Queerness is everywhere and it always has been. But queer stories, culture and communities have been often hidden ...

Shortlisted for the SLA Information Book Awards 2025

"Engaging, witty and thoughtful ... full of a supportive kindness that LGBTQ+ teens may find indispensable." - Guardian

Queerbook is an invitation to discover and celebrate queer joy, past and present. It's a whistlestop tour of all the fun (and serious) queer stuff that the foghorn of straight culture drowns out, and that you deserve to know: heroes and histories, science and stories, art, spaces, music, film, TV, fashion - along with jargon-free breakdowns of terms from sexuality and gender identity, to code-switching, intersectionality, bi-erasure, straightwashing, and much, much more.

You don't need any specific interests to read Queerbook - all you need is curiosity and a desire to learn more about what it means to be LGBTQ+. So, say no to the Straightrix and enter the technicolour world over the rainbow ... Ready? Queer we go!

Cover illustration by Madelen Foss

About the Author

Malcolm Mackenzie is an author, editor and journalist, with an encyclopaedic knowledge of pop culture. He has launched two teen magazines, winning Best Editor award from the British Society of Magazine Editors, and written books on K-Pop, BTS, Friends and Ariana Grande. He is also a regular contributor to the Guardian, GQ, Grazia and Glamour magazines.

Emily A. Foster is a queer, autistic illustrator who creates inclusive and joyful artwork. Her work celebrates diversity and aims to create a world everyone can recognise themselves in.

Reviews

"This affirming whistlestop tour through queer history and culture features an A-Z of camp icons as well as protest timelines, changing terminology, iconic artists, music, film and more. Engaging, witty and thoughtful, it's full of a supportive kindness that LGBTQ+ teens may find indispensable." - Guardian

Essential reading for anyone, LGBTQ+ or not. Joyful, fascinating and empowering." - Gillian Anderson

"What a lovely and life-affirming book. I wish I'd had this growing up." - Matt Lucas

"A great place to begin your queer education" - Dean Atta

"A joyful non-fiction guide through the queer world" - Heat Magazine -

"Pride is here, and in looking back, we have come a long way with some set-backs, but we cannot let it stop us from moving forward with both our voices, and sometimes, even our bodies to protect and keep our rights." - The Old Gays

"I would recommend this to any teenager, queer or not, just so they can learn some things and hopefully make some connections." - Rebecca McCormick's Authorial Blog

Book Information
ISBN 9780008812188
Author Malcolm Mackenzie
Format Paperback
Page Count 208
Imprint Red Shed
Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
Weight(grams) 270g
Dimensions(mm) 216mm * 135mm * 21mm