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28 Beloved YA Books to Read for Pride Month
In honor of Pride Month, we took a look at our readers' favorite young adult LGBTQ books from the last ten years.
Among the popular and award-winning titles with LGBTQ leads are John Green and David Levithan's Will Grayson, Will Grayson and Mark Oshiro's Anger Is a Gift. Not only do these stories reflect a spectrum of identities and experiences, but they also show how the young adult category continues to grow more inclusive each year.
Don't forget to add what catches your eye to your Want to Read shelf and share your recommendations in the comments!
Among the popular and award-winning titles with LGBTQ leads are John Green and David Levithan's Will Grayson, Will Grayson and Mark Oshiro's Anger Is a Gift. Not only do these stories reflect a spectrum of identities and experiences, but they also show how the young adult category continues to grow more inclusive each year.
Don't forget to add what catches your eye to your Want to Read shelf and share your recommendations in the comments!
Which YA book would you recommend for Pride Month? Tell us in the comments!
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Check out more recent articles:
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Comments Showing 51-100 of 112 (112 new)
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Frost
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Jun 11, 2019 07:01AM
Oh! And “Grasshopper Jungle” by Andrew Smith changed my life. Loved having a bisexual hero in a sci-fi world.
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A review on Amazon of my novel, Sammy (Link included). Please check it out! 🏳️🌈“Seriously. Honestly. The best I've read in transfiction. Period.
There were some uncomfortable parts but only because they resonated so strongly I had to put down my Kindle if only to process the emotions you brought back from my own past. So like I said: Wow”
https://www.amazon.com/Sammy-Paul-Fis...
I would also recommend Of Fire and Stars for those looking for a f/f take on a classic fantasy story.I’m surprised Anger is a Gift is on the list, given (SPOILERS) the “bury your gays” storyline; I certainly wouldn’t recommend it for Pride.
All of the All for the Game series by Nora Sakavic! Also, has representation of a demisexual character as well.
This Is How It Always Is: A NovelBook by Laurie Frankel is absolutely amazing! I whole heartedly recommend it for Pride month and every other month! 🏳️🌈
Anggita wrote: "Where's Call Me By Your Name?👀"This list is for YA and CMBYN is not YA.
The best LGBT book, and one of the best books ever sadly did not make the list above it is Girl Mans Up by M-E Girard, and it is a true gem of a book.
Annie on My Mind is amazing! It was published in 1982 which is extra cool.
Emma wrote: "Annie on My Mind is amazing! It was published in 1982 which is extra cool."Absolutely. I was shocked it was not included!
Lauren (Shooting Stars Mag) wrote:Also - Not Otherwise Specified by Hannah Moskowitz"
Thanks!
I love so many of these books! I would also recommend “The Music of What Happens”
Nannah wrote: "Tessa1316 wrote: "Call me by your name is amazing as well!🏳️🌈"(uncomfy face) ... i think during pride month ppl should promote lgbt books/movies that DON'T involve any pedophilic relationships o..."
While Call Me By Your Name doesn’t belong on this list because it’s not YA, you seem to be forgetting that it is set in Italy, where the age of consent is 14 (Elio is 17, Oliver 24). And I would not say “toxic”, either, as the love story portrayed was raw and real and unfluffed. So, your argument is invalid.
I’d also like to add:*To note- Most of these books come with some heavy trigger warnings, but they depict important stories, voices, and experiences. Please read up on their individual TW’s before seeing if it’s right for you.*
The Wicker King (gay/bi/poly rep)
Suicide Watch (gay rep)
The Darkest Part of the Forest (gay/bi rep)
The Foxhole Court (Demi/gay rep)
Grasshopper Jungle (bi/gay rep)
Godsgrave (bi rep)
The Disasters (gay/bi/trans rep)
The Fever King (bi/gay rep)
At the Edge of the Universe (gay rep)
Half Wild (bi/gay rep)
Kyle wrote: "Nannah wrote: "Tessa1316 wrote: "Call me by your name is amazing as well!🏳️🌈"(uncomfy face) ... i think during pride month ppl should promote lgbt books/movies that DON'T involve any pedophilic ..."
And? It's still illegal to be gay in tons of places. Laws aren't always correct. The nature of a relationship between a 17 year old and a 24 year old is still pedophelic and predatory.
Mooncakes is a really good pride month read! its got magic & nonbinary werewolves with witch girlfriends. a good read, especially if you're asian-american.
Mariana wrote: "Can anyone recommend a book with a bisexual main girl character, please?"There are so many. Off the top of my head:
Inkmistress (Of Fire and Stars 0.5) by Audrey Coulthurst
Ship of Smoke and Steel (The Wells of Sorcery #1) by Django Wexler
How It Feels to Float by Helena Fox
Labyrinth Lost (Brooklyn Brujas #1) by Zoraida Córdova
Reign of the Fallen (Reign of the Fallen #1) by Sarah Glenn Marsh
Let's Talk About Love by Claire Kann
Not Your Sidekick (Sidekick Squad #1) by C.B. Lee
The Scorpion Rules (Prisoners of Peace #1) by Erin Bow
Little & Lion by Brandy Colbert
K8 wrote:There are so many. Off the top of my head:
Inkmistress (Of Fire and Stars 0.5) by Audrey Coulthurst
Ship..."
Thank you!
