Reasons and Resources for Reading in June

June has arrived, a month with many great reasons to read. This edition of OhMG News provides resources to help you find some June-tastic middle grade books!

Pride Month: LGBTQ Reads

First of all, June is Pride Month. Sharing books is a great way to recognize the contributions and promote the visibility of the LGBTQ+ community. LGBTQ Reads is a go-to resource for showcasing and sharing LGBTQ+ literature. Their middle grade selections can be searched by characters, age, state, or theme, and they even have a book list dedicated to kids with queer parents.

Does your middle grade reader like solving mysteries? Maybe they’ll enjoy Drew Laclair Gets a Clue by Katlyn Bury. Is your reader into sports? Try Crushing It by Erin Becker. Maybe you’d like to help normalize same-sex parents through representation in books. Check out Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea by Ashley Herring Blake. These are just a few of the selections found on this site.

National Immigrant Heritage Month: New York Historical

Perhaps a lesser known fact is that June is also National Immigrant Heritage Month. Are you looking for a way to combat hateful messages and teach kids about the contributions of immigrants? Would you like to find inspiring kids’ fiction centering around characters who are immigrants? The New York Historical Society Museum and Library is ready to help.

As part of a book club project, this group has put together a suggested reading list of middle grade literature that portrays the immigrant experience. This list includes award-winning fiction like Enrique Flores-Galbis’s 90 Miles to Havana and empathy-building stories like Donna Jo Napoli’s The King of Mulberry Street. Check out these and other great books on New York Historical’s list.

World Refugee Day: The Hornbook

It is also significant to note that June 20 is World Refugee Day. The Hornbook has created a list of suggested middle grade books to commemorate this occasion. Set in 1961, Cuba in My Pocket by Adrianna Cuevas chronicles the experience of a Cuban boy’s separation from loved ones and adjustment to life in Miami. Orange for the Sunsets by Tina Athaide tells the story of 12-year-old best friends torn apart by the Indian expulsion period in 1972 Uganda. Find these and other meaningful middle grade books on The Hornbook’s list.

Audiobook Appreciation Month: Libro.fm

Finally, June is also Audiobook Appreciation Month. Yes, listening is reading, and Libro.fm’s middle grade library is filled with listen-worthy books. Looking for suspense? Try In the Shadow of the Dark Watchers by L.A. Harvey. Interested in reading the book before seeing the movie? Listen to the The Wild Robot by Peter Brown.

Whether listening individually or sharing an audiobook on long car rides, Libro.fm has some great middle grade selections available. And what better time to enjoy them than Audiobook Appreciation Month?

Start summer off with some great middle grade books that raise awareness, provide entertainment, and help promote a more tolerant and inclusive world!

Susan Koehler

Editor / Agent Spotlight

Susan Koehler is a veteran educator, a lifetime literary enthusiast, and the author of several books for kids and teachers. When she’s not writing, Susan enjoys running away to museums every chance she gets. If she’s lucky, someone from her great big family will reluctantly agree to accompany her. Learn more about Susan's books, workshops, and school visits at susankoehlerwrites.com.