30 LGBTQ YA Books You'll Absolutely Want To Pick Up This Spring

    Bring yourself some joy this season by rainbowing up your shelves!

    Dahlia Adler
    by Dahlia Adler

    BuzzFeed Contributor

    1. Somebody Told Me by Mia Siegert

    Lerner, Via goodreads.com

    Release date: Apr. 7

    What it's about: Bigender Aleks/Alexis needs to get away from their old "friends," the ones who led to their sexual assault. To do so, they seek refuge with their aunt and uncle, the latter of whom happens to be a Catholic priest. It's an interesting experience for a queer trans kid, to say the least, especially when they realize they can overhear confession through a vent in their room. But when they overhear a confession and subsequent absolution that forces them to confront their own trauma, they'll have to figure out how to take action without losing themself entirely.

    Get it from Bookshop for $17.49, Barnes & Noble for $18.99, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

    2. Sword in the Stars by Amy Rose Capetta and Cori McCarthy

    Via jimmypatterson.org

    Release date: Apr. 7

    What it's about: The sequel to this sci-fi/fantasy dream team's Once & Future reunites us with Ari, Merlin, and the rest of the Rainbow knights as they travel back in time to the Middle Ages to steal King Arthur's grail. As any good time traveler knows, it's of paramount importance that they don't make any moves that'll change the past and therefore reset the future. No problem, right? Not like this group has any history of getting into trouble...

    Get it from Bookshop for $17.46, Barnes & Noble for $18.99, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

    3. Girl Crushed by Katie Heaney

    Chris Ritter / Via goodreads.com

    Release date: Apr. 7

    What it's about: When Quinn's girlfriend, Jamie, dumps her, she's utterly devastated, especially because they seemed to be the only two queer girls at school. But when it turns out they weren't, and that the girl of Quinn's dreams is both bisexual and interested, it looks like she might finally have found the perfect way to fix her broken heart. Except being with Ruby only makes her miss Jamie more. How do you move on when your heart is still with your first love? Heaney's first YA turn is an ode to queer community, amending preconceived notions, and above all, being beautifully messy with your feelings.

    Get it from Bookshop for $17.46, Barnes & Noble for $18.99, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

    4. Ruthless Gods by Emily Duncan

    Wednesday Books / Via us.macmillan.com, Via eaduncan.com

    Release date: Apr. 7

    What it's about: This follow-up to the bestselling Gothic horror-fantasy Wicked Saints is both 100% gorier and 100% gayer. We return to the snowy land of Nadya, Serefin, and Malachiasz as each struggles with hearing compelling voices, voices that beseech them to make the same journey for different reasons. While the attraction between Nadya and Malachiasz is still clearly there despite, well, everything, Serefin is finding the love and care he needs somewhere both wholly unexpected and wholly welcome.

    Get it from Bookshop for $17.46, Barnes & Noble for $13.39, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

    5. The Truth About Keeping Secrets by Savannah Brown

    Sourcebooks Fire / Via goodreads.com, Via goodreads.com

    Release date: Apr. 7

    What it's about: Originally published in the UK, this twisty lesbian YA thriller stars a girl named Sydney whose psychiatrist father has just died in a car crash. Her father's death is confusing enough without one of the most beautiful, popular girls at school showing up at his funeral, but Sydney knows that likely means June was one of her father's patients. As their shared grief and consternation turns into a friendship with an underpinning of crackling chemistry, Sydney can't help but wonder why exactly June's so invested. Unfortunately, she isn't the only one wondering, and it seems that danger and death might not be done with her family just yet...

    Get it from Bookshop for $10.11, Barnes & Noble for $10.99, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

    6. Verona Comics by Jennifer Dugan

    Amber Hooper / Via jldugan.com

    Release date: Apr. 21

    What it's about: Dugan goes Shakespearean in her sophomore novel about two bi (well, one might be pan — she's still figuring that out) teens in a David-and-Goliath comic shop situation. When cellist Jubilee meets Ridley at a Comic-Con prom, the sparks are immediate. It's a lot for the very anxious Ridley to handle, especially when he learns his comic store-chain-owning parents are trying to put Jubilee's indie shop-owning moms out of business. But hiding who he is can only work for so long, especially when he gets a job at the shop and the two begin to spend more time together. Can their relationship survive the truth? And can Ridley survive if their relationship doesn't?

