YA Pride: LGBTQ+ Books for Teens

“When all Americans are treated as equal, no matter who they are,  or whom they love, we are all more free.”  -Barack Obama

Inclusion. Respect. Love. Celebration. Pride.  

During the month of June, and beyond, the South Huntington Public Library is proud to recognize our teen members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. In order to honor this group, we invite you to check out a few -- or all -- of the following fiction and nonfiction books, which are available in our digital library collection. 

NONFICTION:

This Books is Gay

This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson (Gr. 10 & up) 

Blunt, funny, no-holds-barred information about the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender experience, including terms, religious issues, homophobia and bullying, anti-gay legislation, coming out, sexual activity, and more. Everything gay or straight teens might have been afraid or too embarrassed to ask. 

Ebook & Audiobook:  Hoopla, Overdrive

 

 

 

Queer Heroes

Queer Heroes: Meet 53 LGBTQ Heroes From Past to Present by Arabelle Sicardi (Gr. 6 & up)

Through a laudable array of different ages, ethnicities, genders, professions, and time periods, Sicardo presents a celebration of people who have made their mark in the fight for equality for LGBTQ+ people.  This is the perfect time to dive into this collection and hear all about these inspiring individuals.

Ebook: Overdrive

 

 

 

57 Bus

57 Bus by Dashka Slater (Gr. 8 & up)

This is the true story of two young adults, one destructive and rash act, and the way it permanently changed both their lives.  The book is broken up into four sections (Sasha, Richard, the Fire, and Justice), and includes narrative writing, lists, poetry, text messages, and correspondence.  This is merely one example of how hate and prejudice affects LGBTQ+ teens, and it is enthralling, devastating, and important. 

Ebook & Audiobook:  Overdrive

 

 

 

FICTION:

Black Flamingo

Black Flamingo by Dean Atta (Verse novel, Gr. 9 & up)

As a mixed-race gay teen, Michael has never felt like he fits in with his peers, with his cultural heritages, within himself.  It takes a lot of courage, the support of a new found family, and the freedom he feels as his drag persona, The Black Flamingo, for him to finally feel at peace in his own skin. This book is the most recent Stonewall Award Winner.

 Ebook & Audiobook:  Overdrive

 

 

 

 

Labyrinth Lost

Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova (Fantasy, Gr. 9 & up)

Magic is an integral part of the Mortiz family, and it is considered an honor when a child is old enough to fully embrace their talents. Alex, on the other hand, has been dreading the day when she has her Deathday and must accept the powers that she’s been hiding. When she attempts to deny her inheritance, her efforts backfire and her entire family suffers the consequences. With the guidance of a boy she doesn’t fully trust, Alex will be forced to rely on the powers she never wanted in order to bring her family safely home. 

Ebook: Hoopla, Overdrive

Audiobook:Overdrive

 

 

PET

Pet by Akwaeke Emezi (Fantasy/Horror, Gr. 7 & up)

Jam lives in a time and place where there are no monsters, there is nothing to fear.  At least that is what she is told, what she believes, until a creature emerges from her mother’s painting, and proceeds to tell Pet that he is there to fight monsters -- and he needs her help.

Ebook & Audiobook: Overdrive

 

 

 

 

Runebinder

Runebinder by Alex R. Kahler (Fantasy, Gr. 9 & up)

A few years after magic destroyed the world, Tenn joins other humans who are fighting a losing battle against the monstrous Howls and the necromancers who control them.  Thanks to a steamy same-sex love triangle and suspenseful clashes between good and evil, this trilogy starter is sure to have you hooked!

Ebook & Audiobook:  Hoopla, Overdrive

 

 

 

Not your Sidekick

Not Your Sidekick by C. B. Lee (Science fiction, Gr. 6 & up)

Despite being the daughter of two minor superheroes, Jessica is regrettably powerless.  Given her disappointing normalcy, Jessica considers herself lucky to find an internship that will take her.  On the upside, the job includes working with her crush, Abby! On the downside, she’ll be working for her parents’ evil nemesis.  What could possibly go wrong?

Ebook & Audiobook:  Hoopla, Overdrive

 

 

 

Gentleman's Guide

Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee (Historical fiction, Gr. 9 & up)

The son of a lord and an unrepentant hedonist, Henry Montague plans to make his coming of age trip around the world a year long adventure, including (but not limited to) parties, pirates, petty larceny, and Percy -- his best friend and secret crush.  Buckle up, it’s going to be a fun-filled ride!

Ebook & Audiobook:  Axis360, Hoopla, Overdrive

 

 

 

A Line in the Dark

A Line in the Dark by Malinda Lo (Psychological thriller, Gr. 9 & up)

When Jess’s best friend Angie starts dating Margot, Jess has a hard time overcoming her jealousy and dislike of Margot and her bullying friend Ryan.  Certain that this new relationship will bring nothing but trouble, even Jess is surprised when that trouble comes in the form of murder.

Ebook & Audiobook:  Overdrive

 

 

 

 

All Out: The No-Longer-Secret Stories of Queer Teens Throughout the Ages

All Out: The No-Longer-Secret Stories of Queer Teens Throughout the Ages edited by Saundra Mitchell (Historical fiction collection, Gr. 9 & up)

This ambitious and welcome anthology collects 17 stories from respected LGBTQ+ young adult authors, with different styles and moods that provide something for every type of reader.  Not to be missed, it works well with the companion collection Out Now: Queer We Go Again, which has stories from a variety of genres and is also available on Overdrive.

Ebook: Hoopla, Overdrive

 

 

 

Check, Please! Book 1: #Hockey

Check, Please! Book 1: #Hockey by Ngozi Ukazu (Graphic novel, Gr. 10 & up)

This first book in a graphic novel duology has plenty of sports based thrills, believable college banter and experiences, and delightful romantic tension as peppy former figure skater and current blogger/baker Eric Bittle joins his college hockey team and has to deal with fitting in, standing out, and maybe even starting a relationship with the uptight and initially unapproachable team captain Jack Zimmerman.  Also check out the sequel: Sticks and Scones.

Ebook: Overdrive

 

 

Published by on June 24, 2020
Last Modified April 23, 2024