Book picks similar to
Sleepover Takeover by Simon James Green


queer
middle-grade
contemporary
warning-english-books

Castle Faggot


Derek McCormack - 2020
    At the heart of the park is Faggotland, a playland for gay men, and Castle Faggot, the darkest dark ride in the world. Home to a cartoon Dracula called Count Choc-o-log, the castle is decorated with the corpses of gays—some were killed, some killed themselves, all ended up as décor.The book includes a map of Faggotland, a photobook of the castle, the instructions for a castle-shaped dollhouse, and the novelization of a TV puppet show about Count Choc-o-log and his friends—reminiscent of the classic stop-motion special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, but even gayer and more grotesque. As scatological as Sade but with a Hanna-Barbera vibe, Castle Faggot transmutes McCormack's love of the lurid and the childlike, of funhouses and sickhouses, into something furiously funny: as Edmund White says, “the mystery of objects, the lyricism of neglected lives, the menace and nostalgia of the past—these are all ingredients in this weird and beautiful parallel universe.”

Objects in Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear


Kate Carroll de Gutes - 2015
    On the surface, Kate Carroll de Gutes’ debut collection of essays considers her sexuality, gender presentation, and the end of her marriage. But, as editor Judith Kitchen says, “peel it back, begin to take it apart, semantically and linguistically and personally, and it all comes clear.” Kate Carroll de Gutes invites readers to become collaborators in essays about issues we all face: growing up, identity, love, loss, and sometimes, the quest for the perfect fashion accessory. With wit matched by self-compassion and empathy, the essays offer a lesson on the inevitable journey back to the places we all began."On every page, de Gutes reminds us that we all traverse life’s roads with one eye fixed on the receding and mirrored past.” – Stephanie Kallos, best-selling author of Broken for You.

Wandering Son, Vol. 1


Takako Shimura - 2003
    The threshold to puberty, and the beginning of the end of childhood innocence. Shuichi Nitori and his new friend Yoshino Takatsuki have happy homes, loving families, and are well-liked by their classmates. But they share a secret that further complicates a time of life that is awkward for anyone: Shuichi is a boy who wants to be a girl, and Yoshino is a girl who wants to be a boy. Written and drawn by one of today's most critically acclaimed creators of manga, Shimura portrays Shuishi and Yoshino's very private journey with affection, sensitivity, gentle humor, and unmistakable flair and grace. Book One introduces our two protagonists and the friends and family whose lives intersect with their own. Yoshino is rudely reminded of her sex by immature boys whose budding interest in girls takes clumsily cruel forms. Shuichi's secret is discovered by Saori, a perceptive and eccentric classmate. And it is Saori who suggests that the fifth graders put on a production of The Rose of Versailles for the farewell ceremony for the sixth graders, with boys playing the roles of women, and girls playing the roles of men. Wandering Son is a sophisticated work of literary manga translated with rare skill and sensitivity by veteran translator and comics scholar Matt Thorn.

Basketball Blues


Thalia Kalkipsakis - 2005
    But can cheerleading make Angie happy, or is basketball her real love?   It's lucky Angie is more than just a pretty face!

Minecraft: Diary of a 6th Grade Zombie: Book 1: The Intruder (Minecraft, Children)


Mine Kid - 2016
    In this book we will dive into the marvelous World of Blocks, which is a fun and strange place to be in, especially if you are a 12 year old Zombie attending the famous Academy of Zombies, trying to solve a mystery along the way.Plunge into this exciting story and see the world from a young Zombie’s perspective as he is learning more about Humans. Everyone thinks that the only thing Zombies are good at is walking slowly by dragging their feet, growling and scaring Humans – but Jake will prove you wrong – Zombies might not be very different from humans after all. Diary of a 6th grade Zombie is a must-read for any kid over 7 years old who loves Minecraft.

I Didn't Do It! (Sammy Bird)


V. Moua - 2019
    This bird is doing things he should NOT be doing—although he denies all of it! Sammy eats things he's not supposed to eat and he touches things he's not supposed to touch. But every time, Sammy claims he "DIDN'T DO IT." Will Sammy eventually admit that he DID do it? Read the book to find out! About the Sammy Bird Series This is a picture book series about a quirky bird named Sammy and his amusing misadventures. Readers will discover that Sammy is a little red bird who has a BIG personality. The books in this series are humorous, engaging and sometimes deal with common childhood issues like bullying, fear of the dark, patience and friendship. The books are interactive and engages young readers to participate in the story. There are over 90 Books in the series and counting! From the Author I like to think of myself as a storyteller who brings families together through the medium of picture books. Whether it is between a parent or child or a grandparent and child. These stories are intended to be light-hearted and funny and most importantly the stories engage young readers to be a part of the story itself. My hope is that these books will help build upon a child's love for reading and allow families to laugh and enjoy spending time together. As a reader, you can look forward to many more adventures with this silly and fun-loving red bird! -V. Moua About the book: I am NOT a Bird! This is a read aloud kids book. The target age range audience is appropriate for preschool and young children who are at the following stages of reading: I can read level 1, I can read level 2, I can read level 3 and I can read level 4. This is a book that any child will love, especially at bedtime. It is suitable for parents to read to their children. Also, grandparents will enjoy reading this book to their grandchildren. This series is part of the short bedtime stories for kids. Read this children's book FREE as part of your PRIME or Kindle Unlimited membership!

