As May draws to a close, you may be wondering how to get ready for Pride. Luckily, the library has books for every age group on this and many other topics!
Starting with our youngest readers, we have Pride : the story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag by Rob Sanders, illustrated by Steven Salerno. In this deeply moving and empowering true story, young readers will trace the life of the Gay Pride Flag, from its beginnings in 1978 with social activist Harvey Milk and designer Gilbert Baker to its spanning of the globe and its role in today’s world. Award-winning author Rob Sanders’s stirring text, and acclaimed illustrator Steven Salerno’s evocative images, combine to tell this remarkable – and undertold – story. A story of love, hope, equality, and pride, this is a great introduction to LGBTQ+ history for kids who are just starting to ask questions like “why is the pride flag a rainbow?” You can get a copy from the library, or an ebook on OverDrive.
Teens will enjoy Kings of B’more by R. Eric Thomas, a 2023 Stonewall Honor Book. With junior year starting in the fall, Harrison feels like he’s on the precipice of, well, everything. Standardized testing, college, and the terrifying unknowns and looming pressures of adulthood after that-it’s like the future wants to eat him alive. Which is why Harrison is grateful that he and his best friend, Linus, will face these things together. But at the end of a shift at their summer job, Linus invites Harrison to their special spot overlooking the city to deliver devastating news- He’s moving out of state at the end of the week. To keep from completely losing it-and partially inspired by a cheesy movie-night pick by his dad-Harrison plans a send-off la Ferris Bueller’s Day Off that’s worthy of his favorite person. If they won’t be having all the life-expanding experiences they thought they would, Harrison will squeeze them all into their last day together. They end up on a mini road trip, their first Pride, and a rooftop dance party, all while keeping their respective parents, who track them on a family location app, off their trail. Harrison and Linus make a pact to do all the things-big and small-they’ve been too scared to do. But nothing feels scarier than saying goodbye to someone you love. You can get a copy from the library or an audiobook on OverDrive.
New release The Z Word by Lindsay King-Miller is an excellent read for adults. Chaotic bisexual Wendy is trying to find her place in the queer community of San Lazaro, Arizona, after a bad breakup–which is particularly difficult because her ex is hooking up with some of her friends. And when the people around them start turning into violent, terrifying mindless husks, well, that makes things harder. Especially since the infection seems to be spreading. Now, Wendy and her friends and frenemies–drag queen Logan, silver fox Beau, sword lesbian Aurelia and her wife Sam, mysterious pizza delivery stoner Sunshine, and, oh yeah, Wendy’s ex-girlfriend Leah–have to team up to stay alive, save Pride, and track the zombie outbreak to its shocking source. Hopefully without killing each other first. The Z Word is a propulsive, funny, emotional horror debut about a found family coming together to fight corporate greed, political corruption, gay drama, and zombies. Get a copy from the library.
But what if you don’t have time to read a book? Well, perhaps I can interest you in the 2014 film Pride starring Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, and Dominic West. Inspired by actual events, director Matthew Warchus’ Pride details the unlikely friendship forged between a small community of striking miners in Wales and the London-based gay-and-lesbian activists who raise funds to feed their families in the summer of 1984. With no end to the strike in sight, the urban activists venture into the countryside to deliver their donation in person, and find they have more in common with the people of this struggling community than anyone on either side could have expected. The library has copies on DVD and Blu-Ray, and if you act fast you might be able to catch it on Hoopla before it disappears!
Cheers to a safe and fun summer!
