Pride month at jacobs library
06/08/2023 02:03:32 PM
It’s PRIDE Month
Although each of us should be proud of who we are every month of the year, June is officially PRIDE month, celebrating and supporting the LGBTQ+ population.
Jewish literature has always dealt with the issues of the day: Heather Has two Mommies (1989) by Jewish writer Leslea Newman was a breakthrough book for young children. In an updated edition, it is still a go to book for the intended audience.
The first specifically Jewish picture book about an LGBTQ family was Kushner’s The Purim Superhero (2013). With its Jewish setting and matter-of-fact story, the book gained a wide audience.
In the years since these books, there have been many mainstream books dealing with the everyday joys and challenges of LGBTQ characters- from comedies to tragedies, stories of love and friendship, fantasies and mysteries.
Below are a few worthwhile books out of the scores available to be enjoyed by any reader:
(Books are listed by publication date)
2023 Hemon The World and All its Holes. A WWI novel of love, memory and history.
2022 Gephart Abby, Tried and True. Abby’s mother is a lesbian.
2022 Lamb When Angels Left the Old Country. An angel and demon are study partners.
2022 Sass Ellen Outside the Lines. 13 year old neurodivergent Ellen deals with her multiple Identities (J)
2022 Twitty Koshersoul. Explores the author’s identity as a Black gay Jew.
2021 Polydorus The City Beautiful. A historical mystery-fantasy set in 1893 Chicago. (YA)
2020 Lehrer Golem Girl. Born with spina bifida, Rena is challenged on many levels.
2020 Lewis The Rabbi who Prayed with Fire. A young rabbi finds love in this mystery. (J)
2018 Colbert Little & Lion. A Black Jewish girl struggles to define herself. (YA)
2019 Thorn It Feels Good to be Yourself: a book about gender identity. (Parenting)
2016 Gordon The Flower Girl Wore Celery. A sweet book about a misunderstanding. (Picture)
2012 Ladin Through the Door of Life: a Jewish journey between genders
2009 Torah Queeries: weekly commentaries on the Hebrew Bible
2006 Alderman Disobedience. A woman returns to the strict Orthodox community she fled.
