25 YA Novels That You Need To Read During Pride Month
You don't want to miss these fantastic LGBT reads.
BuzzFeed Staff Writer
BuzzFeed Staff
1. Death Prefers Blondes by Caleb Roehrig
Release date: Jan. 29
What it's about: Margo Manning is a rebellious heiress who leads a double life. By day she dodges paparazzi. And by night? She leads a heist of drag queens through high-stakes robberies for desperately-needed money. But when one of their heists puts everyone on board at risk, she must do whatever she can to navigate them through a world of trouble. Roehrig has expertly written a delightful and unique high-stakes adventure that's both dangerous and fun.
Get it from Amazon for $12.32, Barnes and Noble for $16.19, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.
2. We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia
Release date: Feb. 26
What it's about: Daniela Vargas is the top student at Medio School for Girls where graduates are promised a good life running a husband’s household or raising his children. But Dani has a secret: She has forged identification papers. Now that she's to marry an important politico’s son, she must do everything to protect that secret. When an opportunity arises to act as a spy for a resistance group fighting for equality, Dani must decide if she should protect the privilege her parents gave her or fight for freedom for Medio. Mejia pens a compelling, gripping story that mirrors real world issues of immigration and equality.
Get it from Amazon for $12.32, Barnes and Noble for $14.72, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.
3. The Music of What Happens by Bill Konigsberg
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.
4. All the Invisible Things by Orlagh Collins
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+.
5. Once & Future by Amy Rose Capetta and Cori McCarthy
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.
6. The Princess and the Fangirl by Ashley Poston
Release date: April 2
What it's about: Super fangirl Imogen Lovelace is obsessed with the TV show Starfield and is bound and determined to save her favorite character (Princess Amara) from being killed off. The problem? Jessica Stone, the actress who plays Princess Amara, is over it. She wants to leave the show and fandom behind. But when Jessica and Imogen are brought together by a case of mistaken identity at ExcelsiCon, they decide to swap places in order to find out who leaked an unreleased Starfield script — and end up finding love along the way. This lighthearted, fun, LGBT YA book dives expertly into the world of fandoms and cons.
Get it from Amazon for $12.91, Barnes and Noble for $13.29, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.
7. Love & Other Curses by Michael Thomas Ford
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.
8. How Not to Ask a Boy to Prom by S.J. Goslee
Release date: April 23
What it's about: Nolan Grant has never had a boyfriend and never been kissed, but his older sister decides to step in by planning an elaborate “prom-posal” to help Nolan ask out his crush. When Nolan freezes, Bern steps in to save him from his embarrassment by offering to fake date him — but Bern has his own reasons for doing this. Full of humor and tenderness, this contemporary YA will satisfy readers looking to swoon.
Get it from Amazon for $12.32, Barnes and Noble for $12.52, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.
9. Kings, Queens, and In-Betweens by Tanya Boteju
Release date: May 7
What it's about: When Nima Kumara-Clark finds herself unexpectedly immersed in the drag scene on the other side of town, she doesn't expect to become closer to a self she never knew she could be. This contemporary LGBT YA is about self-discovery, identity, and finding yourself fitting in for the first time.
Get it from Amazon for $12.91, Barnes and Noble for $13.29, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.
10. Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins
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.
11. Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
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.
12. I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver
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.
13. We Contain Multitudes by Sarah Henstra
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.
14. Going Off Script by Jen Wilde
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.
15. Brave Face by Shaun David Hutchinson
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.
16. These Witches Don't Burn by Isabel Sterling
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.
17. Like a Love Story by Abdi Nazemian
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
18. Wild and Crooked by Leah Thomas
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.
19. Tell Me How You Really Feel by Aminah Mae Safi
Release date: June 11
What it's about: Sana Khan is a cheerleader, straight-A student, and overachiever. Rachel Recht has one ambition: to become a director someday. Rachel hates Sana, mostly because she believes she was the butt of a cruel prank at Sana's expense in the past. After a certain incident on campus, both girls are forced to work together on Rachel's directorial project — what could go wrong? This is an amazing f/f, enemies-to-lovers YA romance that draws inspiration from the iconic Paris and Rory friendship from Gilmore Girls, set in Los Angeles.
Get it from Amazon for $12.32, Barnes and Noble for $12.59, or a local bookstore through Indiebound here.
20. Something Like Gravity by Amber Smith
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.
21. Ziggy, Stardust & Me by James Brandon
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.
22. The Infinite Noise by Lauren Shippen
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.
23. Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell
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.
24. Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett
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.
25. Girls of Storm and Shadow by Natasha Ngan
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.
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