[wps_cart_icon]
Login/Sign up

Celebrate Pride Month with These Queer Reads!

June is LGBTQ Pride Month and we are celebrating all the YA books and authors that feature LGBTQ characters.

Here’s a list of some of our favorite queer reads across genres—fantasy, sci-fi, romance, nonfiction, you name it. Some are new, and some have been around for a few years. All are inspiring and all are welcome here.

Boy Meets Boy

Boy Meets Boy

By David Levithan

Boy Meets Boy flips the classic boy-meets-girl trope and looks at what it means to find and lose love in a gay-friendly, liberal town in New Jersey. (Sounds like paradise, no?) Boy Meets Boy captures the spirit of those first crucial moments in a high school crush: the butterflies, the sweaty palms, and the never-ending swooning that comes with seeing that guy or that girl strut down the hallway. Crucially, it points out the universality of that experience regardless of sexual preference.

MORE

By

MORE

Superheroes often have to hide their true identity. Moore, who was queer himself, saw this trope as being reflective of the LGBTQ experience, so he created Thom Creed to discuss what being a teenage queer hero looks and feels like. The result is nothing less than a heartfelt coming-of-age story about a boy who desperately wants to fit in, set in the world of capes and tights.

By

MORE

The story of the fall of Troy is often dominated by Achilles, the famed warrior. But did you know Achilles had a shy lover named Patroclus? The Song of Achilles begins earlier than Homer’s Iliad, and with Patroclus as narrator, we learn how the two met and how their close friendship became something deeper. This story of a budding gay romance is intertwined with the mythology of ancient Greece. Not technically YA, but giving an old classic a new spin is always something we can get behind.

By

MORE

The Stonewall Riots of 1969 are one of the defining moments in LGBTQ history. Ann Bausum recounts these events, which started off as a standard police raid and became a series of spontaneous demonstrations that led to the formation of the gay rights movement. It is because of this episode that we celebrate Pride Month in June. The Stonewall Riots represent a turning point, when a marginalized group took a stand. It’s a story that’s both inspiring and astounding.

Being Jazz

Being Jazz

By Jazz Jennings

Jazz Jennings is one of the youngest and strongest voices in the discussion on gender identity. High school isn’t easy, and it is even harder when you feel like a stranger in your own body. Jazz gives us an enlightening and powerful look at what it means to be a part of the transgender community. Jazz tells her story in both a compelling and celebratory way, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to feature Being Jazz as part of this amazing literary lineup.

MORE

By

MORE

Juliet Takes a Breath is a moving book about self-discovery and acceptance. Puerto Rican and lesbian, Juliet comes out to her mother with little to no expectation of how her mom will react. This tale is nothing short of breathtaking, and Gabby truly hones in on the conflict of growing up queer and Latina. If you love this read, be sure to check out Gabby’s writing in America, a stand-alone title from Marvel Comics, starring a queer Latina.

By

MORE

Loneliness, isolation, leaving your past behind—We Are Okay explores it all. Our protagonist, Marin, leaves life in sunny California for college in New York. She left without a trace, not even telling her best friend, Mabel. But one cold, dreary day during winter break, Mabel visits Marin, and they are forced to deal with the events that played out in the past. The story, so beautifully written, is about two humans trying to navigate through past mistakes and accept the reality of the present.

Every Day Movie Tie-In Edition

Every Day Movie Tie-In Edition

By David Levithan

In Every Day, readers met A, a teen who wakes up every morning in a different body. A has made peace with that, establishing guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere. It’s all fine until the morning A wakes up in the body of Justin. When A meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon, A discovers what it means to wants to be with someone—day in, day out, day after day.

MORE
Another Day

Another Day

By David Levithan

In Another Day, the follow up to Every Day, readers experience the same story from Rhiannon’s perspective, as she seeks to understand A’s life and discover if you can truly love someone who is destined to change every day. This complex novel explores love, gender, and sexuality, and is sure to inspire discussion.

MORE

By

MORE

High school is confusing . . . surprise! Simon, a high school junior, is in his prime. He’s in the drama club, he’s got a tight-knit group of friends, and he’s falling for a mysterious pen pal by the name of Blue. But when Simon is blackmailed by the class clown, his nearly perfect junior year becomes complicated. Incredibly funny and poignant, this is a beautiful coming-out-while-coming-of-age

By

MORE

The heartbreak that comes with losing a partner can be one of life’s most painful experiences. Griffin, our protagonist, is heartbroken after his first boyfriend tragically drowns. In an effort to move on, Griffin moves to another town and finds a new boyfriend. But Griffin can’t come to terms with what’s happened, and it could jeopardize his current relationship. History Is All You Left Me is an emotional reminder to live in the moment and to allow ourselves to heal. We all deserve happiness, no matter what.

10 Things I Can See From Here

10 Things I Can See From Here

By Carrie Mac

Love can be terrifying, right? (Or is it just us?) Maeve, who suffers from an anxiety disorder, falls in love with Salix, a girl who’s practically fearless. After moving to a new town, Maeve is feeling more anxious than normal, but can the thrill of a new relationship give her new perspective? There’s a little bit of Maeve in us all, and that’s a beautiful thing. This gorgeous novel deals tactfully and realistically with anxiety and relationships, all while entertaining us with a wonderful tale of love and bravery.

MORE

By

MORE

Sana, a sixteen-year-old Japanese girl with a knack for keeping secrets, just moved to California with her family. Secrets are her thing, until she meets the beautiful Jamie. Sana’s not out, and like all crushes, it’s complicated. But maybe Sana should just tell everyone how she feels about girls. It’s Not Like It’s a Secret offers an intelligent look at intersectionality, immigrant-family relationships, and young love. Sana is a beautiful, complex character who learns that there’s beauty in being open, honest, and true to yourself.

Join the conversation

Like
Like Love Haha Wow Sad Angry
1
Post a comment
1 Like 0 Comments
Like
Like Love Haha Wow Sad Angry
1

Related Articles

Thrillers You Need to Read by Holly Jackson

Check out these binge-worthy thrillers by Holly Jackson!

Must-Read YA Thrillers by Natasha Preston

Check out these binge-worthy thrillers by New York Times bestseller Natasha Preston! Read The Island, The Fear, and more . . . .

5 Cold Weather Problems Any Booklover Can Relate To

This dark, frozen time of year can often be a drag for booklovers. Here are five cold weather problems all book nerds can relate to.

Become a Book Nerd

When you’re not reading books, read our newsletter.

Underlined

A Penguin Random House Company
PenguinRandomHouse.com

Copyright © 2023 Penguin Random House LLC. All Rights Reserved

Underlined