The books listed here are some of the most interesting books for Teens featuring LGBTQ characters since 2006. The stories listed here range from funny, serious, lighthearted, dark, contemporary, historical, for older and younger teens. All of these stories fit in multiple categories, but they deal with family, friends, school, growing-up, love, and other topics. We think you’ll find one you’ll enjoy and can relate to whether you're straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, queer, or however you classify yourself. Click on the titles of the books for a link to WorldCat where you can find the book you're interested in at a library near you, or click on the book cover to see videos and links to book trailers, reviews, and more. When you’re done, if you still can’t find something you like, check out our Symbaloo of resources to find great books with LGBTQ characters!
Dara never knew much about her older sister Rachel, that is until her autobiographical multimedia project on being overweight shames her parents so much they take her out of school. Now Dara is living with Rachel on a goat farm, full of gay and lesbian people, including her sister. If everyone on the farm can accept themselves and the ostracism they faced at home, can’t she? A refreshing and realistic read. Click on the cover to see a news-clip on anorexia and bulimia.
Lili doesn’t keep a diary, she writes letters to John Wayne instead. Even if he’s dead, at least he knew how to act like a hero. Lili seems to be getting on alright, but everyone in her life has issues. Her mom’s new boyfriend is good-for-nothing, her older sister may be being abused by her husband, and her dad, well he may be cross-dressing. Carrie wants to have a relationship with her Dad and start being her own hero. Will she? Click on the cover of the book to see a book review.
Drama! It’s not just the club that sisters Roz and Eva compete in, drama fills their lives. Roz wants Eva’s boyfriend, and Roz thinks that Eva might be a lesbian. So Roz decides to push things by coming out as a lesbian herself, even though she’s more or less straight! The lives of these high school drama students abound with gender bending, especially in their play, As You Like It, but will their own story have a happy ending? Click on the book cover to see a trailer of My Invented Life!
Johnny’s got problems, his dad committed suicide, his mother can’t seem to do anything, and while he tries to keep it all together, Johnny drinks so much he ends up in a hospital. When he goes to live with his uncle, he finds a new girlfriend, Maria. But something is bugging Johnny. He loves the singer Debbie Harry so much he wants to sing and dress like her! Maria is supportive, but is this right for him? Does it mean he’s gay? Johnny struggles with a lot of issues, and this book provides a great chance to struggle along with him. Click on the cover to see a video of Debbie Harry singing!
One Will Grayson has a fabulously gay friend, Tiny Cooper, who isn’t so tiny and who has a new boyfriend and new drama every other week. Another Will Grayson is fed up with life at his stupid school; the only thing he lives for is a boy that he talks to on the Internet. Amazingly, Will Grayson meets Will Grayson and they both become starring players in Tiny Cooper’s dramatic life. Funny and inspiring, a must read. Click on the cover of Will Grayson, Will Grayson to see a book trailer!
Lost and confused, Cass is struggling to figure out her life after the loss of her best friend, Julia. She’s promised to help Julia’s boyfriend to stage Julia’s secret play, Totally Sweet Ninja Death Squad, but cast members poke and prod at Cass’ close relationship with Julia, and imply that Cass may have felt something more than friendship for Julia. Cass will bike across the country with Julia’s ashes, see the play to completion, and figure things out. A touching and well-written story. Click on the cover to see a book trailer of A Love Story Starring My Dead Best Friend!
Carl, Sylvie’s neighbor, has become distant lately, spending more and more time with his new friend Paul. Sylvie always thought that she would date and eventually marry Carl. Carl has other plans, but if Carl reveals his heart to Paul, will it all end happily? Will Sylvie still be his friend? Click on the cover of the book to see a book trailer of Kiss.
Skim’s guidance counselors think she’s depressed because she dresses goth and practices Wicca. Skim isn’t interested in singing “Oh Happy Day,” or participating in the Girl’s celebrate life club. The only thing that’s interesting about school is her English teacher, Ms. Archer. And maybe Katie, a girl whose boyfriend killed himself because he was (maybe) gay. Told in a graphic novel format, Jilllian Tamaki’s art is almost classically Japanese. Click on the cover of Skim to see a short video about the Toronto Comics Art Festival and comics in libraries.
Very loves her life at Columbia University and why not? She has boy/girlfriends galore, throws the best parties, and even though she’s only a Freshman, is already super famous for her on-campus social-networking website. Very is always updating her site, downloading new tunes, and chatting with her Internet crush. That is, until her friend and teachers get concerned that Very doesn't even notice her life is falling apart around her and send her to a recovery program for Internet addicts. What’s life without technology? If you’re plugged in, download this book to your e-reader. Click on the cover to see a trailer!
