I have done so many positive book reviews and recommendations. After all, there is a multitude of book out there to love and read over and over again! However, there a flip side to this. The dark side, if you will.
Here I’ve gathered for you a handful of middle grade novels to watch out for. While they may be safe when it comes to violence or other…undesirable things, all of these novels include LGBTQ+ in some form or another. Plus one that has a slightly different issue.
Now, this is by no means an exhaustive list. In fact, I will probably post more warning lists like this in the future. And if you see other books by an author in this list, those books probably aren’t safe either unless you’re certain otherwise.
Wings of Fire
Tui T Sutherland
I am actually shocked by the amount of people I’ve met who weren’t aware that Wings of Fire contained LGBTQ, which is why I’m adding it to this list. The series had such potential…right before it set itself up for an awful crash landing in the pit of disappointment.
If you or your kids have already begun the series, no fear! The first arc (books 1 through 5) are free of danger. The second arc (books 6 through 10) contains hints, but the third arc (books 11 through 15) are riddled with LGBTQ+. Safest bet? Don’t read it at all. Second safest bet? Read only up to book five.
Skandar and the Unicorn Thief
A.F. Steadman
Bloodthirsty unicorns, dangerous magic, and a race to survive with enemies around every corner. Skandar just wants to become a unicorn rider, but within moments of his dream coming true, he’s catapulted into a web of secrets, danger, and lies. I fell in love by the first book.
And by the second book, there were gay characters.
Unfortunately, Skandar is just another series with potential for greatness, which promptly crash-landed in disappointment. At least this time, it was obvious by book two rather than book six.
The Kelpie
T.J. Wooldridge
I didn’t get more than three chapters through The Kelpie before running into lesbian characters. Oh, well. Pit of disappointment it is.
Legends and Lattes
Travis Baldree
Honestly, I’m shocked that I didn’t guess by the cover. I mean, it has two girls (though one is a half-orc or something and the other is a tiefling) running a coffee shop together. Unfortunately, I was blindsided by the cuteness and my love of cozy fantasy. This would be an adorable story if the main characters weren’t lesbian.
Heroes of Olympus
Rick Riordan
I know many people are aware of it, but I had to add this to the list for the sake of people like me who weren’t super informed, wanted to continue the Percy Jackson series, and ended up getting whammed in the face.
In this series, it’s only one side character that I can recall, but it gets worse in the following books, like Magnus Chase and Trials of Apollo. Just stick to Percy Jackson, folks.
The Marvellers
Dhonielle Clayton
I read this book right after it came out. I didn’t even have to buy it–the library pumped out a copy within weeks of The Marvellers’s release. It would have been the usual cute wizardy, Harry Potter-esque story if not for the LGBTQ+.
Keeper of the Lost Cities: Unraveled
Shannon Messenger
This is another one you may have been warned about. After Messenger published Unraveled, fans were in an uproar about the two scenes containing LGBTQ+. Small though they be, this series has been clean for nine (and a half) books! Fans were promised a clean read, and Messenger did not deliver.
Depending on what’s in book ten, Unraveled might not even be necessary to the plot. However, if it is, my recommendation is to borrow a copy from a friend so as not to support this. I ended up buying a copy, whiting out the two passing mentions, and loaning it out to my handful of friends reading the series.
Wings of Starlight
Allison Saft
Did you (or your kids) ever watch Tinker Bell? If so, do you remember the movie when Tink finds her twin? In that movie, there are hints of a tragic love story between the fairy queen and the winter lord.
This book is that story. And it’s beautiful.
Or it would be if the queen’s two best friends weren’t lesbian.
Ah, look, more disappointment. Lovely.
His Dark Materials
Philip Pullman
This book is the odd one out on the list. I don’t recall the series containing any LGBTQ+. No, Pullman’s books are on this list for a very different reason.
It took four books for Pullman to finally reveal himself, but the hints were there all along. If I had read the series now, I would have spotted it right away, but at the ripe age of twelve, I didn’t exactly have the observational skills of a hawk. But let me spare you the struggle.
Pullman openly mocks Christianity and God Himself throughout the series. He transforms the church into an oppressive government, portrays God as fickle and weak, and tells of Him being overthrown. The entire story is anti-religion and full of false morals.
Conclusion
Well, that’s all for now, but I’m sure I’ll be back soon with more. Have a wonderful day and watch out for these dastardly tricksters!
Happy reading,
Astor
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