K8 wrote: "Kyle wrote: "Nannah wrote: "Tessa1316 wrote: "Call me by your name is amazing as well!🏳️🌈"(uncomfy face) ... i think during pride month ppl should promote lgbt books/movies that DON'T involve an..."
I love that book (and film). You clearly do not.
Let’s just agree to disagree on that.
I’m not going to try and speak about the differences of culture and sexuality in Italy (but certainly will choose to ignore that you lobbed on “being gay in some countries is illegal” to try and bolster your point).
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...Lizard Radio by Pat Schmatz--Embraces differences in so many forms.
My all-time Top 5 in LGBTQ+ YA:Brian Malloy's "The Year Of Ice"
K.M. Soehnlein's "The World Of Normal Boys"
Timothy James Beck's "When You Don't See Me"
Bart Yates's "The Distance Between Us"
Stephen Chbosky's "The Perks Of Being A Wallflower"
Enjoy!
Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan has an amazing female-female romance
Leah on the Offbeat is also a really beautiful book, it's basically a spin-off to Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda as it's about his best friend Leah. I really recommend it
Nannah wrote: "Tessa1316 wrote: "Call me by your name is amazing as well!🏳️🌈"(uncomfy face) ... i think during pride month ppl should promote lgbt books/movies that DON'T involve any pedophilic relationships o..."
not pedophilia but go off I guess. (ugh, another Tumblr refugee...)
'I Wish You All The Best' by Mason Deaver is a fantastic book with a non-binary/GNC main character.
Mariana wrote: "Can anyone recommend a book with a bisexual main girl character, please?"'Odd One Out' by Nic Stone is phenomenal!
Lee-ann wrote:'Odd One Out' by Nic Stone is phenomenal!"
Thank you!
Reading "Straight Boy" by Jay Bell. Really good, like basically all of his books.
K8 wrote: "The nature of a relationship between a 17 year old and a 24 year old is still pedophelic and predatory."A "relationship" between a 12 year old and a 24 year old is plain wrong, but between a 17 and a 24 year old? What is "predatory" about that?? When you were 17, you were not wise enough to have a relationship with a 24 year old? I was.
Leon wrote: "K8 wrote: "The nature of a relationship between a 17 year old and a 24 year old is still pedophelic and predatory."A "relationship" between a 12 year old and a 24 year old is plain wrong, but bet..."
No. No 17 year old is ""wise enough"" for a relationship with full-on, experienced adult. The problem isn't the 17 year old, who may think they are or feel excited and grown up because an adult is taking interest in them. It's the 24 year old. What person--well into their twenties--feels lust for a teenager? Predators and pedophiles do.
Jilda's Ark and May Day Mine both published by Harmony Ink Press
K8 wrote: "No. No 17 year old is ""wise enough"" for a relationship with full-on, experienced adult. The problem isn't the 17 year old, who may think they are or feel excited and grown up because an adult is taking interest in them. It's the 24 year old. What person--well into their twenties--feels lust for a teenager? Predators and pedophiles do."That is just your opinion. Not mine, nor the opinion of legislators in many countries.
In the US you can join the army at 17, you can drive a car.....all things that can cause you to kill people and now you are saying that same 17 year old is not old enough to have a relationship with a 24 year old? If so, then the US army would be the greatest predator.
Leon wrote: "K8 wrote: "No. No 17 year old is ""wise enough"" for a relationship with full-on, experienced adult. The problem isn't the 17 year old, who may think they are or feel excited and grown up because a..."Driving comes with training and restrictions based on age and experience and the US army's enlistment tactics are incredibly predatory.
But I suppose we are at an impasse, since I doubt either of us is going to change our stance at this point.
Symptoms of Being Human is amazing as well. It's about a gender fluid high schooler. This book actually helped me realize that I am Gender Fluid. So great, I would definitely recommend this book.Happy Pride!!
Birthday from Meredith Russo is amazing! It definately deserves a place on this list.
Today I ordered Our Own Private Universe by Robin Talley. I'm hoping it's a good one. It has mostly good reviews.
Amelia Westlake by Erin Gough needs to be on this list, it's brilliant, clever and heartfelt!
Nitya wrote: "...Avoid Rainbow Rowell tho, she’s a racist creep"Please elaborate on your statement. As a poc fan of Rainbow Rowell, or at least Carry On and Fangirl, the two of her books that I've read, I have no idea what you are talking about. I know Eleanor & Park has a Korean-American main character (Park), but I feel as though I would know if that was handled poorly. The closest I can think of is that Penny from Carry On is British-Indian and smart, showing a Asian stereotype, but it isn't like her smart is played as result of her being of Indian ancestry. Her mom plays a small role, and clearly isn't a Tiger Mom. Penny's smart because she is smart.
Edit: It's been a year or so and I've only come back b/c a spam comment pinged me, but I've now seen a lot more of Elanor & Park's racism. Disappointed no one told me about it for three whole years. I stand by everything else I said here however, so I consider Carry On to be "safe".
Sarah wrote: "The Abyss Surrounds Us, Colorblind, and Her Royal Highness!"
Thanks!
Sarah wrote: "E. wrote: "Check also:
[bookco..."Yes! And the rest of those I mentioned deserves more love as well! :)
Don't know if this is YA but Honor Girl by Maggie Thrash is a beautiful coming out story that's very real (it is a memoir). It shows the confusion of 13, 14, 15 year old romanticism and how it often doesn't end in kissing or sex, but subtlety. Also about how you can just know you're not straight, rather than learning through experience.
