Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier just wants to get through junior year without any trouble. But when a personal email falls into the wrong hands, Simon risks having his sexual identity—and secret online relationship with an anonymous boy—revealed to his peers. Perfect for high school readers, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda dives into teenage life and LGBTQ+ issues in a humorous, inclusive, and relatable way.

Last Night at the Telegraph Club

Set in San Francisco’s Chinatown at the height of the Red Scare, this National Book Award winner offers a powerful exploration of identity. Despite acting like the perfect Chinese daughter and all-American teenager, Lily Hu struggles with understanding her feelings towards women. But everything becomes clear when she and her friend Kath Miller visit a lesbian bar called the Telegraph Club. Between her secret relationship with Kath and the threat of deportation looming over her family, Lily must decide whether to hide her true self or stand up against prejudice and fear.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Aristotle and Dante are two vastly different Latino boys who randomly meet at a public pool, but this chance encounter changes their lives in ways neither of them could have predicted. This young adult novel effortlessly captures the feelings and fears of being a teenager, thanks to its deep themes on identity, sexuality, friendship, and family.

I’ll Give You the Sun

In this School Library Journal and Stonewall Honor Book for exceptional LGBT literature for teens, twins Jude and Noah are inseparable. Both are budding artists who, with their mother’s encouragement, aspire to attend a prestigious art school. But in the span of three years, the two are barely speaking, a devastating event having torn them apart. As they follow the narrative from each twin’s point of view, readers will slowly discover the truth behind the circumstances that forever altered the twins’ lives. Sexual content makes this book better suited for mature readers.

Pet

A Stonewall Book Award winner, Pet is a genre-defying novel that deftly tackles themes of identity and justice. There are no monsters in the utopian city of Lucille. Jam, a transgender girl, and her friend Redemption have grown up with that lesson. But when Jam meets a ghastly creature named Pet, she must reconsider what she's been taught. Pet has come to hunt a true monster—and something grim lurks in Redemption's house. Jam must fight not only to protect her friend, but also to find the answer to the question: How do you save the world from monsters if everyone denies they exist?

How It Feels to Float

This poignant young adult novel explores the impact of mental illness and grief through the eyes of teenager Biz. Although she has friends and family by her side, Biz feels as if she is floating through life. She finds comfort in speaking with a vision of her father, who died when she was six. But after an incident at a beach party, Biz’s world begins to unravel, sending her into a dark spiral of depression. With themes relating to suicide, trauma, and sexuality, this book is more appropriate for older readers.

They Both Die at the End

One night in September, Rufus Emeterio and Mateo Torrez each receive a phone call from Death-Cast, a company that is able to predict one’s death, informing them that they have 24 hours left to live. Rufus and Mateo are total strangers, but after connecting on an app called Last Friend, they meet up to do the impossible: to live a lifetime in a single day. Though the title reveals the story’s conclusion, readers will undoubtedly follow Rufus and Mateo to the end. Named one of Book Riot’s Best Queer Books of 2017, They Both Die at the End tackles heavy subjects like loss, love, acceptance, and the meaning of life.

Will Grayson, Will Grayson

A unique opportunity to explore the concept of a writer’s style and voice, Will Grayson, Will Grayson tells the story of two different boys, living very different lives, who share the name “Will Grayson.” Each boy’s story is told by a different author—John Green and David Levithan. While the book has been very well received by students, note that it does contain vulgarity and discussions of a character’s sexuality.

The Great American Whatever

Sixteen-year-old Quinn aspires to be a Hollywood screenwriter, but after his sister, Annabeth, dies in a car accident, he sinks into depression. At the urging of his friend Geoff, Quinn attends a party where he meets Amir, a charming college student. Enamored by Amir, Quinn begins to reemerge from his shell. But sooner or later, Quinn must confront his difficult feelings about his sister’s passing, his relationship with Amir, and his place in the world. With some sexual language, vulgarity, and references to substance use, The Great American Whatever is best suited for older readers.

We Are the Ants

What would you do if you knew the world was ending, and you had the chance to stop it? Would you? This decision comes down to Henry Denton, whose life is in shambles. He's bullied at school, his mom is a struggling waitress, his grandmother has Alzheimer's, and his boyfriend died last year. Frankly, Henry isn't sure he wants to stop the world from ending. In We Are the Ants, author Shaun David Hutchinson explores the wonders of growing up in a scary and oftentimes uncaring world, and teen readers will appreciate the book's unflinchingly honest and sarcastic main character.

We Are Okay

For powerful lessons on character study and a thoughtful look into the effects of depression, consider teaching We Are Okay. After her grandfather’s death, Marin found herself struggling with the suffocating feelings of loneliness and grief that came with his passing. To escape her pain, Marin moved across the country, away from everything and everyone she once loved. Now, four months later, Marin’s estranged best friend, Mabel, is coming to visit. Will seeing Mabel again give Marin the strength to confront her darkest feelings?

Every Day

The premise of David Levithan’s bestselling novel is simple: Each day, a spirit named "A" wakes up in someone else’s body. A is content passing from life to life, until they meet a girl named Rhiannon while occupying her boyfriend’s body. Both humorous and thoughtful, this modern love story will keep students pondering the complexities of life and relationships long after they’ve finished reading.