    Get it from Bookshop for $16.54, Barnes & Noble for $17.99, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

    7. Late to the Party by Kelly Quindlen

    Roaring Brook Press / Via us.macmillan.com, Via littleoases.tumblr.com

    Release date: Apr. 21

    What it's about: Quindlen is well known in indie f/f YA for her self-published hit, Her Name in the Sky, but this heartwarming and relatable traditional YA debut should make her a household name among queer YA readers. It stars seventeen-year-old Codi, a lesbian who's never been kissed or done much of anything, other than hang out with her two best friends. But when a chance encounter leads her to a new life that's not only cool and exciting but potentially promises a first romance, Codi can't resist, even if it means keeping her new social life a secret from her old besties. But how long can happiness last if it's tearing her apart from the people she's always loved most?

    Get it from Bookshop for $16.54, Barnes & Noble for $12.59, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

    8. The Mermaid, The Witch, and the Sea by Maggie Tokuda-Hall

    Candlewick / Via penguinrandomhouse.com, Via prettyokmaggie.com

    Release date: May 5

    What it's about: Going by Florian to ensure safe passage on a pirate ship, Flora can't wait to leave this life behind. Falling for one of the passengers-turned-hostages certainly wasn't part of the plan. And that's only the beginning of this wildly grand, wonderfully unique, and explosively fun adventure that has them hunting down a notorious witch, freeing a captive mermaid, and just generally doing whatever they need to survive, all while Flora struggles to understand why Flora and Florian take turns feeling like a perfect fit.

    Get it from Bookshop for $17.46, Barnes & Noble for $18.99, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

    9. Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender

    HarperCollins Publishers / Via harpercollins.com, Ashlee Cain / Via Author

    Release Date: May 5

    What it's about: Callender's groundbreaking sophomore YA stars a Black trans boy named Felix who's looking for love and instead finds himself on a quest for revenge when someone publicly blasts his deadname and pre-transition photos. But his catfishing plan goes awry when he starts to fall for the very person he's supposed to be destroying, and he already has enough confusion with figuring out why despite being so confidently trans, he doesn't feel all male, all the time. (All hail what might be traditionally published YA's first on-page demiboy!) Full of nuanced looks at how relationships can be both toxic and supportive, loving and confusing, and exciting but brief, this is definitely not a book to be missed.

    Get it from Bookshop for $17.46, Barnes & Noble for $18.99, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

    10. Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

    HarperCollins Publishers / Via harpercollins.com, Via acevedowrites.com

    Release date: May 5

    What it's about: Camino and Yahaira are half-sisters, but neither has any idea the other exists until a plane crashes, taking their shared father with it. Camino, who lives in the Dominican Republic, was used to rarely seeing her father, while Yahaira, a lesbian who lives in New York City, knew her father took a lot of business trips. Finally meeting means piecing together his life of lies, but it also means finding someone who understands exactly what they're going through, and maybe that's exactly what they each need to help them get through it.

    Get it from Bookshop for $17.46, Barnes & Noble for $13.99, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

    11. The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar

    Page Street Kids / Via adibajaigirdar.com, Via adibajaigirdar.com

    Release date: May 12

    What it's about: If lesbian enemies-to-lovers between rival Henna business-owning teen girls set in Ireland can't sell you on a book, nothing will. That's exactly what's going on here between Desi Muslim Nishat, whose henna skills come from her cultural experience, and Flavia, whose natural artistic ability might make her a better artist, but doesn't give her the right to cash in on Nishat's specialty. Still, the sparks that fly between the girls are fast and furious, and just because Nishat knows she shouldn't want Flavia doesn't mean she doesn't...

    Get it from Bookshop for $16.54, Barnes and Noble for $17.99, or from a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

    12. The Fascinators by Andrew Eliopulos

    HarperCollines Publishers / Via harpercollins.com, Dirty Sugar LLC / Via andreweliopulos.com

    Release date: May 12

    What it's about: Sam's small town may not like magic, but that won't stop him and his magic club, consisting of his best friends, James and Delia. Sam's feelings for James and Delia's growing frustrations might, though. And James's shady behavior might too. Which means it's up to Sam to figure out how to keep them going before the thing that brought them together becomes the thing that tears them apart.

