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LGBTQ+ YA books for everyone under the rainbow
Queer stories by queer authors that celebrate coming out and living as your authentic self.
Veröffentlicht am 27. September 2023
Like a Love Story
Abdi NazemianAt the very end of the 1980s, three teens (and one beloved gay uncle) are trying to navigate the HIV/AIDS crisis and fight against homophobia in New York City. Reza knows he’s gay, but he hides it, for fear that it spells his death; he becomes friends with Judy, who’s into fashion despite the fat-shaming she endures, and Art, the only openly gay boy at their school. The trio navigates love and loss with grace in this affecting story.
I Kissed Shara Wheeler: A Novel
Casey McQuistonSet in small-town Alabama, McQuiston’s (“One Last Stop,” “Red, White, & Royal Blue”) first YA novel is a lively high school mystery with diverse representation. Popular, pretty Shara Wheeler kisses L.A. transplant Chloe Green, and then disappears. Chloe and classmates Smith and Rory (who Shara also kissed) follow mysterious notes left by Shara, determined to find her before graduation. This fun story of intrigue explores heavier topics like bigotry and identity.
You Should See Me in a Crown
Leah JohnsonA perfectly executed rom-com starring a queer, black teen running for prom queen. Wallflower Liz Lighty is determined to be crowned prom queen and win the $10,000 scholarship prize associated with the honor so she can afford to go to an elite college. The biggest problem? Liz is in love with one of her prom queen competitors.
Loveless
Alice OsemanGeorgia Warr loves love in theory, but in practice romantic escapades feel all wrong. As Georgia heads off to university — where hookups are on everyone’s mind — her feelings of isolation deepen until a mentor introduces her to the asexual, aromantic identity. “Loveless” is an LGBTQIA+ YA story of coming into one’s own and discovering the vast definitions of love and intimacy. A worthy read that gives much-needed representation to the aro-ace experience.
The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School
Sonora ReyesReyes’ touching story of coming into one’s own follows Yamilet “Yami” Flores, a Mexican American teenager recently enrolled in a predominantly white Catholic school. Still reeling from being outed by her ex-best friend, Yami is determined to keep her sexuality a secret from her new peers — and her mother. But her resolve wavers after meeting Bo, a pretty, smart, and openly gay classmate. “The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School” teaches us how to embrace our truth and celebrate our identities.
The Sky Blues
Robbie CouchBeing openly gay in a small town is hard, and Sky’s certainly seen his fair share of hardship: His mom kicked him out and he’s constantly hiding burn scars from an accident. Still, Sky is determined to make his senior year great with an epic promposal, even when homophobic hackers try to ruin that, too. A book that’s overflowing with Pride.
Pumpkin
Julie Murphy“Pumpkin” is the final book in Julie Murphy’s “Dumplin’” universe following an all-new character, Waylon Russell Brewer. Almost every passage in this Pride-filled, fat-accepting book is highlight-worthy. Waylon is dipping his toes into the drag scene at the start of the book, and by the end, he’s the ultimate queen.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
Benjamin Alire SáenzBenjamin Alire Sáenz’s stunning novel is a delicate and beautifully written portrayal of the intensity and unruly passion that comes with our formative teenage years. It lives up to the elegance of its cover and mouthful of a title. A visceral reminder of the life-altering effects that happen when you meet that one person: your first love.
The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue
Mackenzi LeeForbes named Lee one of the top 30 “young, creative, and bold minds” of 2020, and Teen Vogue calls her rollicking YA novel, “The queer teen historical you didn’t know was missing from your life.” Sparks fly when two friends embark on an 18th-century European road trip, complete with a bisexual young lord, highwaymen, pirates, and magic.
Cemetery Boys
Aiden ThomasA cute, queer love story between a gay trans boy and a ghost. Yadriel is determined to prove his gender identity to his Latinx family by exhibiting powers of a brujo rather than a bruja. Yadriel means to summon the ghost of his recently deceased cousin, but instead ends up with the spirit of his school’s bad boy, Julian Diaz. A stunning #OwnVoices story that is breaking down several barriers.
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
Becky AlbertalliOf course you’ll love this book if you’re a champion of more LGBTQ+ representation in YA, but also if you generally enjoy quippy teenage wit. Simon’s coming out story is a great blend of lovable teenage hijinks, mystery, and cute romance.
I Wish You All the Best
Mason DeaverNonbinary author Mason Deaver’s debut novel tackles the adversity Ben De Backer faces when they come out as nonbinary to their parents and get thrown out of the house. Ben goes to live with their estranged sister and her husband, and meets a great new friend in Nathan. While YA novels have led the way in positive representation of the LGBTQ+ community, nonbinary stories are still few and far between.
The Miseducation of Cameron Post
Emily M. DanforthBoth the book and the movie versions of “The Miseducation of Cameron Post” have been critically lauded and beloved. Emily M. Danforth’s debut meanders its way into your heart, less a gut punch and more a pressure that builds and builds upon many quiet moments. An important novel about one young woman staying steadfastly who she is against the evils of ignorance.
