June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Pride Month (LGBTQ+ Pride Month) — celebrated annually to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots, a series of demonstrations by members of the gay community in response to violent police raids during the summer of 1969 at the Stonewall Inn in Manhattan, New York City. The riots are considered to be one of the most important events leading to the gay liberation movement and the twentieth century fight for LGBTQ+ rights in the United States.
Pride Month works to achieve equal justice and equal opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning Americans. Check out these great books that represent the broad spectrum of LGBTQ+ voices in YA literature, and follow the links for each book to learn more from the CA Library catalog!
If an eBook and/or audiobook is available, links are also provided (Sora login is required). You can also explore our LGBTQ+ Pride Month collection in Sora, eBooks and audiobooks available for in Sora Digital Reading app!
Celestial Monsters (Sunbearer Duology, Book 2) by Aiden Thomas — Thomas returns to the beloved world of The Sunbearer Trials in Celestial Monsters, a heart-stopping duology finale, in which three young semidioses travel through a dark monster-infested world, facing down chaotic Obsidian gods, in a quest to save their friends and return the sun to the sky. Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook
“A stunning, action-packed sequel filled with heart and a cast readers will wish to stay with long after they’ve put the book down” (Booklist).
Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White — On the night Miles Abernathy — sixteen-year-old socialist and proud West Virginian — comes out as trans to his parents, he sneaks off to a party, carrying evidence that may finally turn the tide of the blood feud plaguing Twist Creek: photos that prove the county’s Sheriff Davies was responsible for the so-called “accident” that injured his dad, killed others, and crushed their grassroots efforts to unseat him. Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook
“Possibly White’s best novel so far, delivering evocative, haunting prose and eloquently exploring economic injustice, poverty, generational trauma, and how easy it is to sink one’s teeth into violence and revenge as a result” (Booklist).
The Corruption of Hollis Brown by K. Ancrum — Hollis lives in a rotting small town where no one can afford to leave. After unknowingly making a deal at the crossroads, Hollis finds himself losing control of his body and mind, falling victim to possession. Walt, the ghost making a home inside him, has a deep and violent history rooted in the town Hollis grew up in and he has unfinished business to take care of.
“Ancrum’s tight writing style is perfect for this gritty thriller . . . the novel’s rich tenderness for the town, its residents, and their ghosts makes it a must-read” (Kirkus Reviews).
The Dark We Know by Wen-Yi Lee — Growing up in Slater, Isadora Chang never felt at ease in the repressive small town, even before she realized she was bisexual–but after the deaths of two childhood friends, Slater went from feeling claustrophobic to suffocating. So, Isa took off before the town could swallow her, too. Even though it meant leaving everything she knew behind, including her last surviving friend. Get the Audiobook
“Readers will find thrills, chills, and emotional validation from this unexpectedly almost-heartwarming horror novel” (Booklist).
Death At Morning House by Maureen Johnson — The fire wasn’t Marlowe Wexler’s fault. Dates should be hot, but not hot enough to warrant literal firefighters. With her house-sitting career up in flames, it seems the universe owes Marlowe a new summer job, and that’s how she ends up at Morning House, a mansion built on an island in the 1920s and abandoned shortly thereafter. Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook
“A fun, thrilling mystery than spans almost a century, and a must-read for mystery fans” (SLJ).
The Deep Dark by Molly Knox Ostertag — High school senior Magdalena Herrera already has adult responsibilities and a deadly secret hidden in the dark of the basement, one that drains her of energy and leaves her bleeding — until the return of her childhood friend, Nessa, forces her to face her secrets. Get the eBook
“Supported by an eclectic cast of queer characters and touches of folkloric magic, Ostertag’s latest demonstrates once again her ability to build immersive and moving stories of self-acceptance” (Booklist).
Fable For The End of the World by Ava Reid — The Last of Us meets The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in this stand-alone dystopian romance about survival, sacrifice, and love that risks everything. By encouraging massive accumulations of debt from its underclass, a single corporation, Caerus, controls all aspects of society. Unbeknownst to Inesa, their cruel and indolent mother has accrued an enormous debt — enough to qualify one of her children for Caerus’s livestreamed assassination spectacle: the Lamb’s Gauntlet. Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook
“Reid’s tale touches on the dangers of debt and late-stage capitalism, the addiction to screens and technology, and the realities of corporations buying out governments. Suzanne Collins fans, meet your new favorite dystopia” (Booklist).
Flamboyants: The Queer Harlem Renaissance I Wish I’d Known by George M. Johnson — In Flamboyants, author Johnson celebrates writers, performers, and activists from 1920s Black America whose sexualities have been obscured throughout history. Through 14 essays, Johnson reveals how American culture has been shaped by icons who are both Black and Queer – and whose stories deserve to be celebrated in their entirety. Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook
“Johnson’s justified demand for recognition for “the Flamboyants” transforms into accessible, necessary inspiration for new generations” (School Library Journal).
Girlmode by Magdalene Visaggio and Paulina Ganucheau — Recently transitioned and starting a new school, Phoebe is taken under the wing of Mackenzie Ishikawa, the envy of all girls, who shows her the value of being true to herself instead of who everyone expects her to be.
“A standout graphic novel that belongs in every collection for artful storytelling, beautifully expressive imagery, and a heroine who is admirable and fully human” (School Library Journal).
Icarus by K. Ancrum — Perfect for fans of Adam Silvera, this suspenseful YA romance reimagines the tale of Icarus as a star-crossed love story between a young art thief and the son of the man he’s been stealing from. Icarus Gallagher steals priceless art and replaces it with his father’s forgeries. For years, one man — the wealthy Mr. Black — has been their target. To keep their secret, Icarus adheres to his own strict rules — Don’t let anyone close. Don’t let anyone touch you. And, above all, don’t get caught. Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook
“A narrative filled with suspense, romance, and heartbreak with secrets unraveling at a breakneck speed” (Kirkus Reviews).
Libertad by Bessie Flores Zaldivar — A coming-of-age story about a young poet discovering the courage it takes to speak her truth about the people and country she loves. Set during the controversial 2017 Honduran presidential election, seventeen-year-old Libertad finds purpose writing political poetry as she navigates her sexuality and concerns for her activist brother’s safety. Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook
“Readers experience Libertad’s own journey through her first-person narration and creative expression. An author’s note establishes personal connections and fills in history since 2017” (Booklist).
Run Away With Me by Brian Selznick — Danny is spending his sixteenth summer in Rome. As his mother spends the day at work in a mysterious museum, he wanders the ancient sites and streets. Soon after his arrival, he encounters a shadow… who becomes a voice… who becomes a boy his age. Angelo. Get the eBook
“Selznick’s first title for young adults is a mesmerizing ode to poetry, art, and love that stands the test of time” (School Library Journal).
Find even more great LGBTQ+ titles in these previous posts:
