25 YA Novels That You Need To Read During Pride Month

Release date: Feb. 26

What it's about: Set in Mesa, Arizona the summer before senior year, Max and Jordan find themselves having to work together in a food truck. The two couldn't be more opposite. Jordan is shy and slightly nerdy while Max is all about sports and video games. But throughout the duration of the summer, the two end up helping each other in ways they might not have expected. This is a smart, tender romance that also sheds light on real, important issues.

Get it from Amazon for $12.32, Barnes and Noble for $14.78, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

Release date: March 7

What it's about: Vetty and Pez were inseparable as kids, but then Vetty had to move away and she and Pez lost touch. Flash-forward to their teenage years, Vetty has moved back to her childhood home and is interested in rebuilding her friendship with Pez. Everyone says that boy-girl friendships don't work, but when Pez tells her she's not like "other girls," Vetty embarks on a journey of self-discovery and who she really is, with and without the labels.

Get it from Amazon for $11.46+.

Release date: March 26

What it's about: It's the story of King Arthur and Excalibur, but instead of Arthur, we have Ari, a badass queer icon who's slaying corrupt government regimes and bringing peace and equality to all.

Get it from Amazon for $12.91+, Barnes & Noble for $15.19, or at a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

Release date: April 9

What it's about: Sam Weyward is no exception to his family's curse — if a member of the Weyward family falls in love before their seventeenth birthday, the object of their love dies. This is no problem for Sam, since he spends all his time cooking up magic with his family and spending time in drag at the local gay club. But all this changes when a new boy comes to town and Sam can't seem to keep his feelings in check.

Get it from Amazon for $8.99+, Barnes & Noble for $16.19, or at a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

Release date: May 7

What it's about: When Millie Quint discovers the girl she was seeing kissing someone else, she decides to apply to go to boarding school in Scotland. After getting in on full scholarship, Millie jets from Houston to Scotland for a complete change of scenery. The only problem? Millie's roommate is kind of pretentious and annoying. The other problem? She's actually the princess of Scotland. This adorable f/f rom-com will have you delightfully swooning from beginning to end.

Get it from Amazon for $12.32, Barnes & Noble for $17.99, or at a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

Release date: May 14

What it's about: When Alex's mom becomes President of the United States, he's forced to call a "truce" between him and his archenemy, Prince Henry from across the pond. What started off as a fake friendship for Instagram likes and global diplomacy turns into a secret romance that may cause more problems than they even thought possible.

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+, Barnes & Noble for $10.90, or at a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

Release date: May 14

What it's about: When Ben De Backer comes out as non-binary, they're forced to move in with their older sister Hannah, and her husband, Thomas. Now at a new school for the last half of senior year, Ben attempts to keep a low profile and only comes out to the school's therapist. Then they meet Nathan Allan, who takes Ben under his wing — but their friendship slowly begins to turn into something deeper. Deaver has created an important, tender story that's full of heart.

Get it from Amazon for $12.32, Barnes and Noble for $12.59, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

Release date: May 14

What it's about: After a school assignment makes Jonathan and Kirk pen pals, the two find love in a hopeless place through the love letters they write to one another. But with the rampant bullying and homophobia that occurs in their school and town, these two will have to fight to overcome all the hardships in order to hold on to one another.

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+, Barnes & Noble for $16.19, or at a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

Release date: May 21

What it's about: When 17-year-old Bex lands a summer job as an intern on her favorite TV show, she dreams of being in the writers' room — not going on coffee runs. Bex decides to take things into her own hands, writing her own script for the show and sharing it with the head writer. Only, he takes credit for it and rewrites her lesbian character as straight. Bex does the only thing she can do: she fights back.

Get it from Amazon for $12.32, Barnes & Noble for $16.19, or at a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

Release date: May 21

What it's about: This heart-wrenching memoir follows Shaun David Hutchinson, from the depressed young boy he was through all the trials and tribulations he had to endure to come out on the other side as the proud, gay man his is today.