Ever seen Queer Eye for the Straight Guy? Then you’ll get the plot of Getting It. Carlos wants to hook up with Roxy, but he just doesn’t get girls and decides to ask his gay classmate, Sal, to help. But in exchange, Sal wants Carlos to help him form a Gay-Straight Alliance at his school. Carlos agrees but wonders what his friends and family will think about him for it. Homophobia is everywhere in his mostly Hispanic Texas school. Will a Gay-Straight Alliance work? Click on the book cover to be linked to Alex Sanchez’s website!
Billy Bloom isn’t afraid to let his freak flag fly, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to go over well at straight-laced Eisenhower Academy. Billy is going to have to deal with a lot of taunts while wearing sequins and feathers on his path to becoming homecoming queen. This is a book for anyone who's ever felt like they had a big, red letter “F” for FREAK on their chest. Click on the cover to see a book trailer for Freak Show.
Laura gets outed in a very embarrassing way when teacher in her all-girl Catholic school reads out loud a note from her girlfriend! When her mother finds out, she gets kicked out of her home. Then her girlfriend marries a man to escape her family’s wrath. Now Laura is single and living with her friends, trying to find her place in the world and figure out what makes Laura, Laura. Click on the cover for a book trailer of Down to the Bone.
J wants to grow up to be a man. The problem is that J was born Jennifer, and his parents just don’t seem to get that Jennifer may be a girl on the outside, but he’s a boy on the inside. This book is about the struggle for acceptance within and without. It will take you on J’s personal growing-up journey. Click on the cover of the book so see a book trailer for I am J.
If you’ve ever had a bad boyfriend, then you can relate to Dade. Dade’s boyfriend Pablo treats him like crap. It’s like he thinks Dade is gay, but somehow he himself is not. Dade’s neighbor Jenny thinks Dade’s a worthwhile human being and is determined to make Dade think so too. Maybe Dade has a chance with new guy Alex? This book has emotional ups and downs which make for a real page-turner! Click on the cover of the book to see a book review of The Vast Fields of Ordinary by high school students!
Jamie wants to be a normal guy, but normal guys are attracted to smart, beautiful, rich girls like Celia, not other guys. Fortunately(?) for Jamie, Celia wants to dates him, and her father just happens to be working on a new drug to cure homosexuality. Jamie begins sneaking these new untested pills in effort to cure himself. But all drugs have side effects. Are they worth it? Click on the cover to see a book trailer of Love Drugged.
What’s your name? Are you sure? Can you prove it? Louisa has been placed in Wildthorn Insane Asylum, and told that her real name is Lucy Childs. Louisa wanted to grow-up to be a doctor, the way her father was training her to be, but now that he’s dead she’s somehow wound up here. A kind, young chambermaid with whom Louisa develops a friendship(or more?) might help her escape. But where does a girl escape to in Victorian England? Great read for fans of mysteries and period dramas. Also recommended for Sarah Waters fans. Click on the cover of Wildthorn to see a book review!
Logan falls for the new girl in his small-town high school, Sage. As their friendship grows, Sage decides to confide that she was born a he. Logan doesn’t believe he’s gay but he continues to be attracted to Sage and can’t make up his mind. Logan is a character who is easy to relate to and it’s easy to see the homophobia and transphobia that surround Logan and Sage. Click on the cover to see a book review of Almost Perfect.
This story will sound familiar. A girl orphaned and living with her stepfamily goes to a ball with the help of fairies and attracts the handsome prince. This time though, Ash meets someone she likes better than Prince Charming at the castle, a strong and beautiful huntress. Ash and her huntress, Kaisa, develop a relationship over time. Will this fairy tale end happily? Click on the cover to see a book trailer for Ash.
If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. Amelia’s always been adventurous, so when she finds out she can’t sell newspapers in her new hometown of San Francisco with the same respect the boys do, she decides to cut her hair and dress like a boy. On one of her outings, she and a friend step into the basket of a hot air balloon, which accidentally sets off into the air! When Amelia gets home, she’ll have one great news story to tell. Great for those who love real history interwoven with their stories. Click on the cover to see a first-person point-of-view of a hot air balloon ride!
Dennis likes soccer and dresses. Even though his dad and his older brother probably wouldn’t approve, he buys Vogue to look at all the fashionable pictures. With the convincing of his older and cute classmate Lisa, he’ll also put on a dress and head out on the town. If he’s comfortable wearing a dress and wig, will everyone else be? Illustrations by Quentin Blake make for a great addition to this book! Click on the cover of The Boy in the Dress to see an interview with David Walliams the author!
