14-20 June is National Schools Pride Week in New Zealand. It’s a week for our kids to learn more about the different aspects of sexuality, to feel seen and safe and to find more ways of showing support to their classmates. Here are some of the sweetest and most eye-opening Young Adult fiction books with LGBTQIA+ characters that will be helpful in figuring things out. Laugh, cry and learn with your child (’cause, we must warn you, adults love these books just as much 😉 ).
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, Benjamin Alire Sáenz
The absolute CLASSICS of the YA LGBTQIA+ books, this lyrical novel is a must-read for all ages. It tells the story of two absolutely adorable characters – Aristotle “Ari” Mendoza and Dante Quintana – who are growing up in El Paso, Texas during the 1980s.
Ari is first introduced as a very angry, very confused teen, who doesn’t want to make friends and basically doesn’t even give the world a chance. That is until one day he meets Dante – the cutest cinnamon roll of a boy, who only sees the best in everyone. The boys become best friends and Dante is quick to admit he has feelings for Ari. Feelings that Ari doesn’t return. Or so he thinks?
Carry On trilogy, Rainbow Rowell
The queen of YA, Rainbow Rowell, actually invented Simon and Baz for her other novel, Fangirl, where the main heroine is a huge fan of fictional series about the British school of magic, the horrible villain, ‘the chosen one’ who had a really sad childhood and a found family… Yeah, we know 🙂
After Fangirl, Rainbow decided there is more to Simon and Baz than she originally thought and came up with an entire trilogy (the final part is launching in July!) of their crazy adventures.
If you want your kid to have what we had with Harry Potter, only done right – with ‘the chosen one’ and his arch nemesis falling in love after years of hating each other (oh, didn’t we all ship a certain H.P. with the one and only D.M. at some stage?); the smartest girl in class being an overweight Indian who absolutely OWNS her looks and her brain; and a bunch of realistic, perfectly imperfect characters – this is a trilogy to consider.
Some Girls Do, Jennifer Dougan
An openly lesbian elite track athlete and a closeted, bisexual beauty queen who loves tinkering with a gorgeous 1970 Ford Torino in her spare time? Bring it on!
The story of Morgan and Ruby is an honest depiction of the issues today’s LGBTQIA+ kids might face both at school and at home. But at the same time, it’s an uplifting, warm romance that will leave your kids smiling. It’s not often our kids have a chance to read about topics like home abuse, homophobia, the importance of consent, the struggles of coming out, etc. without making it this big, scary topic. Things happen and are being explained and solved with care and support in this novel, leaving the reader feeling inspired and more confident.
Date Me, Bryson Keller, Kevin van Whye
Was the plot of this book ‘borrowed’ from a well-known Japanese graphic novel? Well, yes… Does it make it any less touching, goosebump-y and worth a read? Definitely no!
Date Me, Bryson Keller starts with a dare: each week, Bryson Keller must date someone new – the first person to ask him out on Monday morning. Bryson is the king of his high school and destined for great things, so he’s always been too busy to date before.
Our second MC, Kai Sheridan, can’t believe his own bravery when, after a string of girls asking Bryson out and plastering their week-long relationships all over social media, he finds the courage to ask Bryson out.
The week of secret dating and getting to know each other reveals something new about his own sexuality to Bryson.
You Should See Me in a Crown, Leah Johnson
Liz Lighty has always believed she’s too black, too poor, too awkward to shine in her small, rich, prom-obsessed midwestern town.
But when the financial aid for the uber-elite Pennington College she was counting on unexpectedly falls through, Liz’s plans come crashing down… until she’s reminded of her school’s scholarship for prom king and queen!
Despite her devastating fear of the spotlight, she’ll do whatever it takes to get to Pennington. The only thing that makes it halfway bearable is the new girl in school, Mack, who is smart and funny… and is also running for queen.
I Wish You All the Best, Mason Deaver
Ben De Backer comes out to their parents as non-binary and ends up on the street, where it’s cold and raining, without even a pair of shoes to keep them warm. They have a few coins in their pocket to call their sister they haven’t seen for 10 years. Hannah comes to the rescue and basically adopts Ben into her family. Now they have to find out how to navigate their senior year in a new school with all these new circumstances. And charismatic, popular student Nathan Allan is not making it any easier by never agreeing to leave Ben alone.