Get it from Amazon for $12.19+, Barnes & Noble for $18.99, or at a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

Release date: May 28

What it's about: Set in Salem, Massachusetts, Hannah is a witch who has the power to control fire, earth, water, and air. The catch? She has to keep her magic to herself. Nobody can find out. But when evidence of dark, deadly magic begins to appear all over town, the only solution is for Hannah to team up with her ex Veronica in order to save the day. This paranormal, queer YA has a fantastically fun voice and a brilliant, atmospheric mystery element.

Get it from Amazon for $12.32, Barnes & Noble for $13.18, or at a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

Release date: June 4

What it's about: It's the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in 1989. Reza, a young and closeted Iranian teen, is new to NYC. Soon, he begins dating Judy, who quickly falls in love with him. But while Reza is pretending with Judy, he begins to fall for Art, who happens to be Judy's best friend. It's a love triangle of epic proportions where there's more at stake than a broken heart.

Get it from Amazon for $8.99+, Barnes & Noble for $12.59, or at a local bookstore through Indiebound here

Release date: June 4

What it's about: All Kalyn wants to do is disassociate from the legacy of her murderer-father, which is hard now that she's moved back to the town where he committed the crime. Kalyn strikes up a friendship with Gus, a queer boy with cerebral palsy, and the two become thick as thieves. But things are tested between them when it comes to light that one, Gus's dad is the man Kalyn's dad is in jail for murdering and, two, Kalyn's dad may be innocent. This story truly tests the bonds of friendship.

Get it from Amazon for $12.26+, Barnes & Noble for $17.09, or at a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

Release date: June 18

What it's about: Chris and Maia have a meet-not-so-cute, and things spiral from there. But, despite their awful run-ins, these neighbors can't stay away from one another, but their romance isn't an easy one. Maia is still grieving over the loss of her sister and Chris, who recently came out as trans, is still getting over an assault he endured a few years prior. This story is as beautiful as it is breathtaking.

Get it from Amazon for $10.99+, Barnes & Noble for $13.29, or at a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

Release date: Aug. 6

What it's about: In 1973, Jonathan Collins spends more time in fantasy land, daydreaming about his idol, Ziggy Stardust, and having imagined conversations with his dead mother, than reality. But that all changes when a boy name Web enters Jonathan's orbit and he begins falling for the fearless, brooding boy.

Get it from Amazon for $10.99+, Barnes & Noble for $17.99, or at a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

Release date: Sept. 24

What it's about: Caleb is the all-American quarterback who seems to have it all, but that all changes when his powers begin to manifest. Caleb is an Atypical, specifically an empath who feels all the emotions of the people around him. He keeps getting pulled into the orbit of a boy named Adam, whose feelings seem to be in perfect sync with his. When he begins to explore this connection — through the encouragement of his therapist — feelings begin to develop. But just when he starts getting a handle on his powers, Caleb realizes just how powerful he can be.

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+, Barnes & Noble for $12.59, or at a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

Release date: Sept. 24

What it's about: This is the sequel to Carry On, focusing on what exactly Simon is up to now that he — the Chosen One — has saved the day. Simon, Penny, and Baz decide to take a road trip, where they stumble upon dragons, vampires, and other trouble along the way.

Get it from Amazon for $13.51, Barnes & Noble for $13.99, or at a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

Release date: Oct. 29

What it's about: Simone is a teen living her normal live, she also happens to be HIV-positive. She's the director of the school's production of Rent and is testing the waters with a new boy named Miles. But, one day, someone leaves a note on her locker, telling her to break it off with Miles or they'll reveal to the entire school that she's HIV-positive. This story is about fighting other people's prejudices and standing up for oneself.

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

Release date: Nov. 5

What it's about: This is the heart-pounding sequel to Girls of Paper and Fire. Lei and Wren escaped the Hidden Palace after Lei slayed the cruel Demon King, but the hard work has just begun. With a bounty on Lei's head, she must travel with her lover Wren across the kingdom to gain allies with the far-flung rebel clans. Lei and Wren must succeed in their mission before opposing forces try to eliminate the rebel uprising. Girls of Storm and Shadow sounds like it will deliver just as much magic, intrigue, and adventure as the first.

Get it from Amazon for $15.63, Barnes and Noble for $15.63, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.