Reading With Pride 2026 - Young Adult, Rainbow Male Character

Need a hand finding pukapuka for the Reading With Pride challenge? Look no further!

This is a list of books that will help you complete the first section of the challenge - reading a book with a rainbow male character.

This is the Young Adult list.

Updated May 11, 2026
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What if it's us
Albertalli, Becky
Paper Book
A New York Times, USA Today, and Indie bestseller! Critically acclaimed and bestselling authors Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera combine their talents in this smart, funny, heartfelt collaboration about two very different boys who can't decide if the universe is pushing them together--or...
The corruption of Hollis Brown
Ancrum, K.
Paper Book
From acclaimed author K. Ancrum comes a queer romantic thriller in which the lives of Hollis, a boy in search of meaning, and Walt, a spirit with unfinished business, collide when Walt takes possession of Hollis's body...and maybe his heart. For fans of Adam Silvera and Aiden Thomas...
Icarus
Ancrum, K.
Paper Book
* FIVE STARRED REVIEWS * * A LAMBDA LITERARY AWARD FINALIST * Perfect for fans of Adam Silvera and Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, this suspenseful queer YA romance from critically acclaimed author K. Ancrum reimagines the tale of Icarus as a star-crossed...
The black flamingo
Atta, Dean
Paper Book
"Intensely moving and heart-warming" Cosmo "Bold" Guardian "I loved every word" Malorie Blackman WINNER OF THE STONEWALL BOOK AWARD 2020 This is not about being ready, it's not even about being fierce, or fearless, IT'S ABOUT...
All that's left in the world
Brown, Erik J.
Paper Book
Jamie and Andrew are strangers, but they're two of the last people left alive. They don't know what they'll find on their dangerous journey ... but they might just find each other. The genre-bending queer dystopian romance about courage, hope and humanity for fans of The Last of Us,...
The only light left burning
Brown, Erik J.
Paper Book
Jamie and Andrew found each other ... now they must rescue what they left behind. The electrifying conclusion to the hit genre-bending queer dystopian romance All That's Left in the World, for fans of The Last of Us, They Both Die at the End, The Hunger Games...
The lost Book of the White
Clare, Cassandra
Paper Book
From #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Cassandra Clare and award-winning author Wesley Chu comes the second book in the Eldest Curses series, which continues the love story between Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood. The Lost Book of the White is a Shadowhunters...
Another first chance
Couch, Robbie
Paper Book
They Both Die at the End meets You've Reached Sam, in this "superb...thought-provoking" (Booklist, starred review) speculative young adult novel from New York Times bestselling author Robbie Couch that explores all the different ways love can live on after...
If I see you again tomorrow
Couch, Robbie
Paper Book
A New York Times bestseller! From the author of The Sky Blues and Blaine for the Win comes a speculative young adult romance about a teen stuck in a time loop that's endlessly monotonous until he meets the boy of his dreams. For some...
Gwen and Art Are Not in Love
Croucher, Lex.
Paper Book
'Exactly what I needed right now - a delightful, heartwarming, hilarious historical romp, overflowing with queer panic and terrible jokes. I loved it' - ALICE OSEMAN, bestselling author of HEARTSTOPPER 'Fun and genuinely funny, with lovely friendships and first-rate...
Aces wild : a heist
DeWitt, Amanda
Paper Book
What happens in Vegas when an all-asexual online friend group attempts to break into a high-stakes gambling club? Shenanigans ensue. Some people join chess club, some people play football. Jack Shannon runs a secret blackjack ring in his private school's basement. What else is...
Hazelthorn
Drews, C. G.
Paper Book
Knives Out meets Belladonna in this gorgeously gothic queer YA horror and dark romance about an inherited estate, murderous relatives, and a garden with a taste for blood, from the New York Times bestselling author of Don't Let the Forest In and The Boy Who...
The Witch King
Edgmon, H. E.
Paper Book
A New York Public Library Best Book for Teens 2021 To save a fae kingdom, a trans witch must face his traumatic past and the royal fiancé he left behind. In Asalin, fae rule and witches like Wyatt Croft...don't. Wyatt's betrothal to fae prince...
Those Pink Mountain nights
Ferguson, Jenny
Paper Book
In her remarkable second novel following her Governor General's Award-winning debut, The Summer of Bitter and Sweet, Jen Ferguson writes about the hurt of a life stuck in past tense, the hum of connections that cannot be severed, and one week in a small, snowy town that changes everything. <...