Felix Ever After
Kacen CallenderBlack, queer, and trans, 17-year-old artist Felix Love is having a complicated summer. Targeted by an anonymous transphobic bully, Felix catfishes his suspected tormentor, but his plan for revenge sends him on an adventure of love and self-discovery. With a fantastic (and diverse) cast, this feel-good novel is wonderfully messy, warm, and full of friendship and love.
The Weight of the Stars
K. AncrumA slow burn enemies-to-lovers romance meets existential science fiction in this dreamy, character-driven YA novel. When an orphan who longs to escape her trailer park to go explore the stars meets a loner left behind by her mother, an astronaut on a suicide mission in space, the girls’ smoldering dislike for one another ignites into something stellar.
Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating
Adiba JaigirdarHani and Ishu are both queer Bengali girls living in Ireland, but the similarities stop there: Hani is boisterous, proudly Muslim, and openly bisexual, while Ishu is surly, atheist, and closeted. They find themselves in a fake relationship on the promise of mutual gain, and instead discover they’re developing mutual feelings. Both the serious explorations of intersecting identities and the cute romance tropes are pulled off with aplomb.
None of the Above
I. W. GregorioKristin Lattimer is riding high after being voted homecoming queen, but it all comes crashing down when the whole school finds out that she is intersex. “None of the Above” sensitively explores questions about gender and sexuality while shining light on a condition few people know about or understand.
The Music of What Happens
Bill KonigsbergBill Konigsberg is a staple of YA LGBTQ+ literature, and this one may just be his best book yet. Opposites attract in this novel about two queer boys running a food truck during the summer in Arizona.
Cinderella Is Dead
Kalynn BayronFairy-tale turns into a nightmare in this fantasy dystopia where the story of Cinderella has become the foundation of a patriarchal dictatorship. Sophia doesn’t want to find Prince Charming: She loves women, and she’s not going to be forced into a heteronormative marriage without a fight. “Cinderella is Dead” is unapologetically angry and ready to destroy the patriarchy.
Let's Talk About Love
Claire Kann“Let’s Talk About Love” stars an asexual and bi-romantic black lead who, in her first year of college, is grappling with her sexual identity, the expectations of her parents and friends, and her growing feelings for Takumi. An ace story full of #BlackGirlMagic.
She Drives Me Crazy
Kelly QuindlenQuindlen is a queer community darling, and “She Drives Me Crazy” may be her best book yet. This feel-good YA novel is propelled by a believable enemies-to-lovers romance and quippy dialog: Basketball star Scottie starts to fake date head cheerleader Irene in a plot to get back at Scottie’s ex. But as Scottie and Irene begin carpooling together and spending more time pretending to court each other, grudges turn into genuine crushes.
Clap When You Land
Elizabeth AcevedoThis novel by Afro-Dominican author Elizabeth Acevedo explores a feeling shared by many immigrants: that of living double lives. “Clap When You Land” is the bittersweet story of two girls living in different countries who, in one tragic moment, lose a father but gain a sister. After Papi Rios perishes in a plane crash, his daughters Camino and Yahaira learn of each other’s existence for the very first time. Heartbreak leads to healing in this unforgettable YA triumph.
More Happy Than Not
Adam SilveraSilvera’s debut is unforgettable, with its compelling characters, its deft depiction of class politics without relying on stereotypes and slang, and its message that hardship helps us find happiness.
We Set the Dark on Fire
Tehlor Kay MejiaWhile “We Set the Dark on Fire” has a dark political premise similar to “The Handmaid’s Tale,” where women are forced to marry out of duty — each man gets two wives, one Primera and one Segunda — it lives up to the rebellious hope of its title. Dani and Carmen, who hated each other all through finishing school, are the Primera and Segunda for the same powerful man. Instead of centering his needs, the two girls fall for each other, and work together to topple the dystopian system.
Gearbreakers
Zoe Hana Mikuta“Gearbreakers” is a must-read for fans of Xiran Jay Zhao’s “Iron Widow” and anime like “Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury.” In Mikuta’s novel, mech pilots pretend to fight in favor of the corrupt system, though they’re actually hellbent on destroying it from within. There’s also a slowburn sapphic romance to root for.
Blanca & Roja
Anna-Marie McLemoreTwo sisters from a cursed family. One destined to become a swan. Both fiercely devoted to protecting the other from that fate. In this magical YA novel, author Anna-Marie McLemore reimagines a queer Swan Lake and Snow White woven together with Latinx folklore, all while reveling in the love of family, both the kind we are born into and the kind we choose for ourselves.
Kings, Queens, and In-Betweens
Tanya BotejuNima is sure she’s lesbian, but she’s not confident about much else. She’s also in love with her (straight) friend and lives in a tight-knit small town. But once Nima finds out about the town’s drag culture, her journey of self-discovery really begins. For any fans of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
If I Was Your Girl
Meredith RussoThis is a sweet #OwnVoices story about a transgender girl at the center of a tender teen romance. “If I Was Your Girl” powerfully captures the everyday slights endured by transgender people everywhere and the struggles with self-acceptance and beautifully balances it with a heartwarming love story. Meredith Russo’s debut won the Stonewall Book Award.