“This is Our Rainbow is a collection of treasures, each story a unique and wonderful experience to behold. These stories are going to change young people’s lives!“
Sheaf & Ink
The Stories
The first LGBTQIA+ anthology for middle-graders featuring stories for every letter of the acronym, including realistic, fantasy, and sci-fi stories by authors like Justina Ireland, Marieke Nijkamp, Alex Gino, and more!
A boyband fandom becomes a conduit to coming out. A former bully becomes a first-kiss prospect. One nonbinary kid searches for an inclusive athletic community after quitting gymnastics. Another nonbinary kid, who happens to be a pirate, makes a wish that comes true–but not how they thought it would. A tween girl navigates a crush on her friend’s mom. A young witch turns herself into a puppy to win over a new neighbor. A trans girl empowers her online bestie to come out.
From wind-breathing dragons to first crushes, This Is Our Rainbow features story after story of joyful, proud LGBTQIA+ representation. You will fall in love with this insightful, poignant anthology of queer fantasy, historical, and contemporary stories from authors including: Eric Bell, Lisa Jenn Bigelow, Ashley Herring Blake, Lisa Bunker, Alex Gino, Justina Ireland, Shing Yin Khor, Katherine Locke, Mariama J. Lockington, Nicole Melleby, Marieke Nijkamp, Claribel A. Ortega, Mark Oshiro, Molly Knox Ostertag, Aisa Salazar, and AJ Sass.
My Review: This Is Our Rainbow
I will try my best to explain the importance and brilliance of this book.
Every story in this anthology is a gift. Each one, a ball of light ready to burst free from its makings and radiate the warmth and vibrancy like a newborn star. These stories write a piece of humanity onto the page in such a thoughtful and meaningful way that children can relate to and enjoy.
It’s a gathering of moments, where a collective voice can be heard. The sound like music, the notes playing a fervent masterpiece unfolding in three hundred and thirty six pages like pedals from a budding flower opening for the first time towards the sun. Having all the letters in the beautiful acronym that is LGBTQIA+ represented in a way where readers will find themselves holding this book close, knowing they are seen and loved.
A Few More Thoughts
This Is Our Rainbow is an essential read. Each story captures, like a the click of the camera, the image crystalizing instantly in readers minds, the genuine and often vulnerable feelings each of these characters experience, be it the bee like sting of rejection, the fluttering wings of nervousness for someone you like or trying something new, the tear drops of sorrow when you feel alone, and the sometimes terrifying, yet empowering moment of self-discovery and identity.
These stories are refreshing in their representation and validating feelings many children may have when they are in the midst of discovering who they are and who they like.
Read this book.
Happy Reading ̴ Cece
RATING: 
– Exceptionally Inked
Sheaf & Ink Photo Collage This Is Our Rainbow
Publication Details
| Pub Date | ISBN | Page Count | Publisher | Age Group | Review Posted Online |
| 19-Oct-21 | 978-0593303948 | 336 | Knopf Books for Young Readers | 8-12 | October 21, 2021 |
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- Check out this great Q&A with the editors Katherine Locke and Nicole Melleby hosted by the team over at We Need Diverse Books of this fantastic book This Is Our Rainbow: 16 Stories of Her, Him, Them, and Us.
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