    Get it from Bookshop for $17.46, Barnes & Noble for $18.99, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

    13. The Summer of Impossibilities by Rachael Allen

    Amulet Books / Via abramsbooks.com, Lauren Wright Photography / Via rachaelallenwrites.blogspot.com

    Release date: May 12

    What it's about: If you've been longing for the feel of Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants in a queer YA, look no further! Allen's latest tells the tale of four girls forced to spend the summer together at a lake house so their BFF moms can reconnect. Included in those girls is Amelia Grace, a Christian whose inconveniently timed accidental outing throws her entire future out of whack. The one bonus to being shuttled away from her original plans is that it'll reconnect her with the girl she fell for years ago...a girl who happens to have a boyfriend.

    Get it from Bookshop for $16.54, Barnes & Noble for $17.99, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

    14. The Boy in the Red Dress by Kristin Lambert

    Penguin Random House / Via penguinrandomhouse.com, Kelly Lambert / Via kristinlambertwrites.com

    Release date: May 12

    What it's about: This stylish, atmospheric, fun, and twisty Prohibition-era murder mystery stars a bi girl named Millie whose turn running her aunt's club on New Year's Eve 1929 turns deadly. The prime suspect in the murder of the wealthy teen girl is none other than the boy she came to see: Marion Leslie, the club's premiere drag performer and Millie's best friend. Now Millie's on a mission to prove Marion's innocence and find the real killer, all while juggling her growing feelings for both a bootlegger's son and a waitress at the club.

    Get it from Bookshop for $17.46, Barnes & Noble for $18.99, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

    15. This Coven Won't Break by Isabel Sterling

    Penguin Random House / Via penguinrandomhouse.com, Megan Adams / Via isabelsterling.com

    Release date: May 19

    What it's about: If you loved Sterling's bewitching These Witches Don't Burn, you definitely don't want to miss its sequel, which brings us back to lesbian witch Hannah in her senior year. With Hunters on the prowl and destruction of entire covens on their brains, Hannah knows she has a responsibility as a witch who's already survived them to take action. But using her magic is slowly killing her, and her new girlfriend, Morgan, is the only one who might be able to save her...if she doesn't lose everything first.

    Get it from Bookshop for $16.54, Barnes & Noble for $17.99, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

    16. Date Me, Bryson Keller! by Kevin van Whye

    Penguin Random House / Via penguinrandomhouse.com, Brandon Barnard Photography / Via kevinvanwhye.com

    Release date: May 19

    What it's about: If you're looking for a romance that'll make you squee like the wind, van Whye's debut is it. It stars Kai Sheridan, a kid who's still trying to find his way out of the closet and finds a stepping stone in the form of adorable and popular Bryson Keller. See, Bryson is bound by a dare to say yes to the first person who asks him out each Monday morning, and when Kai makes sure he's number one in line, he gets a week to see what having a boyfriend would be like. But he doesn't expect to develop real feelings, and he certainly doesn't expect them to be reciprocated. After all, Bryson's not into guys. Is he?

    Get it from Bookshop for $16.54, Barnes & Noble for $17.99, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

    17. The Names We Take by Trace Kerr

    Ooligan Press / Via barnesandnoble.com, Via tracekerr.com

    Release date: May 19

    What it's about: This post-Apocalyptic found family tale follows 17-year-old intersex Pip, who's trying to figure out how to survive in the remains of a plague that's destroyed the world as she knows it. What she does know is that she can't leave anyone behind, including 12-year-old Iris, even if she has no idea how to take care of either of them. Together, they escape to Spokane, find an older girl who becomes the third member of their little gang, and do whatever they must to survive.

    Get it from Bookshop for $14.72, Barnes & Noble for $16.00, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

    18. Camp by L.C. Rosen

    Little, Brown Books for Young Readers / Via levacrosen.com, Rachael Shane / Via levacrosen.com

    Release Date: May 26

    What it's about: Rosen takes his mastery of nuanced queer YA to summer camp, where theatre-loving, nail polish-sporting Randy is reinventing himself for his final stint at Camp Outback in the hopes of finally landing The Guy, aka Hudson Aaronson-Lim. Now he's Del, sports enthusiast and paragon of queer masculinity. After all, Hudson just needs to fall for him; then Del will be able to bring back all the little parts of himself he's pushed to the backburner, and they'll live happily ever after. It's an almost flawless plan, until he realizes Hudson may never accept those parts of him, especially if he can't fully accept himself.

