LGBTQIA+ Reads (YA)

These are some of our favourite titles -- in no particular order of preference (except alphabetical by the author's surname, of course!) -- that feature LGBTQIA+ characters or themes. Of course, there's way more than just this in our collection. Check out the Out On The Shelves booklists for more titles -- if you find any that we don't have, please let us know!

Updated June 19, 2024
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Wellington City LibrariesYouth team at Wellington City Libraries
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Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens agenda
Albertalli, Becky
Paper Book
Straight people should have to come out too. And the more awkward it is, the better. Simon Spier is sixteen and trying to work out who he is - and what he's looking for. But when one of his emails to the very distracting Blue falls into the wrong hands, things...
Reps: gay, bisexual, lesbian
One man guy
Barakiva, Michael
Paper Book
Summer school, a cute boy, and overbearing Armenian parents--what's a guy to do? Alek Khederian was looking forward to a relaxing summer. But when his parents announce that he'll be attending summer school in order to bring up his grades, Alek is sure this experience will be...

Reps: gay

The darkest part of the forest
Black, Holly
Paper Book
A girl makes a secret sacrifice to the faerie king in this lush New York Times bestselling fantasy by author Holly Black In the woods is a glass coffin. It rests on the ground, and in it sleeps a boy with horns on his head and ears as pointed as knives.... ...

Reps: gay

Basil and Oregano
Capriglione, Melissa
Paper Book
Mix two parts The Great British Bake Off with one-part magical boarding school plus a generous dash of romance and you've got Basil and Oregano, a sweetly delicious lower young adult graphic novel. Porta Bella Magiculinary Academy is the finest school for the art of...

Reps: lesbian

The long way to a small, angry planet
Chambers, Becky
Paper Book
LONGLISTED FOR THE BAILEY'S WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION 'A quietly profound, humane tour de force' Guardian The beloved debut novel that will restore your faith in humanity #SmallAngryPlanet

Reps: lesbian, gay, bisexual, diverse genders

Jay's guide to crushing it
Clyde, Ruby
Paper Book
  "A warm, witty and touching romantic comedy" - The Guardian It isn't easy working out who you likewhen you're still working out who you are. Jay- sorry, Jennifer- and her family move to a new town for a fresh start, after bullying at her last school went too far. ...

Reps: gender diverse

Dreadnought
Daniels, April (Young adult author)
Paper Book
An action-packed series-starter perfect for fans of The Heroine Complex and Not Your Sidekick. "I didn't know how much I needed this brave, thrilling book until it rocked my world. Dreadnought is the superhero adventure we all need right now."--Charlie Jane...

Reps: trans, lesbian, bisexual, nonbinary

I wish you all the best
Deaver, Mason
Paper Book
Perfect for fans of Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli, Mason Deaver's stunning debut will rip your heart out before showing you how to heal from tragedy and celebrate life in the process."Heartfelt, romantic, and quietly groundbreaking. This book will save lives." -- Becky Albertalli,...

Reps: nonbinary

Everything under the moon : fairy tales in a queerer light
Earp, Michael
Paper Book

Reps: gay, bisexual, aromantic, nonbinary

Pet
Emezi, Akwaeke
Paper Book
NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST * STONEWALL BOOK AWARD WINNER * ONE OF TIME MAGAZINE'S 100 BEST YA BOOKS OF ALL TIME NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR by The New York Times * Time * Buzzfeed * NPR * New York Public Library * Publishers...

Reps: trans

Symptoms of being human
Garvin, Jeff
Paper Book
Starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Booklist * YALSA Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers * ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults List * 2017 Rainbow A sharply honest and moving debut perfect for fans of The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Ask the Passengers. ...

Reps: genderfluid

Picture us in the light
Gilbert, Kelly Loy
Paper Book
Danny Cheng has always known his parents have secrets. But when he discovers a taped-up box in his father's closet filled with old letters and a file on a powerful Silicon Valley family, he realises there's much more to his family's past than he ever imagined. As Danny digs deeper, he uncovers a...
Reps: gay
Perfect on paper
Gonzales, Sophie
Paper Book
A bisexual girl who gives anonymous love advice to her school friends is hired by the hot new kid to help him get his ex back. Leah on the Offbeat meets To All the Boys I've Loved Before in this queer YA rom-com from Sophie Gonzales. 'Perfectly wonderful' - Becky...

Reps: bisexual

How (not) to ask a boy to prom
Goslee, S. J
Paper Book
"If you're looking for a novel to fill the To All The Boys I've Loved Before-shaped hole in your heart, this is the book for you." --Camille Perri, author of When Katie Met Cassidy How (Not) to Ask a Boy to Prom is a modern gender-bent young adult rom com from...

Reps: gay

Hani and Ishu's guide to fake dating
Jaigirdar, Adiba
Paper Book
WINNER OF THE YA BOOK PRIZE 2022! Hani and Ishu couldn't be less alike - and they definitely don't like each other. But when fates collide and they pretend to date each other, things start to get messy... A heart-warming queer YA love story for fans of Becky Albertalli. ...

