Essential Reading for Queer Teens

(2) YA Ben and Arthur meet-cute without exchanging contact information. When they finally relocate each other, a series of creative attempts at first and "do-over" dates ensues before the relationship turns more serious. Underlying issues propel their conflicts, but mostly, the novel is a happy and laugh-out-loud-funny rom-com, full of pop-culture references and banter. Alternating point-of-view chapters make each protagonist's concerns believable and sympathetic, even as the plot hinges on unbelievable luck.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2018

(1) YA Bausum begins with a detailed, nuanced exposition of the June 1969 Stonewall riots as a galvanizing moment for the gay rights movement, then traces the movement's evolution (in a somewhat more cursory way) for the second half of the book. Bausum's narrative integrity makes her conclusions about the persecution and resilience of the LGBTQ community all the more powerful. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2015

(4) YA In a serviceable overview of LGBTQ+ athletes in U.S. sports at the professional, collegiate, and high school levels, Cronn-Mills considers the prejudices, fears, and other cultural forces that shape these athletes' experiences. Although the history is scattered, the narrative offers engaging introductions to iconic and/or trailblazing individuals. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross

(3) YA Eighth-grade theater girl Mattie finds herself playing Romeo opposite Gemma, her first girl-crush. Mattie struggles with her feelings: Does liking this one girl make her a lesbian? What happens if her classmates find out? The ending leaves Gemma's intentions toward Mattie fuzzy. It's refreshing to see a same-sex relationship featured in a light middle-school romp with clever (if not very deep) parallels to Romeo and Juliet.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(3) YA Artist Danny, on the verge of heading to his dream school, RISD, discovers documents that raise questions about his immigrant parents' history in China. Simultaneously, Danny wrestles with whether to admit romantic feelings for his best friend, Harry. Personal and academic promise intersect with a complicated family past in this perceptive novel.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(3) YA Dylan, in "miracle" remission from cancer, takes an unplanned, anger-fueled road trip away from his negligent mother. On the way, he collects his longtime gaming friend Arden, a trans teen whose father won't accept her identity. Their "quest" is fierce and bittersweet, its resolution open-ended. The dynamics of a friendship moving from online to face-to-face are thoughtfully drawn, as is the almost-romance.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross

(3) YA TV personality/activist Jennings writes openly and (very) honestly about her life as a transgender girl (and what that means). In an upbeat, conversational text, Jennings covers the challenges she faces, her family's unconditional support and advocacy work, and her hopes for the future. A black-and-white photo opens each chapter. The back matter includes an extensive list of resources and annotated lists of websites, books, movies, and TV shows.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(2) YA Ramona "Blue" Leroux stands out in Eulogy, Mississippi: blue hair, six foot three, and a lesbian. Then her childhood friend moves back to town, and Ramona discovers she's attracted to him. Her subsequent refusal to label herself as gay, straight, or bisexual is refreshing. Set against a post–Hurricane Katrina backdrop, the novel also explores issues of race, class, and family.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2017

(3) YA It's love at first sight for Nate and Cameron--until Nate realizes that Cameron's father is the big-time music executive who drove his musician dad to suicide. Soon guitar-player Nate is hiding from the paparazzi and his own feelings despite the pull of Cameron and his music. Told in the teens' alternating points of view, this "Cinderfella" romance gains depth as Nate learns about his father's past.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(3) YA Hidden Heroes series. With the Stonewall riots as its focal point, this volume examines the history of LGBT activism and the evolution of attitudes toward homosexuality. Details of the events at the Stonewall Inn, profiles of individuals who played a significant role, and the impact of the Stonewall riots are relayed in engaging detail and illustrated with moving archival photos. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) YA Jack, an out-and-proud queer seventeen-year-old, receives anonymous love notes from an obsessive admirer, who then blackmails Jack after he starts writing an online teen-sex-advice column. This sex-positive, unapologetic celebration of the gay community strikes a good balance between an intriguing mystery and inspiring, no-holds-barred social commentary about sex education, homophobia, consent, and integrity.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(3) YA Illustrated by Zoë More O'Ferrall. This collection of mini-biographies of queer historical figures, from Roman emperor Elagabalus to contemporary American actor George Takei, is full of personality and written expressly for the digital generation. Introduced with background about queer history around the world, this volume will likely be welcomed by queer teens and anyone who delights in uncovering history not necessarily learned in school. Websites. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Sarah Hannah Gomez

(2) YA Eighteen-year-old transgender woman Amanda goes to live with her previously unsupportive father in Tennessee, where no one knows her from her pre-transition life. She finds unexpected friendships and a blossoming relationship with tender and respectful Grant, who has a complicated past of his own. Amanda's story is neither overly sentimental nor didactic. Russo, herself a trans woman, crafts a thoughtful, truthful coming-of-age tale.

Reviewer: Kazia Berkley-Cramer | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2016

(3) YA The product of a webcomic Kickstarter campaign, this sweet (and swear-filled) graphic novel introduces pie-baking former figure skater Eric Bittle and his bro-filled college hockey team, including handsome, tormented captain Jack. "Bitty" and Jack's tender romance unfolds alongside college shenanigans, vlog asides, and hockey triumphs, all charmingly illustrated in neat panels. Even as the book mines personal dramas, readers never question the characters' essential goodwill.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(3) YA After being the latest tabloid fodder, seventeen-year-old rock-star drummer Emmy King picks herself up with the help of her friends only to face family drama, a controversial coming-out as bisexual, and more trouble in the spotlight. This unashamedly queer romance features a diverse set of characters, including a nonbinary person, and it expertly broaches important topics including gaslighting, addiction, mental health, and abuse.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes