LGBT-friendly Schools

These two books highlight school communities where being LGBT (lesbian, gay, bi or transgender) isn't a big deal. They're both good stories, to boot! Both of these books are probably better for middle schoolers.


Boy Meets Boy, David Levithan

This is a fairly standard story of crushes and crossed communications, but played out from a gay student's perspective. The school is extremely LGBT-friendly and could pave the way for discussions about openness and acceptance. (From the publisher: "The cheerleaders ride Harleys, the homecoming queen used to be a guy named Daryl (she now prefers Infinite Darlene and is also the star quarterback), and the gay-straight alliance was formed to help the straight kids learn how to dance.") However, sometimes the book sashays and limp-wrists its way into the stereotypical.



Dancing in Red Shoes Will Kill You, Dorian Cirrone

At last! This is one of just a few YA books that deals with the woes of having large breasts. Kayla winds up with the role of an ugly stepsister in the big ballet because of her buxom bosom, and she wrestles with the possibility of having a breast reduction surgery to get a more traditional dancer's figure. (Her dance instructor encourages her!) Meanwhile, she deals with boy issues and threatening messages posted near her red slippers.

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