. I go back and forth between being okay and feeling very stressed and worried about both staying healthy, and what the future holds. I really miss working and seeing my coworkers and patrons every day. I'm really bummed about the programs I had planned that I didn't or won't get to do: Pi Day storytime, St. Patrick's Day Science, The Fungus Among Us STEM program, Flower Art, storytimes... I'm doubtful that we'll be having summer programs, so there goes my Baby Shark preschool program I was so looking forward to, and my teen Cupcake Wars programs, which would've been my first opportunity to do a teen program. I'm totally having program withdrawal. My system has started doing some online programming, but only the full-time librarians are involved. 

So, after 333 posts in 5 years, I'm not sure I'll have much content for the next few months, until the library opens and programming resumes, so there may not be many posts. But, I'll be busy editing my research paper and getting it ready to submit for publication, reading, trying not to worry too much, and watching the mailbox for my diploma to arrive! Hopefully, things will get back to some semblance of normal sooner rather than later, the economy will bounce back, and maybe in the not to distant future I'll be able to announce I finally have a full-time position as a full-fledged children's librarian.

I may post something if I have a moment of inspiration, but don't be surprised if the blog is much quieter than usual for a while. Take care and stay healthy everyone!

And The Survey Says...

Right before the world changed, I started a research project investigating child development knowledge among new children's librarians in U.S. public libraries. Suddenly faced with an extended library closure and administrative leave, I made good use of the unexpected time off to power through my analysis of the results, write a draft of the paper, and record a presentation of the project.

I became interested in this topic after I started working in public library youth services and I realized how much my prior education (which included child development and education coursework), experience with working with children, and being a parent helped me in relating both to children and their caregivers, having developmentally appropriate expectations of behavior, and planning developmentally appropriate programs. I also noticed that some who did not have the benefit of similar education and experience sometimes struggled a little in these areas, through no fault of their own.

I realized once I started on my MLIS that even a degree from an ALA-accredited program with a youth services track may not provide any significant education in child development (my program spent all of one week out of the entire program on child development). I strongly feel that having a knowledge of child development is important for anyone working with children, and though the literature consistently supports that having a knowledge of child development and being able to apply it to library services is a competency that children's librarians should have, it is unclear when and how they are supposed to get this knowledge or if in fact this competency is being met. I am hoping to publish or present my findings, so I'm not going to give all the details here, but I wanted to give a brief partial summary for those who participated (and thank you to those who did!) or expressed interest. 

It will probably come as no surprise to most of those actually working in youth services, but my research confirmed that having a knowledge of child development is relevant and beneficial to essentially every aspect of children's librarianship. I also found that while new children's librarians have some knowledge of child development, particularly in the area of early literacy skills, it is primarily from prior practical experience and many lack a strong academic foundation, which results in knowledge gaps, a lack of depth or breadth, and/or being unfamiliar with the terminology. Most respondents did not find their undergraduate or MLIS coursework to be very helpful in enhancing their child development knowledge, and all felt they would benefit from additional education and training in child development.

This means that many newly minted children's librarians are starting the job without a strong foundation in child development and having to play catch-up; learning on the job, through self-education, and through continuing education. It appears that MLIS programs need to evolve and better prepare librarians for the greatly expanded roles they now have that extend well beyond the materials, and focus more on the children and caregivers using them.

Again, I am planning on pursuing publication or conference presentation, so for now that's as much as I can say, but if that doesn't work out I will publish the results in their entirety here at the very least. If you would like to be notified when the study is published or presented, send me an email at AdventuresInStorytime@gmail.com to be added to the contact list. I will be the first to admit it is a small and imperfect study, but I do think it has value and I feel the topic is an important one, so I hope it can find an audience.

*Update: I am thrilled to announce this research has been published, and appears in the Journal of Education for Library and Information Science, Vol. 63, Issue 1, January 2022!

Related posts: "Research Publication"     "Child Development Knowledge Survey"

Public Library Association Conference 2020

I have gone to a couple of small, local children's literature conferences before, but this was the first year I was able to go to a big library conference. I've been planning on going to this one for at least two years, once I realized it would be held in Nashville, which is only a 3-1/2 hour drive for me.

I have one word to describe it: Overwhelming! The conference center was huge, a bit confusing to navigate, and there were so many things going on at once it was hard to decide what to do! There were big keynote sessions each day, but they started at 8:00 am, so I opted to skip them in favor of more sleep. There were so many breakout sessions, and it's always hard to decide which ones to go to. The ones that sound most relevant to what I do usually aren't telling me anything I don't already know, the ones that sound interesting aren't really of much use to me because I am not in a position that has any power to make decisions or effect any change, some are of no interest, and others sound good, and turn out to be complete duds.

I was only able to go to a day and a half because of other obligations and the hotel was ridiculously expensive, but I crammed as many sessions in as I could. They were all a little different, but had two overarching themes in common: removing barriers to service, and being more intentional in designing programs and services, particularly outreach, to decrease equity and opportunity gaps. I really wish I could have stayed until the end, as there were some other sessions I really would have liked to attend, such as reader's advisory for LGTBQ+ patrons, and one about going fine-free, which is a something my system is beginning to investigate.

The vendor exhibit hall was enormous! I tried to walk through it a couple of times, but it was so huge and I was always pressed for time, so I didn't get very far and it was always overwhelming. I grabbed a few ARC's and a couple of little chachkies, but my manager got 4 or 5 times as many as I did! I did get a couple that were signed, but I wish I could have gotten a few more. I had a hard time being able to tell what were give-a-ways from what was for sale or just for display. I don't really have any extra time for reading right now anyway, so I guess it's for the best. But I did get a picture with the Baker&Taylor cats (above), who somehow I never knew about until now.

Besides the professional development, the conference provided a great opportunity to connect with people. I ran into a former co-worker from a few years back, I got to meet two of my professors from my online MLIS program in person, as well as a few other students, and one alum that I know from our student support group on Facebook. Plus just chatting with other random conference attendees.

If you get a chance, I highly recommend going to a big conference like this, but I have some tips I wish I knew before I went:

• Get in shape and wear comfortable shoes, as there is a LOT of walking! (I did know this one and did wear comfortable shoes, but it was still more exhausting than I expected.)
  
  
• Book your hotel very early! I waited until January, and all the discounted rooms were already gone, so I paid $100 a night more than my colleagues who booked earlier.
  
  
• Talk to people who have gone before, read over the schedule, and have a plan of action before you get there.
  
  
• Don't assume your library won't pay for you to go. I was so sure my system wouldn't pay for me, since I'm just part-time and not a librarian, I didn't even ask. Then later, too late for me to apply, I found out they did approve another part-timer. So I ended up spending a LOT of my own money and using personal time that I really didn't have to. Really kicking myself for that now!

I'd really like to go to the ALSC conference sometime. It was actually only an 1-1/2 hours away from me in 2018, but I waited too late and registration closed well in advance of the conference (I never knew that was a thing; I guess it was a small venue with very limited capacity?). I also haven't been to our state conference yet, so that will probably be on my agenda next year.

Do any of you have any conference tips for newbies, or conferences to recommend? Any other first-time conference goers want to share your experience at PLA?