    Get it from Bookshop for $16.54, Barnes & Noble for $17.99, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

    19. Out Now ed. by Saundra Mitchell

    Harlequin Teen / Via harlequin.com, Jared Hagan / Via saundramitchell.com

    Release date: May 26

    What it's about: What's better than a queer novel? How about a whole collection of queer stories, told by your faves? Mitchell's follow-up to the historical All Out anthology is this thoroughly modern gathering of some of queer YA's most exciting voices, including Candice Montgomery (By Any Means Necessary), CB Lee (Not Your Sidekick), Katherine Locke (The Spy With the Red Balloon), Mark Oshiro (Anger is a Gift), Meredith Russo (Birthday), and Caleb Roehrig (The Fell of Dark).

    Get it from Bookshop for $17.46, Barnes & Noble for $18.99, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

    20. Stay Gold by Tobly McSmith

    HarperCollins Publishers / Via harpercollins.com

    Release date: May 26

    What it's about: When trans boy Pony transfers to a new school, he plans to stay under the radar until graduation. Cis girl Georgia's got a similar plan, but it all flies out the window when sparks fly upon first meeting and the two realize there's potential for something real between them. Before they can kick off a relationship, Pony wants to tell Georgia everything. But is she ready to hear it? And can Pony handle it if she isn't?

    Get it from Bookshop for $17.46, Barnes & Noble for $18.99, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

    21. The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta

    Via harpercollins.com, Hussina Raja / Via goodreads.com

    Release date: May 26

    What it's about: A UK import, this novel in verse about a mixed-race gay teen who finds himself (and his persona of The Black Flamingo) through the Drag Society won a Stonewall before ever hitting stateside. Michael's entire life, he's struggled with not being Black enough for his father's Jamaican side of the family and not being Greek enough for his mom's Greek-Cypriot side. But when he gets to university, he finally finds a way to express himself that works: drag. And thus he becomes the Black Flamingo, different and unexpected and beautiful.

    Get it from Bookshop for $17.46, Barnes & Noble for $13.29, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

    22. If We Were Us by K.L. Walther

    Sourcebooks Fire / Via klwalther.com, Via goodreads.com

    Release date: June 2

    What it's about: Boarding school, best friendship, and queer romance come together in a most delightful way when best friends Sage and Charlie find their lives shaken up with the arrival of new boy Luke. See, everyone else may think Sage and Charlie are meant to be, but Charlie is way more into the new boy, giving Sage the opportunity to finally get together with Charlie's twin, Nick. But while Charlie is angsting over his confusing attraction, Sage is stressing out that moving too fast with Nick will mean they're destined to crash and burn before graduation. Good thing they each have their best friend right there to get them through it. Right?

    Get it from Bookshop for $16.54, Barnes & Noble for $17.99, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

    23. You Don't Live Here by Robyn Schneider

    HarperCollins Publishers / Via harpercollins.com, Emily Sandifer / Via robynschneider.com

    Release date: June 2

    What it's about: Reigning Champ of the Most Likely to Destroy You with Feelings holder Schneider is back to do what she does best. When an earthquake quite literally rocks Sasha's world and takes her mother with it, she's forced to pick up and start over at her grandparents'. There, she's pressured, picked apart, and prodded into a relationship that does fit, certainly not the way her feelings for her new friend Lily do. She's already lost everything once; can she risk giving up everything she has left to follow Lily into the lovely unknown?

    Get it from Bookshop for $17.46, Barnes & Noble for $18.99, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

    24. You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson

    Scholastic / Via barnesandnoble.com, Reece T. Williams / Via byleahjohnson.com

    Release date: June 2

    What it's about: This smart, delightful, and inspiring debut stars Liz Lighty, an under-the-radar girl whose plans to get out of town are derailed when her financial aid falls through. The only way she can still get a scholarship to her dream college is to win prom queen, so Liz goes all in, doing whatever it takes for the crown. But there was no way to expect the biggest hurdle of all in what already feels like an impossible uphill battle: new girl Mack, who's not only Liz's competition but a way, way too attractive and compelling a distraction.