20 Great LGBTQ Books for Teens Since 2006
The books listed here are some of the most interesting books for Teens featuring LGBTQ characters since 2006. The stories listed here range from funny, serious, lighthearted, dark, contemporary, historical, for older and younger teens. All of these stories fit in multiple categories, but they deal with family, friends, school, growing-up, love, and other topics. We think you’ll find one you’ll enjoy and can relate to whether you're straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, queer, or however you classify yourself. Click on the titles of the books for a link to WorldCat where you can find the book you're interested in at a library near you, or click on the book cover to see videos and links to book trailers, reviews, and more. When you’re done, if you still can’t find something you like, check out our Symbaloo of resources to find great books with LGBTQ characters!
All in the Family
Dara never knew much about her older sister Rachel, that is until her autobiographical multimedia project on being overweight shames her parents so much they take her out of school. Now Dara is living with Rachel on a goat farm, full of gay and lesbian people, including her sister. If everyone on the farm can accept themselves and the ostracism they faced at home, can’t she? A refreshing and realistic read. Click on the cover to see a news-clip on anorexia and bulimia.
Lili doesn’t keep a diary, she writes letters to John Wayne instead. Even if he’s dead, at least he knew how to act like a hero. Lili seems to be getting on alright, but everyone in her life has issues. Her mom’s new boyfriend is good-for-nothing, her older sister may be being abused by her husband, and her dad, well he may be cross-dressing. Carrie wants to have a relationship with her Dad and start being her own hero. Will she? Click on the cover of the book to see a book review.
Drama! It’s not just the club that sisters Roz and Eva compete in, drama fills their lives. Roz wants Eva’s boyfriend, and Roz thinks that Eva might be a lesbian. So Roz decides to push things by coming out as a lesbian herself, even though she’s more or less straight! The lives of these high school drama students abound with gender bending, especially in their play, As You Like It, but will their own story have a happy ending? Click on the book cover to see a trailer of My Invented Life!
Johnny’s got problems, his dad committed suicide, his mother can’t seem to do anything, and while he tries to keep it all together, Johnny drinks so much he ends up in a hospital. When he goes to live with his uncle, he finds a new girlfriend, Maria. But something is bugging Johnny. He loves the singer Debbie Harry so much he wants to sing and dress like her! Maria is supportive, but is this right for him? Does it mean he’s gay? Johnny struggles with a lot of issues, and this book provides a great chance to struggle along with him. Click on the cover to see a video of Debbie Harry singing!
Keep Your Friends Close
One Will Grayson has a fabulously gay friend, Tiny Cooper, who isn’t so tiny and who has a new boyfriend and new drama every other week. Another Will Grayson is fed up with life at his stupid school; the only thing he lives for is a boy that he talks to on the Internet. Amazingly, Will Grayson meets Will Grayson and they both become starring players in Tiny Cooper’s dramatic life. Funny and inspiring, a must read. Click on the cover of Will Grayson, Will Grayson to see a book trailer!
Lost and confused, Cass is struggling to figure out her life after the loss of her best friend, Julia. She’s promised to help Julia’s boyfriend to stage Julia’s secret play, Totally Sweet Ninja Death Squad, but cast members poke and prod at Cass’ close relationship with Julia, and imply that Cass may have felt something more than friendship for Julia. Cass will bike across the country with Julia’s ashes, see the play to completion, and figure things out. A touching and well-written story. Click on the cover to see a book trailer of A Love Story Starring My Dead Best Friend!
Carl, Sylvie’s neighbor, has become distant lately, spending more and more time with his new friend Paul. Sylvie always thought that she would date and eventually marry Carl. Carl has other plans, but if Carl reveals his heart to Paul, will it all end happily? Will Sylvie still be his friend? Click on the cover of the book to see a book trailer of Kiss.
School Sucks
Skim’s guidance counselors think she’s depressed because she dresses goth and practices Wicca. Skim isn’t interested in singing “Oh Happy Day,” or participating in the Girl’s celebrate life club. The only thing that’s interesting about school is her English teacher, Ms. Archer. And maybe Katie, a girl whose boyfriend killed himself because he was (maybe) gay. Told in a graphic novel format, Jilllian Tamaki’s art is almost classically Japanese. Click on the cover of Skim to see a short video about the Toronto Comics Art Festival and comics in libraries.
Very loves her life at Columbia University and why not? She has boy/girlfriends galore, throws the best parties, and even though she’s only a Freshman, is already super famous for her on-campus social-networking website. Very is always updating her site, downloading new tunes, and chatting with her Internet crush. That is, until her friend and teachers get concerned that Very doesn't even notice her life is falling apart around her and send her to a recovery program for Internet addicts. What’s life without technology? If you’re plugged in, download this book to your e-reader. Click on the cover to see a trailer!