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John David Anderson - 2017
    They can be weapons. They can be gifts. The right words can win you friends or make you enemies. They can come back to haunt you. Sometimes they can change things forever.When cell phones are banned at Branton Middle School, Frost and his friends Deedee, Wolf, and Bench come up with a new way to communicate: leaving sticky notes for each other all around the school. It catches on, and soon all the kids in school are leaving notes—though for every kind and friendly one, there is a cutting and cruel one as well.In the middle of this, a new girl named Rose arrives at school and sits at Frost's lunch table. Rose is not like anyone else at Branton Middle School, and it's clear that the close circle of friends Frost has made for himself won't easily hold another. As the sticky-note war escalates, and the pressure to choose sides mounts, Frost soon realizes that after this year, nothing will ever be the same.

My Life as a Diamond


Jenny Manzer - 2018
    He loves the sounds, the smells, the stats. When his family moves from Toronto to a suburb of Seattle, the first thing he does is try out for the local summer team, the Redburn Ravens. Even though Caz is thrilled when he makes the team, he worries because he has a big secret.No one knows that back in Toronto, Caz used to live life as a girl named Cassandra. And it's nobody's business. Caz will tell his new friends when he's ready.But when a player on a rival team starts snooping around, Caz's past is revealed, and Caz worries it will be Toronto all over again.Will Caz's teammates rally behind their star pitcher? Or will Caz be betrayed once more?A heartwarming, funny, fast-paced story about the bravery it takes to live as your true self, no matter the cost.

Yours Truly, Skye O'Shea


Megan Shull - 2003
    Yours Truly, Skye O'Shea is capers starring sixth-grader Skye.

Saturdays with Hitchcock


Ellen Wittlinger - 2017
    When it seems as if Hackett might like Maisie romantically, she's none too pleased, and Cyrus is even less impressed.Uncle Walt has a way of pointing Maisie in the right direction, and Maisie's love of movies also keeps her centered. Heading to the local independent theater on Saturdays to see old movies helps Maisie stay grounded as she struggles with growing up, family tensions, a grandma who seems to be losing her memory, and a love triangle she never expected.

Girls Resist!: A Guide to Activism, Leadership, and Starting a Revolution


KaeLyn Rich - 2018
    With in-depth guides to everything from picking a cause, planning a protest, and raising money to running dispute-free meetings, promoting awareness on social media, and being an effective ally, Girls Resist! will show you how to go from “mad as heck about the way the world is going” to “effective leader who gets stuff done.” Veteran feminist organizer KaeLyn Rich shares tons of expertise that’ll inspire you as much as it teaches you the ropes. Plus, quotes and tips from fellow teen girl activists show how they stood up for change in their communities. Grab this handbook to crush inequality, start a revolution, and resist!

Donut the Destroyer


Sarah Graley - 2020
    She lives in a world where everyone is born with a special ability and can choose whether to develop it for good or evil. Donut has just received the best news of her life -- she's been accepted to Lionheart School for Heroes! But her parents are the most infamous villains around, and her best friend, Ivy, can't understand why Donut would choose a life of boring heroism and ruin their plans to cause chaos. Donut is determined to prove that, despite her last name, she's meant to go her own way and be a hero. Meanwhile, Ivy cooks up a plan to get Donut kicked out of Lionheart -- and back on track to villainy!

Flying Lessons & Other Stories


Ellen OhMatt de la Pena - 2017
    In a partnership with We Need Diverse Books, industry giants Kwame Alexander, Soman Chainani, Matt de la Peña, Tim Federle, Grace Lin, Meg Medina, Walter Dean Myers, Tim Tingle, and Jacqueline Woodson join newcomer Kelly J. Baptist in a story collection that is as humorous as it is heartfelt. This impressive group of authors has earned among them every major award in children’s publishing and popularity as New York Times bestsellers. From these distinguished authors come ten distinct and vibrant stories.

The Amah


Laurence Yep - 1999
    Twelve-year-old Amy finds her family responsibilities growing and interfering with her ballet practice when her mother takes a job outside the home.

The Hotel of Horrors


Kate Howard - 2012
    Scholastic's books are the #2 Scooby licensed product in the world!Jinkies! The kids from Mystery, Inc. are spending the night in an old-fashioned castle. Scooby and Shaggy can't wait to get medieval. They even dress up as knights in shining armor.But when the two buddies hear there's a vampire haunting the place, they decide they'd rather flee than fight! Can Fred, Velma, and Daphne stake the vamp and save their friends?