Young Adult Queer Books Everyone Should Read

Anthony Rodriguez//Blog Writer

Growing up as a gay teenager, it was hard for me to find strong relatable characters who were also gay. Cassandra Clare’s acclaimed Shadowhunter Chronicles started to let queer characters shine, but sadly these characters had to be cast aside because of the time of writing. Although these characters were sidelined back then, in today’s publishing world strong queer characters are starting to headline their own stories. As a young adult, I am just finding characters I needed years ago, but I still love these characters and books with all my heart. Below is a list of young adult books I have read that offer great queer representation that I feel that everyone should read!

 

1. 

   History is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera

• Starting our list is a rising author, Adam Silvera. Silvera has written three books so far and all of them include queer representation! This book in particular is Silvera’s second novel following the story of Griffin who has OCD and is coping the loss of Theo, his ex-boyfriend and longtime friend. Then enter Jackson, Theo’s recent boyfriend. As Jackson and Griffin start to comfort each other through this difficult time, Griffin is put on a downward spiral that leads to him confront his history in order to have a future. Get the tissues ready for this one!

 

 

 

 

 

2. Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

• Coming up next is Becky Albertalli’s debut novel following the story of Simon Spier. Simon is still in the closet and has been talking to a boy going by the pen name Blue through email. That was until Simon’s emails are found and he starts getting blackmailed by class clown Martin, causing Simon’s world to be flipped around. Get ready for some cuteness overload in this book! Also, this book has been adapted into a movie called Love, Simon and the movie is just as good and cute as the book. Get your cards/cash ready to buy this book!

 

 

 

 

 

3. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

• Set during the 1980’s, Aristotle and Dante are polar opposites who happen to meet at the community swimming pool. As they start to hang out more and form a friendship, Ari and Dante’s lives are changed forever as they start to find out more about themselves and what they want their future to be. Again, cuteness overload for this book too, this was my first book I read with both strong queer and Hispanic representation! Get ready to fall in love with Ari and Dante.

 

 

 

 

 

4. Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

• Told from two points of view, we follow the story of Will Grayson and Will Grayson: two strangers whose lives intertwine in the most unexpected way and are changed forever. Get ready for an emotional rollercoaster ride with this story. John Green and David Levithan come together to deliver a story full of laughs and feels!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Every Day by David Levithan

• David Levithan has written many books with queer representation, but this book in particular is interesting. This book follows the story of “A,” a being who wakes up in a different body every day, in love with the same girl, Rhiannon. “A” can wake up as a male or female and Rhiannon will still find her way to them and live out that day with them. A fun cool twist on queer representation! This book is also being made into a movie!

 

 

 

 

6. The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

• In Mackenzi Lee’s newest novel, we follow the story of Monty who is raised to be a gentleman. However, this is not what Monty wants. Monty craves fiery passion from both women and men. Monty then embarks on a journey only to find out that he is to inherit his father’s estate and is also crushing on his friend and traveling companion, Percy. Monty tries to make the most of this trip and pulls out all the stops, which changes the course of Monty’s journey into a dangerous manhunt. Get ready for some historical fiction with amazing bisexual representation!

 

 

 

 

It was hard to choose which books to include because there are so many amazing books, but this is a starting point for those who are looking for great queer representation in young adult literature! Happy reading!