Canto contigo : a novel
Garza Villa, Jonny
Paper Book
STONEWALL BOOK AWARDS - MIKE MORGAN & LARRY ROMANS YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE AWARD WINNER THE PUBLISHING TRIANGLE AWARDS - JACQUELINE WOODSON AWARD FOR LGBTQ+ CHILDREN'S/YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE WINNER When a Mariachi star transfers schools, he...
If this gets out
Gonzales, S.
Paper Book
"If This Gets Out is an absolute showstopper! Equal parts edgy and adorable, this bright, joyful book has everything I look for in a queer YA romance." - Phil Stamper, bestselling author of The Gravity of Us One of the world's biggest boy bands. A secret love....
The forest demands its due
Jackson, Kosoko
Paper Book
A Lesson in Vengeance meets The Taking of Jake Livingston in this page-turning YA horror/fantasy set in dark academia about a queer Black teen who discovers the sinister history of his boarding school and the corrupt powers behind it all. Regent Academy has a long and storied...
This fatal kiss
Jasinska, Alicia
Paper Book
An immersive fantasy, filled with dark magic, mystery and romance, from the author of The Dark Tide. Cursed to haunt the river running through the magical spa town where she drowned, water nymph Gisela dreams of returning to the living world and the family she...
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...
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...
Destination unknown
Konigsberg, Bill
Paper Book
  From Stonewall Award winner Bill Konigsberg, a remarkable, funny, sexy, heartbreaking story of two teen boys finding each other in New York City at the height of the AIDS epidemic. The first thing I noticed about C.J. Gorman was his plexiglass bra. It's 1987...
Now, conjurers
Kölsch, Freddie
Paper Book
"This sensational YA debut blends tense, terrifying horror with dark humour, queer romance and hugely original storytelling." Guardian November 1999, North Dana, Massachusetts. The body of Bastion Attia - high school quarterback, secret witch, and Nesbit Nuñez's even-more...
Meet cute diary
Lee, Emery
Paper Book
Felix Ever After meets Becky Albertalli in this swoon-worthy, heartfelt rom-com about how a transgender teen's first love challenges his ideas about perfect relationships. * A 2022 ALA Rainbow Booklist Selection * A Junior Library Guild Selection * Noah Ramirez thinks he's an expert...
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-told over the...
Good Young Men
Lonesborough, Gary
Paper Book
A brilliant contemporary YA coming-of-age novel about three small-town Aboriginal friends finding their way towards adulthood, from the multi-award-winning author of The Boy from the Mish, We Didn't Think It Through and I'm Not Really Here.
It's a bit more complicated than that
Marshall, Hannah (Author)
Paper Book
Zelle and Callum used to be best friends, but they haven't spoken in three years: not since the tragedy that wrenched them apart, and Zelle moved away.
Beating heart baby
Min, Lio
Paper Book
From debut author Lio Min comes BEATING HEART BABY, a tender love letter to internet friendships, anime, and indie rock, perfect for fans of HEARTSTOPPER When Santi arrives in Los Angeles, he hopes he can move past the loss of the childhood internet friend...
The summer Hikaru died. 1
Mokumokuren
Paper Book
It has Hikaru's face. It has Hikaru's voice. It even has Hikaru's memories. But whatever came down from the mountains six months ago isn't Yoshiki's best friend. Whatever it is, it's dangerous. Carrying on at school and hanging out as if nothing has changed--as if Hikaru isn't gone--would be crazy.....
The summer Hikaru died. 2
Mokumokuren (Manga writer)
Paper Book
Yoshiki tried to pretend nothing was wrong, but the truth cannot be ignored. Hikaru is gone. "Hikaru" is here. This new version is dangerous...or perhaps not? One thing's for sure--Yoshiki doesn't seem to be in harm's way. In fact, "Hikaru" seems to want nothing more than to befriend and protect him...
Only this beautiful moment
Nazemian, Abdi
Paper Book
2019. Moud is an out gay teen living in Los Angeles with his distant father, Saeed. When Moud gets the news that his grandfather in Iran is dying, he accompanies his dad to Tehran, where the revelation of family secrets will force Moud into a new understanding of his history, his culture, and...
