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Try these YA titles featuring LGBTQ+ characters.
Updated September 19, 2022
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Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
Becky Albertalli
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 ...
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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...
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Cemetery boys /
Thomas, Aiden,
Paper Book
Yadriel has summoned a ghost, and now he can't get rid of him. When his traditional Latinx family has problems accepting his true gender, Yadriel becomes determined to prove himself a real brujo. With the help of his cousin and best friend Maritza, he performs the ritual himself, and then sets out...
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Clap when you land /
Acevedo, Elizabeth,
Paper Book
In a novel-in-verse that brims with grief and love, National Book Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Acevedo writes about the devastation of loss, the difficulty of forgiveness, and the bittersweet bonds that shape our lives. Camino Rios lives for the...
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Darius the Great is not okay /
Khorram, Adib,
Paper Book
Darius doesn't think he'll ever be enough, in America or in Iran. Hilarious and heartbreaking, this unforgettable debut introduces a brilliant new voice in contemporary YA. Winner of the William C. Morris Debut Award "Heartfelt, tender, and so utterly real. I'd live...
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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....
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Heartstopper: Volume 4
Alice Oseman
Paper Book
The fourth volume in the wonderfully sweet Heartstopper series, featuring gorgeous two-color artwork. Now streaming on Netflix! Charlie and Nick's relationship has been going really well, and Charlie thinks he's ready to say those three little words: I love you. ...
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Felix ever after /
Callender, Kacen,
Paper Book
A Stonewall Honor Book * A Time Magazine Best YA Book of All Time From Stonewall and Lambda Award-winning author Kacen Callender comes a revelatory YA novel about a transgender teen grappling with identity and self-discovery while falling in love for the first time. Felix Love has...
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You should see me in a crown /
Johnson, Leah
Paper Book
A TIME Magazine Best YA Book of All Time A Stonewall Honor Book A Reese's Book Club YA Pick Liz Lighty has always believed she's too black, too poor, too awkward to shine in her small, rich, prom-obsessed midwestern town. But it's okay -- Liz has a...
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All Boys Aren't Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto
George M. Johnson
Paper Book
In a series of personal essays, prominent journalist and LGBTQIA+ activist George M. Johnson's All Boys Aren't Blue explores their childhood, adolescence, and college years in New Jersey and Virginia. A New York Times Bestseller! Good Morning America,...
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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 In this smart, heart-warming YA debut perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera, two teens find love when their...
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The Extraordinaries
TJ Klune
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...
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Malice
Heather Walter
Paper Book
A princess isn't supposed to fall for an evil sorceress. But in this "bewitching and fascinating" (Tamora Pierce) retelling of "Sleeping Beauty," true love is more than a simple fairy tale. "Walter's spellbinding debut is for all the queer girls and women who've...
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I kissed Shara Wheeler :
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...
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The music of what happens /
Konigsberg, Bill.
Paper Book
From the award-winning author of Openly Straight, a story about two teens falling in love over a summer that throws everything possible to keep them apart.* "Konigsberg demonstrates once again why he is one of the major voices in LGBTQ literature." -- Booklist, starred review...
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Only Mostly Devastated
Sophie Gonzales
Paper Book
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda meets Clueless in this boy-meets-boy spin on Grease, from NATIONALLY and INTERNATIONALLY BESTSELLING author Sophie Gonzales A 2021 Rainbow Book List Selection A 2021 Southern Book Prize finalist A Goodreads...
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The stars and the blackness between them /
Petrus, Junauda,
Paper Book
A Coretta Scott King Honor Book Told in two distinct and irresistible voices, Junauda Petrus's bold and lyrical debut is the story of two black girls from very different backgrounds finding love and happiness in a world that seems determined to deny them both. ...
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Perfect on paper /
Gonzales, Sophie,
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...
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She drives me crazy /
Quindlen, Kelly
Paper Book
"A little sweet, a little sharp." --Booklist, starred review High school nemeses fall in love in Kelly Quindlen's She Drives Me Crazy, a queer YA rom com perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and Casey McQuiston. After an embarrassing loss to...
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She gets the girl /
Lippincott, Rachael,
Paper Book
She's All That meets What If It's Us in this New York Times bestselling hate-to-love YA romantic comedy from the coauthor of Five Feet Apart Rachael Lippincott and debut writer Alyson Derrick. Alex Blackwood is a little bit headstrong, with a dash of...
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Meet Cute Diary
Emery Lee
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...
