Opinion

Having Pride in Our Books: June’s New Reads for Pride Month

June is a month for having pride in oneself, showing your love for the people around you, and showing your care for the diversity and inclusion of the world. To kick off June, here is a list of highly recommended novels and graphic novels that carry the theme of inclusivity and unity.

Kai M. Skorupski, Reporter • June 10, 2025

Graphics by Kai M. Skorupski

Hello June and happy Pride Month to everyone! To kick off the month, I have collaborated with numerous readers to gather the biggest books of the month to support diversity, unity, and inclusivity!

If you’re in doubt of what to read this month to show your pride, look no further because here are our top eight books for Pride Month!

Novels

Rethinking Normal: A Memoir in Transition – Katie Rain Hill

(Memoir, Nonfiction, Queer, Transgender)

Katie shares her personal journey growing up transgender in Oklahoma. This honest memoir explores identity, love, and finding yourself, written from a teen perspective.

Loveless – Alice Oseman

(Young Adult, Contemporary, Queer, Fiction, Romance)

Georgia has never been in love or had a crush, and she’s starting to wonder if she ever will. This story explores asexuality and aromantic identity with heart, humor, and lots of self-discovery.

Some Assembly Required: The Not-So-Secrete Life of a Transgender Teen – Arin Andrews

(Memoir, Queer, Transgender, Nonfiction)

Arin tells his story of transitioning as a teenager, dealing with family, school, and growing up in the spotlight. It’s honest, inspiring, and vulnerable.

Rick – Alex Gino

(Middle Grade, Contemporary, Queer, Fiction, Realistic Fiction)

Rick is figuring out who he is – and who he isn’t. As he learned about asexuality and starts questioning the world around him, this middle-grade story gently explores identity and acceptance.

Comics/Graphic Novels

Heartstopper (Series) – Alice Oseman

(Young Adult, Queer, Contemporary, Fiction)

Nick and Charlie’s friendship slowly turns into something more in this adorable graphic novel series. It’s about first love, coming out, and being there for each other.

Cheer Up: Love and Pom Poms – Crystal Frasier

(Young Adult, Romance, Lesbian, Transgender)

A transgender girl and her former best friend reconnect on the cheer squad in this bright, warm graphic novel. It’s about friendship, identity, and standing up for yourself.

Welcome to St. Hell: My Trans Teen Misadventure – Lewis Hancox

(Memoir, Nonfiction, Queer, Transgender)

Told with humor and heart, this graphic memoir follows Lewis as he navigates being a transgender teen in the UK. It’s funny, real, and incredibly vulnerable.

The Prince and the Dressmaker – Jen Wang

(Young Adult, Romance, Queer)

A young prince loves wearing dresses in secret – and finds a best friend and designer in a bold dressmaker. This fairy tale-style graphic novel is about friendship, fashion, and living as your true self.

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About the Contributor

Kai M. Skorupski, Reporter

Kai Skorupski is a junior beginning her first stint at The Paw Print. Skorupski was born and raised in Suffield, Connecticut, and although she has moved schools a few times, she knows her roots and the impact that the Suffield schools have had on her. In her free time, Skorupski loves reading, listening to music, and having time to do all the things she’s passionate about. She is in a variety of clubs including Spirit Squad, Cooking with the Stars, the Gender and Sexuality Alliance and a litany of others that show her participation in our high school community. In her love for writing, Skorupski joined the newspaper because of her passions for writing along with the notoriety of a newspaper. “I joined (The Paw Print) to not only just get a name for myself, but also to participate in something that had a lot of potential.” After high school, Skorupski plans to attend Asnuntuck Community College and hopes to pursue a career in the health sciences. Skorupski has a passion for helping and informing others, which will fit her well now and well after high school.