Though Ben is 18, with all his insecurities and doubts, he reads as a younger character. This book is heartbreaking at times but with a consistent positive undertone that lets the reader know it will all end well.
Loveless, Alice Oseman
The author of Heartstopper – YA graphic novel that has a fan base rivalling that of Harry Potter – shines a spotlight on the humble last letter of LGBTQIA+ acronym, often overlooked in literature. Asexual characters sometimes appear in books in a ‘best friend’ or a ‘younger sibling’ role but novels with ace and aro main heroes are few and far between.
Meet Georgia. She has never been in love, never kissed anyone, never even had a crush. As she starts the university with her best friends, she tries to navigate the reality of being asexual. Does it mean she’ll remain alone for the rest of her life? Or does it only mean there are many other forms of love that don’t necessarily include traditional romantic relationships?
The Falling in Love Montage, Ciara Smyth
It’s impossible not to fall in love with Ciara Smyth’s writing, just like it’s impossible not to fall in love with Saoirse and Ruby – two girls, who decide to fix the fact that most of the rom-com movies are focused on heterosexual couples, while movies with LGBTQIA+ characters almost never end well, and turn their lives into a rom-com montage of perfect dates and sunny days for one summer.
Only not everything is as easy as it seems. Saoirse’s mother is suffering from early onset dementia, which, of course, affects her relationships with her parents. And, of course, just like in every rom-com ever created, there is a BIG MISUNDERSTANDING in the final part that could’ve been easily avoided, if the heroines had only been more open and honest with each other from the start.
May the Best Man Win, Z.R. Ellor
Jeremy Harkiss, cheer captain and student body president, won’t let coming out as a transgender boy ruin his senior year. So, he decides to make some noise by challenging his ex-boyfriend, Lukas, for the title of Homecoming King.
Lukas Rivers, football star and the head of the Homecoming Committee, is just trying to find order in his life after his older brother’s funeral and the loss of a long-term girlfriend—who turned out to be a boy. But when Jeremy threatens to steal his crown, Lukas kickstarts a plot to sabotage Jeremy’s campaign.
When both boys take their rivalry too far, the dance is on the verge of being canceled. To save Homecoming, they’ll have to face the hurt they’re both hiding—and the lingering butterflies they can’t deny.
Birthday, Meredith Russo
Oh, the angst! The feels! The pain! This book is not for the weak of heart. It’s one of those stories that leave emotional scars and change you forever. But it’s also about the strength, the breaking out of stereotypes, the all-encompassing love.
Morgan and Eric were born on the same day and at the same time. They become best friends since day one. In each chapter, we meet our heroes once a year, on their birthday and watch them grow and change. They are still in their early teens when Morgan realises she’s a girl, trapped in a boy’s body. But it takes many years, many pains and many fights to not only accept that fact but to find the courage to come out and start transitioning. At the same time, Eric has to come to terms with his own ways to fit into the complicated and brutal world they live in, while trying not to lose Morgan.
The Summer of Everything, Julian Winters
The fluffiest slice-of-life kind of novel ever! Seriously, don’t show this one to your kid, unless you’re prepared to lose them to the magnetic, vibrant lifestyle of LA forever. This book has it all – ocean, sunsets, skateboarding, authentic cafes and, most importantly, a unique indie bookstore where the main heroes work. LA lives and breathes in your head when reading this book.
Ok, back to the plot. It revolves around geeky Wes, who has a serious case of pining after his best friend, Nico. They also have many more friends – one weirder than the other – and they all work in a bookstore together. There are literally no adults involved in the plot! Just a bunch of kids, roaming around summer LA, working in a bookstore and ending up in their favourite coffee shop every other evening (and morning. And lunch).
Another thing that’s really special about The Summer of Everything is the best representation of different races, bodies and sexualities! Biracial Mexican-American and Black heroes; bisexual, gay/lesbian, aro/ace heroes; non-binary hero; skinny and fat heroes – it’s so important for the next generation to see different people becoming friends and supporting each other!
