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
Now a major motion picture: Love, Simon, starring Nick Robinson and Katherine Langford! William C. Morris Award Winner: Best Young Adult Debut of the Year * National Book Award Longlist "A remarkable gift of a novel."--Andrew Smith, author of Grasshopper Jungle ...
Reps: gay, bisexual, lesbian
The darkest part of the forest
Black, Holly
Stand-alone player
"Children can have a cruel, absolute sense of justice. Children can kill a monster and feel quite proud of themselves. A girl can look at her brother and believe they're destined to be a knight and a bard who battle evil. She can believe she's found the thing she's been made for."""Hazel lives with...

Reps: gay

Basil and Oregano
Capriglione, Melissa
Paper Book
Porta Bella Magiculinary Academy is the finest school for the art of cooking with magic, and Basil Eyres is determined to be the top student. On the first day of her senior year, Arabella Oregano, the daughter of a renowned chef, joins the academy for her senior year as well. The two are instantly...

Reps: lesbian

The long way to a small, angry planet
Chambers, Becky
Paper Book
National Bestseller! The acclaimed modern science fiction masterpiece, Hugo Award winner for Best Series! Follow a motley crew on an exciting journey through space--and one adventurous young explorer who discovers the meaning of family in the far reaches of the universe--in this...

Reps: lesbian, gay, bisexual, diverse genders

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

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

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, S.
Paper Book
"Perfectly wonderful." --Becky Albertalli, New York Times-bestselling author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda "An electrifying love story." --Booklist FROM NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY-BESTSELLING AND INDIE NEXT PICK AUTHOR Sophie Gonzales...

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
Everyone likes Humaira "Hani" Khan--she's easy going and one of the most popular girls at school. But when she comes out to her friends as bisexual, they invalidate her identity, saying she can't be bi if she's only dated guys. Panicked, Hani blurts out that she's in a relationship...with a girl...

Reps: bisexual, lesbian

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
*INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER* 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 summertime and 17-year-old Coley has...

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 bestselling author TJ Klune's YA debut, The Extraordinaries, is a queer coming-of-age story about...

Reps: gay, bisexual, lesbian

Fake dates and mooncakes
Lee, Sher
Audiobook
Heartstopper meets Crazy Rich Asians in this heartfelt, joyful audiobook rom-com that follows an aspiring chef who discovers the recipe for love is more complicated than it seems when he starts fake-dating a handsome new customer. Dylan Tang wants to win a Mid...

Reps: gay

Ryan and Avery
Levithan, David
Paper Book
From the New York Times bestselling author of EVERY DAY, this is a queer love story for the ages--told over the course of a couple's first ten dates. When a blue-haired boy (Ryan) meets a pink-haired boy (Avery) at a dance--a queer prom--both feel an inexplicable but...

Reps: gay, trans

Wide awake
Levithan, David.
Ebook
Now with exclusive bonus content from author David Levithan, the New York Times bestselling mind behind Every Day and Another Day. An emotional and politically charged novel that's a must-read for turbulent times when the very democratic process itself is called...

Reps: gay

Last night at the Telegraph Club
Lo, Malinda
Paper Book
Winner of the National Book Award A New York Times Bestseller "The queer romance we've been waiting for."--Ms. Magazine Seventeen-year-old Lily Hu can't remember exactly when the feeling took root--that desire to look, to move closer, to touch....

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 : a novel
McQuiston, Casey
Paper Book
*INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER* *INSTANT #1 INDIE BESTSELLER* *INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER* From the New York Times bestselling author of One Last Stop and Red, White & Royal Blue comes a romantic comedy about chasing down what you...

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

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
Boy meets boy. Boys become friends. Boys fall in love. A sweet and charming coming-of-age story that explores friendship, love, and coming out. This edition features beautiful two-color artwork. Now streaming on Netflix! Shy and softhearted Charlie Spring sits next to...

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

Loveless
Oseman, Alice
Paper Book
For fans of Love, Simon and I Wish You All the Best, a funny, honest, messy, completely relatable story of a girl who realizes that love can be found in many ways that don't involve sex or romance. From the marvelous author of Heartstopper comes an exceptional YA novel about...

Reps: asexual, aromantic

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) This Printz Honor Book is a "tender, honest exploration of identity" (Publishers Weekly) that distills lyrical truths about...

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

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. The pirate Florian, born Flora, has always done whatever it takes to survive--including sailing under false flag on the...

Reps: genderfluid, nonbinary, bixesual, 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

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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