The current generation of teen and young adult readers is characterized by a remarkable social awareness and passion for equality. As such, they demand fiction that represents them, their friends, and the fast-changing world they live in.
They know that diversity in literature matters, and LGBTQ+ representation is no exception. Thankfully, the YA genre has been open to diversity, with stories of white, straight, cisgender teens sitting happily on shelves beside tales of queer, transgender, nonbinary, or intersex youth of all races.
LGBTQ Books for Teens and Young Adults
Below are 15 books for teens and young adults that celebrate LGBTQ+ themes and characters.
1. All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson
In this series of personal essays, journalist and LGBTQIA+ activist George M. Johnson explores his coming-of-age years in New Jersey and Virginia, from getting his teeth kicked out by bullies, to shopping at flea markets with his grandmother, to his first sexual relationships, this YA memoir explores the trials and triumphs faced by Black queer boys.
2. Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
In author Aiden Thomas’s YA debut, a trans boy named Yadriel is determined to prove his gender to his traditional Latinx family.
To show he’s a real brujo, he performs a ritual with help from his friends and then sets out to find the ghost of his murdered cousin and set it free. But what happens when the ghost he summons refuses to leave?
3. Ghost Wood Song by Erica Waters
In this paranormal YA novel, the line between reality and nightmares is blurred. Shady Grove inherited her father’s ability to call ghosts from the grave using a fiddle, but Shady also knows the fiddle brings nothing but trouble.
Yet, when her brother is accused of murder, Shady must call the dead to life in order to clear his name. Throw in family secrets, an LGBTQ love triangle, and the right amount of creepiness, and you’re in for a riveting ride.
4. Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron
It’s been 200 years since Cinderella was charmed by Prince Charming, and the kingdom now requires teen girls to attend the Annual Ball, where eligible men select their wives.
But 16-year-old Sophia, who is much more interested in marrying her childhood best friend, Erin, escapes the ball and bumps into Constance, Cinderella’s last known descendant. And as it turns out, Constance is just as eager to topple the patriarchy.
5. Every Body Looking by Candice Iloh
Ada arrives for her freshman year at a Historically Black College, and it’s the first time she’s ever been so far from home, which means it’s also the first time that she’s been able to make her own decisions and find her place in the world.
As Ada gets deeper into the world of dance and begins to explore her sexuality, she’s also confronted with her family’s past, including her mother’s struggle with addiction and her Nigerian father’s efforts to make a home for her. Ada decides it’s time to claim full ownership of her future.
6. Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
In this debut novel by Becky Albertalli, 16-year-old “not-so-openly gay” Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for school musicals.
But Simon’s secret is suddenly at risk of being pushed into the spotlight when an email falls into the wrong hands. Now he must find a way to break out of his comfort zone without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or ruining a chance at happiness with an incredibly cute but confusing guy.
7. It’s Not Like It’s a Secret by Misa Sugiura
In this bittersweet coming-of-age story featuring two girls of color, 16-year-old Sana has a lot of secrets to keep, like the fact that her father might be having an affair, or that she might have a crush on her best friend.
When Sana and her family move to California, she wonders if it isn’t time for some honesty, especially once she meets the beautiful and smart Jamie Ramirez. But there are some problems, including the fact that Sana’s new friends don’t trust Jamie’s crowd, and a sweet guy named Caleb seems to have more-than-friendly feelings for Sana.
8. None of the Above by I.W. Gregorio
In this groundbreaking story, Kristin Lattimer seems to have the ideal life she always wanted. She’s just been voted homecoming queen, she’s earned a full scholarship to college as a champion hurdler, and she’s also decided it’s time to take things to the next level with her boyfriend, whom she’s madly in love with.
But Kristin’s first time wasn’t anything she imagined, and she knows something is very wrong. At a doctor’s visit, Kristin learns she is intersex. In other words, she outwardly looks like a girl, but she has male chromosomes and “parts.”
This news is difficult to deal with on its own, but when her diagnosis is revealed to the entire school, Kristin feels her world and identity are unraveling. This thought-provoking novel explores what it really means to be a boy, a girl, or something in between.
9. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
This tender, honest story of identify and friendship features Aristotle, an angry teen whose brother is in prison. Dante, on the other hand, is a know-it-all with unusual views of the world. The two seem to have nothing in common, but after they meet at at the swimming pool and start spending more time together, they discover that they share a special friendship.
It’s through this bond life-changing bond that the two learn the most important truths about themselves and the people they each want to be.
10. Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
In this part-ghost story, part-romance, and part-mystery novel, Simon Snow is the Chosen One, which should be a good thing—except he can’t make his wand work, and half the time he’s accidentally setting things on fire. Then there’s the fact that his mentor avoids him, his girlfriend just dumped him, and there’s a magic-eating monster on the loose that’s wearing Simon’s face.
Perhaps most puzzling, his long-time nemesis, Baz, hasn’t even bothered to show up for their last year at the Watford School of Magicks,
11. Date Me, Bryson Keller by Kevin van Whye
Bryson Keller may be the most popular guy at Fairvale Academy, but he’s never really dated anyone before, until he accepts a dare to go out on a date with the first person to ask him out every Monday morning.
Kai Sheridan doesn’t expect Bryson to say yes, so he’s really thrown for a loop when Bryson agrees to (secretly) go out with him. Even so, Kai knows that this “fling” will only last 5 days, since Bryson is popular, good-looking, and straight… or so he thinks.
12. Even If We Break by Marieke Nijkamp
Five friends—including Ever, a nonbinary teen, and Finn, a trans boy—reunite at a cabin for a murder mystery game they’ve been playing for the past three years. This time was supposed to be one last getaway before going their separate ways.
But each of these friends has their own demons and secrets, and when the lines between the game and reality start to blur, consequences prove deadly.
13. Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender
Felix Love, has, ironically, never been in love. When an anonymous student starts publicly posting Felix’s deadname and photos of him from before his transition, Felix plans a revenge scheme, which leads him to a love triangle of sorts, much to Felix’s surprise.
As Felix navigates his mixed feelings, he begins a journey of self-discovery that helps redefine how he feels about himself.
14. Loveless by Alice Oseman
Although she’s obsessed with reading fanfiction, 18-year-old Georgia has never had a crush, so she she starts to wonder if the terms “asexual” and “aromantic” might apply to her.
With help from her roommate, Georgia sets out to find a love story of her own, but she soon discovers that true love doesn’t always have to include romance.
15. The Gay Agenda by Ashley Molesso and Chessie Needham
Sadly, many LGBTQ+ teens don’t receive support, acceptance, or encouragement at home or from their peers.
But this beautifully-illustrated “modern queer history and handbook” celebrates and pays tribute to LGBTQ+ events and icons of the current and past centuries, reminding readers of the LGBTQ+ community’s achievements with facts, trivia, timelines, and charts, featuring beautiful, full-color illustrations.
Why Representation Matters
It’s important for readers—especially young ones—to see themselves in the characters and stories they read.
But make no mistake: books about LGBTQ+ characters and themes aren’t just for LGBTQ+ readers. Even if you don’t personally identify with any of those labels, reading books like these will broaden your world view and help you to become a more empathetic and informed ally.
Do you have any LGBTQ+ book recommendations? Share them in the comments below!
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As a blog writer for TCK Publishing, Kaelyn loves crafting fun and helpful content for writers, readers, and creative minds alike. She has a degree in International Affairs with a minor in Italian Studies, but her true passion has always been writing. Working remotely allows her to do even more of the things she loves, like traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family.