    Get it from Bookshop for $16.54, Barnes & Noble for $17.99, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

    25. The Dark Tide by Alicia Jasinska

    Sourcebooks Fire / Via barnesandnoble.com, Anneke_jasinski / Via aliciajasinska.com

    Release date: June 2

    What it's about: As the Witch Queen, it's Eva's responsibility to sacrifice a person every year to keep Caldella from sinking. And ever since her sister sacrificed herself in place of the chosen boy years ago, Eva shows no mercy. So when Lina's plan to save her brother lands the boy she loves in the hot seat instead, and she gives herself up to save him, Eva feels no sympathy; if Lina wants to die, then as soon as the full moon hits, that's exactly what will happen. Until they spend time together while Lina's in captivity, and see their feelings for each other turn romantic. Now Eva's not willing to let Lina go, but what can they do when the deadly dark tide comes calling?

    Get it from Bookshop for $16.54, Barnes & Noble for $17.99, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

    26. Where We Go From Here by Lucas Rocha

    Scholastic, Inc. / Via barnesandnoble.com, Via goodreads.com

    Release date: June 2

    What it's about: Rocha's first YA to make it up to the States from Brazil follows three teen boys who are each affected by HIV in different ways. Ian has just tested positive. Victor has just tested negative. And Henrique, Victor's boyfriend, has been HIV-positive for three years, something he didn't tell Victor until after they had sex. Victor is less than thrilled about that, but still, when he meets Ian as they're both getting tested, he knows he has to think beyond himself and put the other two boys in touch so Henrique can be Ian's support system through his new diagnosis. And thus begins a journey for all three boys that will tie them together in inextricable ways.

    Get it from Bookshop for $17.46, Barnes & Noble for $18.99, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

    27. The State of Us by Shaun David Hutchinson

    HarperCollins Publishers / Via harpercollins.com, Chris Piedra / Via shaundavidhutchinson.com

    Release date: June 2

    What it's about: Is any year of queer YA complete without the ever-reliable Hutchinson? Dean's mother is the Republican candidate. Dre's father is the Democrat candidate. They should have absolutely nothing to do with each other, but the more time they spend together on the campaign trail, the harder staying away becomes. (Especially as Dre, who's out as gay, helps serve as Dean's queer guru while the latter works on both understanding and expressing his demisexuality.) But when a third party candidate tries to ruin both boys in his effort to win, it might be the final straw for their already fraught relationship.

    Get it from Bookshop for $16.54, Barnes & Noble for $17.99, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

    28. The Falling in Love Montage by Ciara Smyth

    HarperCollins Publishers / Via harpercollins.com, Via goodreads.com

    Release date: June 9

    What it's about: If you love books that make you laugh and cry, Smyth's debut is about to leap into your favorites. Saoirse Clark's mind is on the fact that she's slowly losing her mother; the last thing she needs or wants is to fall into a relationship. But when she meets a girl at a party who's just too impossible to resist, Saoirse may have to rethink things a little bit. Luckily, mischievous Ruby has the perfect plan: their entire relationship will be just the fun parts, the montage in the middle of the rom com where all the good falling-in-love stuff happens. Then, when they physically part come fall, they'll have a clean, natural break. Because no one's ever developed feelings doing just the fun stuff in a relationship, right?

    Get it from Bookshop for $16.54, Barnes & Noble for $17.99, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

    29. I'll Be the One by Lyla Lee

    HarperCollins Publishers / Via harpercollins.com, Via goodreads.com

    Release date: June 16

    What it's about: The must-read queer YA for K-Pop fans, Lee's YA debut follows Skye Shin, an incredibly talented Korean American girl who's fat, bisexual, and determined to become a star. When she earns her way into a top spot on a reality show looking for the next big K-Pop star, it's only the beginning of the battle — against everyone who thinks she should be thinner, against her mother who thinks she should drop out, and of course, against her competition, which includes sexy (and also bi) (and charming) (and maybe interested?) celebutante Henry Cho.

    Get it from Bookshop for $16.54, Barnes & Noble for $17.99, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

    30. You're Next by Kylie Schachte

    Little, Brown and Company / Via jimmypatterson.org, Xander Keeping / Via Author

    Release date: June 23

    What it's about: This bi YA debut thriller stars Flora Calhoun, a girl who's watching history repeat itself in the deadliest way possible. For years, Flora's been notorious for having found a classmate's dead body. Then her former flame, Ava, begs her to meet up, and Flora ends up with yet another corpse: Ava's. Flora knows she's in danger, but she isn't giving up the mystery of Ava's killer without a fight, even as it deepens into a dangerous conspiracy that could make her the school's very next dead girl.

    Get it from Bookshop for $16.54, Barnes & Noble for $17.99, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.