Can’t Take That Away, Steven Salvatore
Steven Salvatore’s debut novel shows the life of a genderqueer teen ( he/she/they), who faces bullying, misgendering and homophobia but finds the courage to stand up and speak out for equality.
Carey Parker wants to be a singer. And not just any singer. Carey’s destiny is to be a DIVA! They can hit every note of all the top pop and Broadway hits. But despite their talent, emotional scars from an incident with a homophobic classmate and their grandmother’s spiraling dementia make it harder and harder for Carey to find their voice. Until Carey meets Cris, a singer/guitarist who makes Carey feel seen for the first time in their life. With the rush of a promising new romantic relationship, Carey finds the confidence to audition for the role of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, in the school musical, setting off a chain reaction of prejudice by Carey’s tormentor and others in the school.
If We Were Us, K.L Walther
How about not two but four main characters? Get ready for the ride of a lifetime!
Sage Morgan and Charlie Carmichael are thick as thieves and everyone at Bexley School believes they’re destined for each other and, most probably, are already secretly dating. Only it’s Charlie’s twin brother, Nick, who sets Sage’s heart on fire, while Charlie suddenly finds himself enamoured with a new guy, Luke.
High school intrigues, loyalty, friendship, love and expectations are pictured beautifully (if not a bit angsty but who doesn’t love good angst in their romance, right?).
Perfect on Paper, Sophie Gonzales
While you’re busy bingeing Sex Education, let your kid read it’s mild version – Perfect on Paper – where instead of giving sex advice to her classmates, the main heroine gives innocent DATING advice. See! Nothing to worry about 😉
Darcy Phillips is a local relationship expert. She’s also bisexual and has a crush on her best friend Brooke. That same Brooke the hot guy Brougham wants to get back by hiring Darcy as his personal date coach. Talk about love triangles! As it happens, while scheming and planning, Darcy and Brougham grow close and end up together (oops, spoiler!).
So, if the main couple of the story is a boy and a girl, why is this book here? See, biphobia and bi-erasure are two big issues we don’t talk about nearly enough and that often hits hardest when a bisexual person ends up in a heterosexual relationships. Reading about this helps to normalise the situation and explores a different perspective on bisexuality.
She Drives Me Crazy, Kelly Quindlen
Me: I hate clichés!
A writer: This is a story of an athlete and a cheerleader fake-dating.
Me (*cries happy tears and buys 10 copies*): OMG, this is a story of an athlete and a cheerleader fake-dating!!
Well, this short meme is everything you need to know about the plot. Basketball player Scottie was dumped by her girlfriend right before the ex transferred schools and is now playing against Scottie. Scottie wants revenge. Enter Irene, captain of the cheerleading team, who Scottie comes to with a proposition of fake-dating for four months. Their bumpy start only gets bumpier the more time they spend together.
Dumplin‘ series, Julie Murphy
Dumplin’ is Willowdean Dickson from the first book of the series, named so by her former beauty queen mom for her weight. Will is confident, happy and convinced the only ‘bikini body’ you need is the one where you have a bikini and a body.
Then there is Millie Michalchuk in Pudin‘ – the second installation of the series – who has gone to a fat camp every year since she was a girl. Not this year. This year she has new plans – to kiss her crush, Callie Reyes, the pretty girl who is next in line for dance team captain.
And finally, meet Pumpkin – a fat, openly gay boy, stuck in the small West Texas town. Waylon Russell Brewer wants nothing more than to escape the town as soon as he graduates. What he definitely didn’t plan for was for his audition tape for his favorite TV drag show to be accidentally shared with the entire school… and now being nominated for prom queen as a joke! Now he has to spend a lot of time with the very cute and infuriating prom king nominee Tucker Watson.
Felix Ever After, Kacen Callender
Black, queer and transgender – Felix Love is afraid he’s one label too many to ever find his happily-ever-after. What’s more, he’s never been in love and desperately wants to find out what the feeling is like.
When an anonymous student begins sending him transphobic messages—after publicly posting Felix’s deadname alongside images of him before he transitioned—Felix comes up with a plan for revenge. What he doesn’t count on was for his scenario to land him in a love triangle.
As he navigates his complicated feelings, Felix begins a journey of questioning and self-discovery that helps redefine his most important relationship: how he feels about himself.