Pride in YA Books – 2023 Edition

Happy Pride Month! To celebrate we are recommending everyone YA books, adult books, and even modern classics, that champion LGBTQ+. To kick off the month, we are starting with YA books.

Or actually, let’s start with the middle grade ones first:

Middle Grade

Tales from Beyond the Rainbow by Pete Jordi Wood 

Pete Jordi Wood created a collection of 10 diverse LGBTQ+ fairy tales that is done with hours and hours of research. It is so special because as Pete mentioned to us, unlike mythologies,  “[u]ltimately fairy tales belong to our collective folklore and showcase the extraordinary within the lives of everyday individuals”.  The collection is also incredibly gorgeous, with illustrations done by a group of artists from the cultures of those fairy tales.

 

 

 

The Sun and the Star by Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro 

Rick Riordan needs no introduction but just in case you don’t know what this book is, it is an adventure centering around Nico and his boyfriend Will Solace from the Percy Jackson series. The Sun and the Star is a standalone so even if you have forgotten everything that has ever happened in the Percy Jackson books, (or god forbid, you have never read them?!) you will still understand this. But if you are looking to enjoy this book to the max, make sure you remember the plot in The House of Hades (and maybe The Demigod Files)! And don’t worry, there are many fun cameos along the way!

 

 

Jamie by L.D. Lapinski 

L.D. Lapinski is known for their fascinating series, Strangeworlds Travel Agency. In fact, for this year’s World Book Day, there was a new adventure set in the universe and it was incredibly creative. Following Jamie who struggles to pick the right secondary school as Year 7s are divided into boys or girls schools, Jamie is a standalone that celebrates nonbinary children (yes, that’s the nonbinary flag on the book cover). It is a hopeful story that unfortunately might not be realistic in this world but it is nonetheless a story that every child should get to read at school.

 

 

 

 

Young Adult

Boy Like Me by Simon James Green

We can’t have a Pride Month listicle without mentioning Simon James Green, can we?! We have loved his previous books, such as Gay Club! and You’re the One That I Want, as they are always a blast to read and heartwarming as well. This year he has a more serious book, as Boy Like Me sends readers back to 1994 when Section 28 banned all books that mention gay relationships in schools. Unfortunately, the problem of banned books still persist in present days and Simon James Green told us how “[a]ll of [his] books simply hold a mirror up to the world and reflect reality – if that reality makes you uncomfortable, don’t read about it, but don’t you dare stop other people from reading it if it suits them.”

 

Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli

Becky Albertalli chatted with us about including pop culture and ‘codes’ for queer people e.g. sitting weirdly in chairs in Imogen, Obviously. This is already a strong enough reason for everyone to read the book because it’s so much fun. But more importantly, the LGBTQ+ rep, specifically bi rep, is done incredibly well. The story is incredibly heartfelt, and as Becky told us: ‘When it comes to queerness—or any other type of potentially invisible marginalization–we have to hold space for the possibility that the “ally” in question could be a member of our ingroup.”

 

 

Riley Weaver Needs a Date to the Gaybutante Ball by Jason June 

Again, representation is done right as Jason June explores how there can be queerphobia within the LGBTQ+ community, specifically for femme looking gay like Riley. Riley Weaver Needs a Date To The Gaybutante Ball celebrates gender nonconformity and challenges the idea that there is just one way to be gay, and Jason June does all of these incredibly well in this fast-paced, hilarious read.

 

 

 

 

Gwen and Art Are Not In Love by Lex Croucher

This Arthurian legend-inspired tale is Lex Croucher’s YA debut and it has honestly everything you would wish for — witty dialogues and characters you want to protect. Following Gwen and Arthur, who are betrothed yet cannot stand one another, and who might have accidentally found out each other’s secrets such that they now become reluctant allies, Gwen and Art Are Not In Love is heartwarming. You can also check out our interview with Lex Croucher here.

 

 

Six Times We Almost Kissed by Tess Sharpe

Beneath this adorable title is a pretty heavy book about mental health, grief and complicated mother-daughter relationship. And Tess Sharpe deals with each topic with the greatest care. Following Penny who lost her father in an accident, and now whose mother is making a life-changing decision, Six Times We Almost Kissed is an incredibly well-paced slow burn. 10/10 recommend.

 

 

 

Straight Expectations by Calum McSwiggan

Straight Expectations follows Max who might have gotten more than what he wished for when he says he wishes he could have the ‘easy’ life that straight kids enjoy. Calum McSwiggan chatted with us about writing in Straight Max’s perspective (hint: YA boy-meets-girl movies were involved) and why it is always important to check one’s privilege: “although Max is a minority in his queer identity, he’s still privileged in being a cis white male.”