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We Unleash the Merciless Storm
Tehlor Kay Mejia
Paper Book
In this nail-biting sequel to Tehlor Kay Mejia's critically acclaimed fantasy novel We Set the Dark on Fire, La Voz operative Carmen is forced to choose between the girl she loves and the success of the rebellion she's devoted her life to. Perfect for fans of The Handmaid...
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She's Too Pretty to Burn
Wendy Heard
Paper Book
An electric romance set against a rebel art scene sparks lethal danger for two girls in She's Too Pretty to Burn, an expertly plotted YA thriller by Wendy Heard. The summer is winding down in San Diego. Veronica is bored, caustically charismatic, and uninspired in her...
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Cool for the Summer
Dahlia Adler
Paper Book
"Witty, wise, and disarmingly tender. I am hopelessly devoted to this summer dream of a book." --Becky Albertalli, New York Times bestselling author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda The guy of her dreams... or the girl in her heart? Lara's...
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Between Perfect and Real
Ray Stoeve
Paper Book
A moving YA debut about a trans boy finding his voice--and himselfDean Foster knows he's a trans guy. He's watched enough YouTube videos and done enough questioning to be sure. But everyone at his high school thinks he's a lesbian--including his girlfriend Zoe, and his theater director, who...
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As Far As You'll Take Me
Phil Stamper
Paper Book
"A beautiful tribute to every queer kid who's ever had to leave their home in order to find one." - Leah Johnson, bestselling author of You Should See Me in a Crown The author of The Gravity of Us crafts another heartfelt coming-of-age story about finding the...
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The Sky Blues
Robbie Couch
Paper Book
Sky's small town turns absolutely claustrophobic when his secret promposal plans get leaked to the entire school in this witty, "earnest, heartfelt" (Becky Albertalli, New York Times bestselling author), and ultimately hopeful debut novel for fans of What if it's Us? and To All...
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Fifteen Hundred Miles From The Sun
Jonny Garza Villa
Paper Book
A poignant, funny, openhearted novel about coming out, first love, and being your one and only best and true self. Julián Luna has a plan for his life: Graduate. Get into UCLA. And have the chance to move away from Corpus Christi, Texas, and the suffocating expectations of others...
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Indivisible /
Aleman, Daniel,
Paper Book
This timely, moving debut novel follows a teen's efforts to keep his family together as his parents face deportation. Mateo Garcia and his younger sister, Sophie, have been taught to fear one word for as long as they can remember: deportation. Over the past few...
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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...
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Zara Hossain Is Here
Sabina Khan
Paper Book
Zara's family has waited years for their visa process to be finalized so that they can officially become US citizens. But it only takes one moment for that dream to come crashing down around them. Seventeen-year-old Pakistani immigrant, Zara Hossain, has been leading a fairly typical life...
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The (un)popular vote /
Sanchez, Jasper,
Paper Book
Red, White, & Royal Blue meets The West Wing in Jasper Sanchez's electric and insightful #ownvoices YA debut, chronicling a transmasculine student's foray into a no-holds-barred student body president election against the wishes of his politician father. Optics can make or...
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The lesbiana's guide to Catholic school /
Reyes, Sonora
Paper Book
National Book Award Finalist * William C. Morris YA Debut Award Finalist * Goodreads Finalist for Best Teen Book of the Year * Walter Honor Award Winner * Pura Belpré Honor Book * Lambda Literary Award Winner for LGBTQ+ Young Adult A sharply funny and moving debut novel about a queer...
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Spin me right round /
Valdes Greenwood, David,
Paper Book
From lauded writer David Valdes, a sharp and funny YA novel that's Back to the Future with a twist, as a gay teen travels back to his parents' era to save a closeted classmate's life. All Luis Gonzalez wants is to go to prom with his boyfriend, something his...
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Can't take that away /
Salvatore, Steven,
Paper Book
"A charming, inspired story about being true to who you are." - Phil Stamper, bestselling author of The Gravity of Us An empowering and emotional debut about a genderqueer teen who finds the courage to stand up and speak out for equality when they are discriminated...
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Like other girls /
Lundin, Britta,
Paper Book
"What if I played football?" I ask. As soon as it's out of my mouth, I feel stupid. Even suggesting it feels like I've overstepped some kind of invisible line we've all agreed not to discuss. We don't talk about how Mara is different from other girls. We don't talk about how Mara is gay but no...