Ever seen Queer Eye for the Straight Guy? Then you’ll get the plot of Getting It. Carlos wants to hook up with Roxy, but he just doesn’t get girls and decides to ask his gay classmate, Sal, to help. But in exchange, Sal wants Carlos to help him form a Gay-Straight Alliance at his school. Carlos agrees but wonders what his friends and family will think about him for it. Homophobia is everywhere in his mostly Hispanic Texas school. Will a Gay-Straight Alliance work? Click on the book cover to be linked to Alex Sanchez’s website!
Billy Bloom isn’t afraid to let his freak flag fly, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to go over well at straight-laced Eisenhower Academy. Billy is going to have to deal with a lot of taunts while wearing sequins and feathers on his path to becoming homecoming queen. This is a book for anyone who's ever felt like they had a big, red letter “F” for FREAK on their chest. Click on the cover to see a book trailer for Freak Show.
Growing Up and Getting On
Laura gets outed in a very embarrassing way when teacher in her all-girl Catholic school reads out loud a note from her girlfriend! When her mother finds out, she gets kicked out of her home. Then her girlfriend marries a man to escape her family’s wrath. Now Laura is single and living with her friends, trying to find her place in the world and figure out what makes Laura, Laura. Click on the cover for a book trailer of Down to the Bone.
J wants to grow up to be a man. The problem is that J was born Jennifer, and his parents just don’t seem to get that Jennifer may be a girl on the outside, but he’s a boy on the inside. This book is about the struggle for acceptance within and without. It will take you on J’s personal growing-up journey. Click on the cover of the book so see a book trailer for I am J.
And You Thought Your Love Life Was Difficult
If you’ve ever had a bad boyfriend, then you can relate to Dade. Dade’s boyfriend Pablo treats him like crap. It’s like he thinks Dade is gay, but somehow he himself is not. Dade’s neighbor Jenny thinks Dade’s a worthwhile human being and is determined to make Dade think so too. Maybe Dade has a chance with new guy Alex? This book has emotional ups and downs which make for a real page-turner! Click on the cover of the book to see a book review of The Vast Fields of Ordinary by high school students!
Jamie wants to be a normal guy, but normal guys are attracted to smart, beautiful, rich girls like Celia, not other guys. Fortunately(?) for Jamie, Celia wants to dates him, and her father just happens to be working on a new drug to cure homosexuality. Jamie begins sneaking these new untested pills in effort to cure himself. But all drugs have side effects. Are they worth it? Click on the cover to see a book trailer of Love Drugged.
What’s your name? Are you sure? Can you prove it? Louisa has been placed in Wildthorn Insane Asylum, and told that her real name is Lucy Childs. Louisa wanted to grow-up to be a doctor, the way her father was training her to be, but now that he’s dead she’s somehow wound up here. A kind, young chambermaid with whom Louisa develops a friendship(or more?) might help her escape. But where does a girl escape to in Victorian England? Great read for fans of mysteries and period dramas. Also recommended for Sarah Waters fans. Click on the cover of Wildthorn to see a book review!
Logan falls for the new girl in his small-town high school, Sage. As their friendship grows, Sage decides to confide that she was born a he. Logan doesn’t believe he’s gay but he continues to be attracted to Sage and can’t make up his mind. Logan is a character who is easy to relate to and it’s easy to see the homophobia and transphobia that surround Logan and Sage. Click on the cover to see a book review of Almost Perfect.
Other Great Reads
This story will sound familiar. A girl orphaned and living with her stepfamily goes to a ball with the help of fairies and attracts the handsome prince. This time though, Ash meets someone she likes better than Prince Charming at the castle, a strong and beautiful huntress. Ash and her huntress, Kaisa, develop a relationship over time. Will this fairy tale end happily? Click on the cover to see a book trailer for Ash.
If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. Amelia’s always been adventurous, so when she finds out she can’t sell newspapers in her new hometown of San Francisco with the same respect the boys do, she decides to cut her hair and dress like a boy. On one of her outings, she and a friend step into the basket of a hot air balloon, which accidentally sets off into the air! When Amelia gets home, she’ll have one great news story to tell. Great for those who love real history interwoven with their stories. Click on the cover to see a first-person point-of-view of a hot air balloon ride!
Dennis likes soccer and dresses. Even though his dad and his older brother probably wouldn’t approve, he buys Vogue to look at all the fashionable pictures. With the convincing of his older and cute classmate Lisa, he’ll also put on a dress and head out on the town. If he’s comfortable wearing a dress and wig, will everyone else be? Illustrations by Quentin Blake make for a great addition to this book! Click on the cover of The Boy in the Dress to see an interview with David Walliams the author!