Skater boy
Nerada, Anthony
Paper Book
In this YA pop punk debut about queer romance and destroying labels, a teen risks everything to write his own story. Perfect for fans of Sonora Reyes and Adib Khorram. Stonebridge High's resident bad boy, Wesley "Big Mac" Mackenzie, is failing senior year--thanks to his...
Heartstopper. Volume 1
Oseman, Alice
Paper Book
*NEW YORK TIMES AND SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR* *Heartstopper Forever movie coming July 17 from Netflix* *HEARTSTOPPER: fastest ever selling graphic novel* *Winner of Best Book I Wish I Could Read Again...
Heartstopper. Volume 2
Oseman, Alice
Paper Book
The second book in the delightfully sweet Heartstopper series, featuring beautiful two-color artwork! Now streaming on Netflix! Nick and Charlie are best friends, but one spontaneous kiss has changed everything. In the aftermath, Charlie thinks that he's made a...
Heartstopper. Volume 3
Oseman, Alice
Paper Book
*NEW YORK TIMES AND SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR* *Heartstopper Forever movie coming July 17 from Netflix* *HEARTSTOPPER: fastest ever selling graphic novel* *Winner of Best Book I Wish I Could Read Again...
Heartstopper. Volume 4
Oseman, Alice
Paper Book
*NEW YORK TIMES AND SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR* *Heartstopper Forever movie coming July 17 from Netflix* *HEARTSTOPPER: fastest ever selling graphic novel* *Shortlisted for Book of the Year at the British...
Heartstopper. Volume 5
Oseman, Alice
Paper Book
*NEW YORK TIMES AND SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR* *Heartstopper Forever movie coming July 17 from Netflix* *HEARTSTOPPER: fastest ever selling graphic novel* *Winner of Best Book I Wish I Could Read Again...
Heartstopper Volume 6: Boy meets boy in the instant no.1 bestselling graphic novel, also on Netflix!
Oseman, Alice.
Paper Book
*NEW YORK TIMES AND SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR* *Heartstopper Forever movie coming July 17 from Netflix* *HEARTSTOPPER: fastest ever selling graphic novel* *Winner of Best Book I Wish I Could Read Again...
Dark heir
Pacat, C. S.
Paper Book
In this riveting sequel to the New York Times bestselling novel Dark Rise, Will and his allies have survived the Dark's first assault, but at a terrible cost.
Dark rise
Pacat, C. S.
Paper Book
The first book in a brilliant YA fantasy trilogy from internationally acclaimed Australian author CS Pacat.
The Honeys
La Sala, Ryan
Paper Book
From Ryan La Sala, the wildly popular author of Reverie, comes a twisted and tantalizing horror novel set amidst the bucolic splendor of a secluded summer retreat. Mars has always been the lesser twin, the shadow to his sister Caroline's radiance. But when Caroline dies under horrific...
Surrender your sons
Sass, Adam
Paper Book
Surrender Your Sonsis an LGBTQ+ YA mystery / thriller that expertly blends together humor, horror, and heart, in a wholly unique read like no other. A blend of Lostand Lord of the Flies... just with gay teenagers taking the horrors of the world head on. A 2020 Booklist Top 10 First...
The darkness outside us
Schrefer, Eliot
Paper Book
They Both Die at the End meets Gravity in this mind-bending sci-fi mystery and tender love story about two boys aboard a spaceship sent on a rescue mission, from two-time National Book Award finalist Eliot Schrefer. Stonewall Honor Award winner! Two boys, alone in space....
The first to die at the end
Silvera, Adam
Paper Book
The second book and prequel in the No. 1 global bestselling They Both Die at the End series. What if you could find out your death date from a single phone call? Death-Cast is calling . . . will you answer? 'If They Both Die at the End broke your heart and...
History is all you left me
Silvera, Adam
Paper Book
From the author of the INTERNATIONAL NO. 1 BESTSELLER THEY BOTH DIE AT THE END comes an explosive examination of grief, mental illness, and the devastating consequences of refusing to let go of the past.  Please note that covers may vary. ...
More happy than not
Silvera, Adam
Paper Book
A special Deluxe Edition of Adam Silvera's groundbreaking debut featuring an introduction by Angie Thomas, New York Times bestselling author of The Hate U Give; a new final chapter, "More Happy Ending"; and an afterword about where it all began. In his twisty,...