Reps: bisexual, lesbian

That inevitable Victorian thing
Johnston, E. K.
Paper Book
Speculative fiction from the acclaimed bestselling author of Exit, Pursued by a Bear and Star Wars- Ahsoka. Victoria-Margaret is the crown princess of the empire, a direct descendent of Victoria I, the queen who changed the course of history. The imperial tradition...

Reps: intersex, bisexual

Magical boy : a graphic novel. Volume 1
Kao Studios
Paper Book
A breathtakingly imaginative fantasy series starring Max--a high schooler chosen to become the next "Magical Girl." There's just one catch . . . he's a trans boy!Although he was assigned female at birth, Max is your average trans man trying to get through high school as himself. But on top of...

Reps: trans

Girls like girls : a novel
Kiyoko, Hayley
Paper Book
Trailblazing pop star, actor and director, Hayley Kiyoko debuts her first novel, a coming-of-age romance based on her breakthrough hit song and viral video, GIRLS LIKE GIRLS. It's not that you're not like other girls. It's just that you've never met a girl like you. And then....

reps: lesbian

The extraordinaries
Klune, TJ
Paper Book
An Indie Bestseller! An Indie Next Pick! A Gold Nautilus Book Award Winner! Some people are extraordinary. Some are just extra. New York Times and USA Today bestselling author TJ Klune's YA debut, The Extraordinaries, is a...

Reps: gay, bisexual, lesbian

Fake dates and mooncakes
Lee, Sher
Paper Book
Heartstopper meets Crazy Rich Asians. Fake Dates and Mooncakes is a heartfelt, joyful rom-com by Sher Lee. Fake-dates, mooncakes and rich people problems. But love wasn't meant to be on the menu . . . Meet Dylan Tang: he juggles school and delivery...

Reps: gay

Ryan and Avery
Levithan, David
Paper Book
"David Levithan is an icon of queer young adult fiction. Romance, realism, and relationship drama - Levithan's stories are where my love for queer YA was born." - Alice Oseman From the New York Times bestselling author of EVERY DAY, this is a queer love story for the ages...

Reps: gay, trans

Last night at the Telegraph Club
Lo, Malinda
Paper Book
WINNER OF THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FOR YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE; THE ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN AWARD FOR YOUTH LITERATURE; THE STONEWALL BOOK AWARD (YA); THE PRINTZ HONOR _____________________________________________________________________________________________

Reps: lesbian

The many half-lived lives of Sam Sylvester
MacGregor, Maya
Paper Book
An Andre Norton Nebula Award for Middle Grade and Young Adult Fiction Nominee "Look no further for your next favorite read, because The Many Half-Lived Lives of Sam Sylvester has it all- a gripping murder mystery that will keep you turning pages, ghosts, romance, and a...

Reps: aromantic, asexual, nonbinary

Every heart a doorway
McGuire, Seanan
Paper Book
Winner of the Hugo Award, Hugo Award for Best Series, Alex Award, Locus Award, and Nebula Award Nominated for the World Fantasy Award, British Fantasy Award, and Tiptree Honor List "A mini-masterpiece of portal fantasy -- a jewel of...

Reps: asexual, bisexual, gay, lesbian, trans

I kissed Shara Wheeler
McQuiston, Casey
Paper Book
From the bestselling author of Red, White and Royal Blue and One Last Stop comes a debut YA romantic comedy about chasing down what you want, only to find what you need . . .Chloe Green is so close to winning. After her moms moved her from SoCal to Alabama for high school, she's spent the past four...

Reps: bisexual, lesbian, nonbinary

Red, white & royal blue
McQuiston, Casey
Paper Book
* Instant NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY bestseller * * GOODREADS CHOICE AWARD WINNER for BEST DEBUT and BEST ROMANCE of 2019 * * BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR* for VOGUE, NPR, VANITY FAIR, and more! * What happens when America's First Son falls in love with the...

Reps: gay

Invisibly breathing
Merriman, Eileen (Haematologist)
Paper Book
A moving story about unconventional love, bullying and being true to yourself. 'I wish I wasn't the weirdest sixteen-year-old guy in the universe.' Felix would love to have been a number. Numbers have superpowers and they're safe - any problem they might throw...

Reps: gay

Ramona Blue
Murphy, Julie
Paper Book
The fourth novel from Julie Murphy, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dumplin'--now a Netflix feature film starring Danielle Macdonald and Jennifer Aniston, with a soundtrack by Dolly Parton! For fans of Rainbow Rowell and Morgan Matson, Julie Murphy has created another fearless...

Reps: bisexual

Most ardently : a Pride & prejudice remix
Novoa, Gabe Cole
Paper Book
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! In the Remixed Classics series, authors from marginalized backgrounds reinterpret classic works through their own cultural lens to subvert the overwhelming cishet, white, and male canon. This bittersweet Pride & Prejudice remix follows a...

Reps: gay, trans

Heartstopper. Volume 1
Oseman, Alice
Paper Book
*Now an acclaimed live-action Netflix series!* *Winner of Best Book I Wish I Could Read Again For The First Time - TikTok Book Awards* Boy meets boy. Boys become friends. Boys fall in love. A bestselling LGBTQ+ graphic novel about life, love, and...

