It’s Pride Month! But there are enough books on this list to carry you through more than just June.
Happy Pride to everyone! This is part 1 of my queer book recommendation list!
In Part 1 we’re hitting Young Adult and Middle Grade. I’ve broken this into 5 sections: High Fantasy, Speculative Fantasy/Urban Fantasy, Contemporary, Middle Grade, and Graphic Novels.
Part 2 will be adult – Fantasy, Contemporary, Indie, and Novellas.
I’ve linked full reviews for each book I’ve written one for!
YA High Fantasy
These are fantasy books set in a fantastical world!
1. In the Ravenous Dark by A.M. Strickland
Representation: Pansexual, Lesbian, Asexual, Nonbinary
“A pansexual bloodmage reluctantly teams up with an undead spirit to start a rebellion among the living and the dead.“
2. Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust
Representation: M-spec
“A girl cursed to be poisonous to the touch, and who discovers what power might lie in such a curse…”
3. Girls of Paper and Fire series by Natasha Ngan
Representation: F/F relationship, Asian MCs
A paper girl with golden eyes is chosen as a concubine for the Demon King and stolen to the palace. Every year there are 8 girls. But this year there are 9. And the 9th girl fights back.
4. Strange Grace by Tessa Gratton
Representation: M-Spec, Poly Relationship
“Once, a witch made a pact with a devil. The legend says they loved each other, but can the story be trusted at all?”
5. Cinderella is Dead by Kaylnn Baron
Representation: Lesbian, Black MC
200 years ago Cinderella found her prince. But the truth behind the fairytale isn’t as romantic as it appears. Now girls are forced to attend the ball to be chosen as a wife. And the girls not chosen are never heard from again.
6. Sweet and Bitter Magic by Adrienne Tooley
Representation: Lesbian
“A witch cursed to never love meets a girl hiding her own dangerous magic, and the two strike a dangerous bargain to save their queendom.”
YA Speculative/Urban Fantasy
These fantasy books are set in our world but with a magical twist.
1. Blanca & Roja by A.M. McLemore
Representation: Trans, Non-binary, Pansexual, Latinx
The del Cisne girls are cursed – one of the sister will be taken by swans at trapped in the body of a swan. But when 2 local boys are drawn into their world, and all four of their fates depend on facing truths that could either save or destroy them.
2. A Dark and Hollow Star by Ashley Shuttleworth
Representation: Non-binary, Gay, Gender Fluid, F/F relationship
Fae, urban fantasy about 4 queer teens who ban together to uncover who is behind a series of brutal murders that threatens to reveal the faeries.,
Representation: F/F Relationship
It’s been 16 months since the island housing an all-girls boarding school was put under quarantine. When the mysterious Tox started to change everything living on the island.
4. Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
Representation: Trans, Gay, Latinx
A trans boy falls in love with a bad-boy ghost while trying to prove his identity as a Brujo to his family.
4. Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand
Representation: Asexual, F/F Relationship
A band of teen girls try to take on a demon haunting their town and stealing girls with the help of a sentient and magical island.
YA Contemporary
These YA contemporaries feature some amazing queer romances!
1. She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlan
Representation: Lesbian, Black MC/Side Character/Best Friend
Rivals and polar opposites are forced together after an accident that leaves them car-less and strike a bargain to fake date.
2. You Have a Match by Emma Lord
Representation: F/F Relationship, Adoption
When a teen discovers she a sister she never knew about, she finds herself at a summer camp getting to know the girl she never knew existed. And tries to uncover why this has been kept a secret her entire life.
3. The Henna Wars by Adiba Jairgirdar
Representation: Lesbian, Bangladeshi
Two teen girls have an immediate connection but butt heads when they start rival henna businesses for a completive school project.
4. Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins
Representation: Lesbian
A Houston native flees to a prestigious Scottish boarding school after a disastrous breakup. But she’s not expecting to find a beautiful but infuriating princess as her new roommate.
Middle Grade
Unfortunately I don’t have many recs here. But I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to recommend this books.
1. The Mighty Heart of Sunny St. James by Ashley Herring Blake
Representation: F/F, Chronic Illness
Sunny just got a new heart. And now she has a plan: do awesome amazing things, find a new best friend, kiss a boy. But when she finds a new best friend she realizes she might not want to kiss a boy at all…
Graphic Novels
1. Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker
Representation: F/F, Nonbinary, Disability
An adorable story about witches, werewolves, second chance romance, and family.
2. Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
Representation: Gay, Bisexual, Mental Health
Two high school boys strike up a friendship that may be much more. It’s a heartwarming story of their love.
Part 2 is coming later this week! So make sure to check back for even more LGBTQIA+ recommendations ❤️
I’ve read a few of these and the rest are on my TBR. Awesome list.
Thanks for sharing! 🌈
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[…] you missed part 1, I shared a bunch of YA and Middle Grade book recommendations for both Pride Month and […]
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