If you like YA novels with LGBTQ protagonists, you should definitely read these!
I love a good YA novel with an LGBTQ twist! The last few years I have read more and more and fallen in love with so many characters I cannot even keep count anymore. But some characters (and novels) deserve a lot more love than they're getting.
There's just something about LGBTQ books that always makes me happy. I love the inclusion, the diversity, the openness and forwardness. And I love the way they deal with difficult topics as well as everyday stuff. Family. Friends. Mental health. Acceptance of yourself and others. Prejudice. Love.
This list is a compilation of some of my favourite young adult books featuring loads of queer characters. Each book has (at the time of me writing this article) less than 5,000 ratings on Goodreads, making them (in my humble opinion) criminally underrated!
Not My Problem by Ciara Smyth
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Aideen has a special talent. She discovered it when Maebh - the intense overachiever in her class - had a breakdown (also known as a hissy fit) in the PE locker room. Aideen is a problem solver. She can solve any problem thrown her way. Except for her own, that is.
This book has it all! A rag-tag band of unlikely friends forced together by circumstance. A vulnerable yet hilariously sarcastic main character. An enemies-turned-lovers same-sex romance. A moral lesson about the value of true friendship. And then of course an adorable and engaging plot. Definitely one of my favourite LGBTQ novels of the year!
Read it if you like: Rag-tag friends, enemies-to-lovers, friendship
A Complicated Love Story Set in Space by Shaun David Hutchinson
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Noa wakes up in space. He has no clue how he got there or why. And he has even less of a clue as to how to get back to Earth. You'd think that was the worst of his problems, but you'd be sadly mistaken. Along with his two unlikely companions, DJ and Jenny, Noa is thrown headfirst into a very weird and strange space odyssey.
Imagine everything you never thought would happen. Now thrown it all into this book. That's what this story is. It's weird, it's surprising and it's sure to turn your head. And on top of it all, we get an adorable relationship between the reluctant Noa and the hopeful DJ.
Read it if you like: A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, space operas, unlikely friends
Can't Take That Away by Steven Salvatore
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Carey is genderfluid. Sometimes Carey feels masculine, other times feminine. And sometimes Carey is somewhere in the middle. But one thing doesn't change. Carey loves to sing. But when Carey is cast in the school musical of Wicked in the role of Elphaba, suddenly their gender identity is a problem. Now Carey has to decide whether to fight back or to let go of his dream.
Carey is this novel. I don't think anyone can read this and not fall in love with their awkwardness, their passion and their worship of Mariah Carey. But there's also an important message of inclusion, acceptance and equality for all, regardless of their gender identity.
Read it if you like: Mariah Carey, musical theater, fighting for what's right
The Sky Blues by Robbie Couch
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sky is planning the craziest promposal. Crazy, not just because it is going to be big and public, but also because he is promposing to Ali, who may or may not be gay. But one day his plan is put on blast - litterally. A homophobic e-mail about the promposal is sent to the entire school by an anonymous student. Now Sky must face the prejudice in school while trying to uncover the culprit.
If you're looking for a book to lift your spirits, this is a perfect place to start. This is a story about friendship, about support at about the power of community. The characters are the focal point, and while the plot is not the strongest, I dare you to not feel uplifted after finishing this.
Read it if you like: Promposals, character driven novels, the strength of community
It Goes Like This by Miel Moreland
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Moonlight Overthrow broke up two years ago, but their music and their fans persist. The four band members have all gone their own ways, some going solo and others giving up music. The break-up was messy, especially for Eva and Celeste, who also broke up their romantic relationship. But when a flood destroys their hometown, they put their differences aside for one last concert.
The love of music is strong in this novel. As is the queer-positivity. Each member of Moonlight Overthrow is openly queer, something that their fans support and revere. These two things and the great cast of characters were what I loved about this novel.
Read it if you like: Music, fandom, getting back with friends
The Passing Playbook by Isaac Fitzsimmons
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
At Spencer's new school nobody knows that he is transgender. After coming out at his old school let to a year of bullying this is a relief. He is free to join the school's soccer team and make a team of new friends, including the enigma Justice. But when his former life catches up to him, all he has worked for is threatened.
This book gave me serious Heartstopper vibes right from the beginning! Perhaps it was all the soccer, but the point is that Heartstopper vibes are awesome vibes! This book is cute and adorable but also has a bit of social commentary about the challenges trans people are still facing.
Read it if you like: Heartstopper, overcoming adversity, diversity
Jay's Gay Agenda by Jason June
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Since coming out, Jay has been the only gay kid at school. But that is about to change now that his mom has gotten a new job. In anticipation of his big move to Seattle, Jay crafts a list of gay experiences he can't wait to have there. But navigating romance, friendship and school in a big city might not be as rosy red as Jay dreamed it would be.
This book is carried home by its characters! You have Jay, who is adorable, clueless and horny. You have Max, who is opinionated and loves the phrase 'Lord and Taylor'. And you have the cute, nerdy love interest Albert. The agenda leads to both highs and lows, which gives a very realistic view of being a teenager.
Read it if you like: Character driven novels, messy realism, making mistakes
If This Gets Out by Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ruben is gay. His family knows it and his bandmembers in Saturday know it. But the rest of the world is in the dark. That has been the decision of the popular boy-band's agency. And previously Ruben has been okay with that. But lately something has changed. And that something is his feelings towards Zach, his bandmate.
This was a highly anticipated read for me. I have loved everything from Gonzales' hand so far and this was no exception. I got highly invested in the fates of all four band-members of Saturday, not just Ruben and Zach, though they are absolutely adorable! This is a book that will make you feel both anger and elation.
Read it if you like: Fighting against oppression, band dynamics, standing up for yourself
Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms by Crystal Frasier
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
To satisfy her mom, the anti-social lesbian Annie has joined the Cheer squad. Luckily, her old friend Bee-Bee is there to make it slightly less unbearable. Bee-Bee, a people-pleasing transgirl, is floored by Annie's reckless spirit, which makes her question herself. Can they rekindle their friendship and maybe turn it into something more?
This comic is easy to relate to. Bee-Bee and Annie are so adorable, each in their very own way. Their relationship makes them both better versions of themselves and gives them both the strength to move out of their respective comfort zones.
Read it if you like: The Prince and the Dressmaker, relationships that make you stronger, comics
Follow Your Arrow by Jessica Verdi
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Influencers CeCe and Silvie are #relationshipgoals. At least, that is, until Silvie breaks up with her. Now CeCe must figure out who she is without her famous relationship with her former girlfriend. As if that wasn't difficult enough, the emergence of the cute, anti-social media guy Josh. How is CeCe supposed to bridge the gap between her online persona and her real life?
This book tackles a lot of interesting and important topics, such as bi-phobia and the dangers of social media. CeCe experiences both the ups and downs of SoMe as well as the power one can gain there. But despite its heavy topics, it is still both sweet and cute - especially Josh!
Read it if you like: The influencer lifestyle, social media, overcoming bi-phobia
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