Reps: gay, bisexual, lesbian, trans, demisexual, asexual

Loveless
Oseman, Alice
Paper Book
WINNER OF THE YA BOOK PRIZE 2021 LONGLISTED FOR THE POLARI CHILDREN'S & YA BOOK PRIZE 2022 A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER The fourth novel from the phenomenally talented Alice Oseman, author of Solitaire and the graphic...

Reps: asexual, aromantic

Juliet takes a breath
Rivera, Gabby
Paper Book
Juliet Milagros Palante is leaving the Bronx and headed to Portland, Oregon. She just came out to her family and isn't sure if her mom will ever speak to her again. But Juliet has a plan, sort of, one that's going to help her figure out this whole "Puerto Rican lesbian" thing. She's interning with...

Reps: lesbian

Carry on : the rise and fall of Simon Snow
Rowell, Rainbow
Paper Book
#1 New York Times best seller! Booklist Editors' Choice 2015 - Youth! Named a "Best Book of 2015" by Time Magazine, School Library Journal, Barnes & Noble, NPR, PopSugar, The Millions, and The News & Observer! Simon Snow is the worst Chosen One...

Reps: gay

Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the universe
Sa?enz, Benjamin Alire.
Paper Book
Now a major motion picture starring Max Pelayo, Reese Gonzales, and Eva Longoria! A Time Best YA Book of All Time (2021) A lyrical novel about family and friendship from critically acclaimed author Benjamin Alire Sáenz. Aristotle is an...

Reps: gay

Down comes the night
Saft, Allison
Paper Book
"A YA fantasy classic in the making." - Christine Lynn Herman, author of The Devouring Gray "Fans of Leigh Bardugo's "Grisha Trilogy" and Marie Rutkoski's "Winner's Trilogy" have been waiting for this Darkling-esque romance..." - School Library Journal...

Reps: bisexual

Lizard radio
Schmatz, Pat
Paper Book
In a futuristic society run by an all-powerful Gov, a bender teen on the cusp of adulthood has choices to make that will change her life--and maybe the world. Fifteen-year-old bender Kivali has had a rough time in a gender-rigid culture. Abandoned as a baby and raised by Sheila,...

Reps: trans, genderfluid, agender

Wandering son. Volume one
Shimura, Takako
Paper Book
The fifth grade: the threshold to puberty and the beginning of the end of childhood innocence. Shuichi Nitori and his new friend Yoshino Takatsuki have happy homes, loving families and are well-liked by their classmates. But they share a secret that further complicates a time of life that is awkward...

Reps: trans

Lumberjanes [1] : beware the kitten holy
Stevenson, ND
Paper Book
Friendship to the max! Jo, April, Mal, Molly and Ripley are five best pals determined to have an awesome summer together...and they're not gonna let any insane quest or an array of supernatural critters get in their way! Not only is it the second title launching in our new BOOM! Box imprint but...

Reps: lesbian, trans, nonbinary

Cold
Tamaki, Mariko
Paper Book
A boy, a murder, a girl, a secret. From award-winning author Mariko Tamaki comes Cold, a haunting YA novel about a shocking crime, told by a boy who died--and a girl who wants to know why. Who was Todd Mayer, and why don't any of his fellow students at...

Reps: lesbian, gay

The mermaid, the witch, and the sea
Tokuda-Hall, Maggie
Paper Book
In a world divided by colonialism and threaded with magic, a desperate orphan turned pirate and a rebellious imperial lady find a connection on the high seas. Aboard the pirate ship Dove, Flora the girl takes on the identity of Florian the man to earn the respect and protection of the crew. For...

Reps: genderfluid, nonbinary, bixesual, lesbian

Dodge City
Trujillo, Josh
Paper Book
Dodge City is a YA sports comedy about making sense of a chaotic world and growing up against the insane backdrop of competitive dodgeball, told through the eyes of oddball Tomás and his teammates. Life comes at you fast, but dodgeballs come way faster! Tomás is a teenage...

Reps: gay, lesbian

On a sunbeam
Walden, Tillie
Paper Book
"Tillie Walden is the future of comics, and On a Sunbeam is her best work yet. It's a 'space' story unlike any you've ever read, with a rich, lived-in universe of complex characters." --Brian K. Vaughan, Saga and Paper Girls Two timelines. Second chances....

Reps: lesbian

Shatter the sky
Wells, Rebecca Kim
Paper Book
New England Book Award Finalist "A top-notch dragon story...Both nuanced and real." --Shelf Awareness (starred review) "I absolutely devoured it." --Mackenzi Lee, bestselling author of The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue "Perfect for fans...

Reps: bisexual, lesbian

Paper planes
Wood, Jennie
Paper Book
Former best friends Dylan Render and Leighton Worthington attempt to successfully navigate their way through a summer camp for troubled youth. They both need a good evaluation at the camp. Otherwise, they'll be sent away, unable to attend high school with their friends. While participating in camp...

Reps: asexual, nonbinary


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