The survivor wants to die at the end
Silvera, Adam
Paper Book
Two strangers, each with their own complicated relationship to Death-Cast, help each other learn to live. Paz Dario stays up every night, waiting for the Death-Cast call that would mean he doesn't have to keep faking his way through this lonely life. After a...
They both die at the end
Silvera, Adam
Paper Book
The first book in the No. 1 global bestselling They Both Die at the End series. What if you could find out your death date from a single phone call? Death-Cast is calling . . . will you answer? 'If They Both Die at the End broke your heart and put it back...
The gravity of us
Stamper, Phil
Paper Book
_______________ "I'm so starry-eyed for this wise, romantic gem of a book." - Becky Albertalli, bestselling author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda 'A big-hearted, witty, and intensely relatable debut about reaching for your dreams without...
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...
Celestial monsters
Thomas, Aiden
Paper Book
A heart-stopping duology finale, in which three young semidioses travel through a dark monster-infested world, facing down chaotic Obsidian gods, in a quest to save their friends and return the sun to the sky. Celestial Monsters is the sequel to mexican inspired YA fantasy The...
Cemetery boys
Thomas, Aiden
Paper Book
Cemetery Boys is an LGBTQIA+ ghost story about magic, acceptance and what it means to be your true self. From the instant New York Times-bestelling author Aiden Thomas. Yadriel has summoned a ghost, and now he can't get rid of him. In an...
The Sunbearer Trials
Thomas, Aiden
Paper Book
Welcome to The Sunbearer Trials, where ten semidioses compete in a series of challenges with the highest of stakes, in this breathtaking, Mexican-inspired fantasy from Aiden Thomas, the author of the bestselling Cemetery Boys. Only the most powerful and honorable will be...
The backstagers. Volume one, Rebels without applause
Tynion, James, IV
Paper Book
When Jory transfers to an all-boys private high school, he's taken in by the only ones who don't treat him like a new kid, the lowly stage crew known as the Backstagers. Not only does he gain great, lifetime friends, Jory is also introduced to an entire magical world that lives beyond the...
Always the almost : a novel
Underhill, Edward
Paper Book
A trans pianist makes a New Year's resolution on a frozen Wisconsin night to win regionals and win back his ex, but a new boy complicates things in Edward Underhill's heartfelt debut YA rom-dram, Always the Almost. Sixteen-year-old trans boy Miles Jacobson has two New...
Compound fracture
White, Andrew Joseph
Paper Book
On the night Miles Abernathy--sixteen-year-old socialist and proud West Virginian--comes out as trans to his parents, he sneaks off to a party, carrying evidence that may finally turn the tide of the blood feud plaguing Twist Creek: Photos that prove the county's Sheriff Davies was responsible for...
Hell followed with us
White, Andrew Joseph
Paper Book
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A furious, queer debut novel about embracing the monster within and unleashing its power against your oppressors. "A long, sustained scream to the various strains of anti-transgender legislation multiplying around the world...
The spirit bares its teeth
White, Andrew Joseph
Paper Book
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! A Stonewall Honor Book in Young Adult Literature! A blood-soaked and nauseating triumph that cuts like a scalpel and reads like your darkest nightmare. New York Times bestselling author Andrew Joseph White...
Aspiring
Wilkins, Damien
Paper Book
Fifteen-year-old Ricky lives in Aspiring, a town that's growing at an alarming rate. Ricky's growing, too -- 6'7", and taller every day. But he's stuck in a loop: student, uncommitted basketballer, and puzzled son, burdened by his family's sadness. And who's the weird guy in town with a chauffeur...
Iron widow
Zhao, Xiran Jay
Paper Book
Instant New York Times No.1 Bestseller. A YA Pacific Rim meets the Handmaid's Tale retelling of the rise of Wu Zetian, the only female emperor in Chinese history. I have no faith in love. Love cannot save me. I choose vengeance. The boys of Huaxia dream of...
Ace of spades
Àbíké-Íyímídé, Faridah
Paper Book
How can you play the game when the cards are stacked against you? AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER WINNER OF THE 2021 BOOKS ARE MY BAG READERS' AWARD FOR YOUNG ADULT FICTION NOMINATED FOR THE CARNEGIE MEDAL 2022 "One of 2021's biggest books." gal-dem...

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