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Nothing burns as bright as you /
Woodfolk, Ashley,
Paper Book
Five starred reviews! From New York Times bestselling author Ashley Woodfolk, Nothing Burns as Bright as You is an impassioned stand-alone tale of queer love, grief, and the complexity of female friendship. Two girls. One wild and reckless day. Years of...
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Burn down, rise up /
Tirado, Vincent,
Paper Book
The 2023 Pura Belpré Award-winning young adult novel! Mysterious disappearances. An urban legend rumored to be responsible. And one group of friends determined to save their city at any cost. Stranger Things meets Jordan Peele in this acclaimed novel from an incredible new voice. ...
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If you change your mind /
Weber, Robby,
Paper Book
"A romantic hero's journey with a happy ending that will leave you smiling and swooning... I loved it!" --Adam Silvera, #1 New York Times bestselling author of They Both Die at the End In this hilarious and heartfelt debut novel, an aspiring screenwriter learns...
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Sofi and the Bone Song
Adrienne Tooley
Paper Book
In this gorgeous standalone fantasy with a "sweet sapphic romance" (Booklist), a young musician sets out to expose her rival for illegal use of magic only to discover the deception goes deeper than she could have imagined--perfect for fans of An Enchantment of Ravens!
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Melt With You
Jennifer Dugan
Paper Book
From the author of Some Girls Do and Hot Dog Girl comes a sweet and salty queer YA rom-com about two girls on a summer road trip in an ice cream truck-now available in paperback! Fallon is Type A, looks before she leaps, and always has a plan (and a backup plan).
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Improbable magic for cynical witches /
Scelsa, Kate.
Paper Book
A witchy, atmospheric lesbian contemporary romance set in Salem--from the acclaimed author of Fans of the Impossible Life. Perfect for fans of Nina LaCour and Becky Albertalli. Seventeen-year-old Eleanor is the last person in Salem to believe in witchcraft--or to think that her life...
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Blaine for the win /
Couch, Robbie,
Paper Book
After being dumped so his boyfriend can pursue more "serious" guys, a teen boy decides to prove he can be serious, too, by running for senior class president in this "clever, fun, original" (BCCB) romp from the author of The Sky Blues. High school junior Blaine...
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Primal animals :
Rubin, Julia Lynn,
Paper Book
"Like a queer version of The Wicker Man, Julia Lynn Rubin's Primal Animals is a wonderfully-creepy mystery set under sunshine and fresh air, where nothing is what it seems and no one is what you expect. Keep your eyes open, watch your back, and beware of the flies." --Emma Berquist,...
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Harley Quinn :
Allen, Rachael,
Paper Book
In this new launch of a trilogy within the DC Icons universe, experience the origin story of a Super-Villain. This is the Harley Quinn backstory fans have been waiting for. "Allen's Harley is a fierce, righteous, brilliant, and preternaturally brave ball of chaos. I loved and...
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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...
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Howl /
Hutchinson, Shaun David.
Paper Book
From critically acclaimed Shaun David Hutchinson comes a "gripping, dynamic" (Booklist, starred review) portrayal of the oftentimes traumatic experience of growing up. Virgil Knox was attacked by a monster. Of course, no one in Merritt believes him. Not even...
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Dead end girls /
Heard, Wendy
Paper Book
"A clever page-turner that I couldn't put down." --Natasha Preston, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Determined to escape menacing families, two desperate teens fake their own deaths in this queer contemporary thriller perfect for fans of...
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Arden Grey /
Stoeve, Ray
Paper Book
Sixteen-year-old Arden Grey is struggling. Her mother has left their family, her father and her younger brother won't talk about it, and a classmate, Tanner, keeps harassing her about her sexuality-which isn't even public. (She knows she likes girls romantically, but she thinks she might be asexual....
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I am the ghost in your house /
Romasco Moore, Mar,
Paper Book
From the author of Some Kind of Animal comes a wildly unique story about an invisible girl struggling to see herself in a world obsessed with appearances. Pie is the ghost in your house. She is not dead, she is invisible. The way she looks changes depending on...
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The queen of Junk Island /
Jones, Alexandra Mae
Paper Book
From debut author Alexandra Mae Jones comes a compelling, nuanced exploration of bi identity and body image with a ghostly backdrop--perfect for fans of Nina Lacour. Still reeling from a recent trauma, sixteen-year-old Dell is relieved when her mom suggests a stay at the family cabin...
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