 

 

 

If Tomorrow Doesn’t Come by Jen St. Jude

If Tomorrow Doesn’t Come is an apocalyptic story, but it is also a story about mental illness and seeking the help we need. Jen St. Jude did an amazing interview with us about why apocalyptic literature is popular and how brushing off a coming out could be as terrible as an outright negative reaction: “This sends the message that they’re willing to love her only if [Avery] agrees to stifle that part of herself, and that they aren’t ready to handle pieces of her that are inconvenient.”

 

 

 

Bitterthorn by Kat Dunn

Bitterthorn is a fairy tale-esque story about a witch who comes to claim a companion once a generation and Mina, who is grieving and lonely, offers herself up this time. With Bitterthorn mostly just focusing on the two characters, you can expect great depth in both Mina and the witch. Kat Dunn created impeccable gothic vibes (she chatted about her mood board in our interview with her), which works wonderfully for this story about loneliness and grief.

 

 

Fake Dates and Mooncakes by Sher Lee

It is no surprise that this is listed as one of the top anticipated LGBTQ+ YA books of 2023 on Goodreads. Following Dylan who spends most of his free time working at his aunt’s struggling Chinese restaurant, Fake Dates and Mooncakes is heartwarming as it illustrates the lives of many Chinese families who make a living out of cooking Chinese takeouts. And you will be glad to know that Sher Lee created your next swoon-worthy book boyfriend.

 

 

 

All the Dead Lie Down by Kyrie McCauley

Marin has been invited to nanny for two peculiar girls, and while their sister is every bit as strange as them, she can’t help but feel drawn to her. Kyrie McCauley created some vivid imagery here, as each haunting scene unfolds as if you are watching a horror movie. But don’t worry, the horror is on the lighter side, and the romance also takes some of the tension off. With its fast pace, All the Dead Lie Down is definitely a book that can get one out of their reading slump.

 

 

 

Cupid’s Revenge by Wibke Bruggemann

Cupid’s Revenge is not afraid to touch upon teenagers’ sexuality, and Wibke Bruggemann told us why she wants her books to be a sex positive environment. But more importantly, Cupid’s Revenge also explores how LGBTQ+ teenagers such as Tilly, who finds herself having a crush on her best friend Teddy’s crush, tend to feel left behind in this department but as Wibke reminded us: “the world is big and wonderful and full of beautiful surprises and beautiful people. You’ll see.”

 

 

 

Margo Zimmerman Gets the Girl by Brianna R. Shrum and Sara Waxelbaum 

Margo needs to take Queer 101 asap and she enlisted bisexual Abby to be her teacher. Similar to Imogen, Obviously with all the ‘codes’ for queerness, readers will definitely find the lessons to be hilarious. And similar to Cupid’s Revenge, Brianna R. Shrum and Sara Waxelbaum created a sex positive environment, which is much needed in LGBTQ+ YA reads. And the great representation doesn’t just end at LGBTQ+ representation in Margo Zimmerman Gets the Girl — Margo is neurodivergent and this is weaved in seamlessly in the story.

 

 

 

Bianca Torre is Afraid of Everything by Justine Pucella Winans 

This book is a lot of fun and definitely relatable for many, especially given Bianca Torre is socially awkward and has dozen of fears. However, what is hopefully NOT relatable is that this is a thriller where Bianca’s neighbor got murdered and they now have to solve the mystery with their friends, when all they know are anime and watching birds… Underneath this hilarious story Justine Pucella Winans has written a heartwarming tale about Bianca coming to terms with their non-binary gender identity.

 

 

 

If I Can Give You That by Michael Gray Bulla 

If I Can Give You That is a much-needed transgender representation in this year’s YA Pride book list. That alone should put it near the top of your TBR pile. The book is more than that though – aside from exploring what it is like living as a trans person and experiencing love as a trans person, Michael Gray Bulla also writes about navigating the already-complicated teenage years with a parent who suffers from depression.

 

 

 

 

I Like Me Better by Robby Weber 

This is a light summer read featuring strong character growth and cute slowburn. Zack is not your typical YA protagonist – he is an extrovert and hates books (his loss!). But the fact that a guy falling for another guy is not a big deal, plus the fact that Robby Weber clearly put in a lot of thoughts on marine life and conservation, will certainly draw you in this easy read.