Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo: Camino and Yahaira are half-sisters, but neither
has any idea the other exists until a plane crashes, taking their shared father with it. Camino,
who lives in the Dominican Republic, was used to rarely seeing her father, while Yahaira, a
lesbian who lives in New York City, knew her father took a lot of business trips. Finally meeting
means piecing together his life of lies, but it also means finding someone who understands
exactly what they're going through, and maybe that's exactly what they each need to help them
get through it.
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green: Two teens, one gay and one straight, meet
accidentally and discover that they share the same name. The boys are complete opposites, but
their lives become intertwined as one begins dating the other's best friend. The book is told from
both characters’ point of view in alternating chapters.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz:
Fifteen-year-old Aristotle (Ari) has always felt lonely and distant from people until he meets
Dante , a boy from another school who teaches him how to swim. Ari’s world opens up while
they discuss life, art, literature, and their Mexican-American roots. Additionally, the influence of
Dante ’s warm, open family is shaping Ari’s relationship with his parents, particularly in regard to
a family secret; Ari has an older brother in prison, who no one ever mentions. The story swells
to a dramatic climax as Ari’s loyalties are tested, and he confronts his most deeply buried fears
and desires.
Carry On by Rainbow Rowell: It’s Simon Snow’s last year at the Watford School of Magicks,
and it’s not going as planned. His magic, always unstable, has been even more unpredictable,
which is bad news with the magical world’s most infamous bad guy after him. His girlfriend is
distant, and he’s afraid he’ll lose touch with his best friend after graduation. But most unsettling
of all, Simon’s frustrating, evil, pretty-sure-he’s-a-vampire nemesis/roommate hasn’t come back
to school. Baz is probably just off plotting somewhere, but what if he’s really in trouble? And why
does Simon care so much, anyway?
The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar Bengali: Irish teen Nishat can be anything she wants to
be—anything except a lesbian, that is. Her parents think she can simply "choose" to be straight.
Nishat's childhood friend Flávia, a Brazilian Irish girl comes back into her life, and she instantly
has a crush on her. Nishat needs to figure out if her all-consuming feelings are worth defying her
parents over.
The Gravity of Us by Phil Stamper: Cal is a Brooklyn teen and a social media phenomenon.
When his passenger-pilot father gets the call from NASA to join a Mars probe program, Cal and
his mother, who suffers from severe anxiety, have to move with him to Houston. Cal develops a
crush on new neighbor Leon, who is battling depression. The boys fall in love but their parents
are both competing for the same spot in NASA’s mission.
Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron: It’s 200 years after Cinderella found her prince, but the
fairy tale is over. Teen girls are now required to appear at the Annual Ball, where the men of the
kingdom select wives based on a girl’s display of finery. If a suitable match is not found, the girls
not chosen are never heard from again. Sixteen-year-old Sophia would much rather marry Erin,
her childhood best friend, than parade in front of suitors. At the ball, Sophia makes the
desperate decision to flee, and finds herself hiding in Cinderella’s mausoleum. There, she
meets Constance, the last known descendant of Cinderella and her stepsisters. Together they
vow to bring down the king once and for all–and in the process, they learn that there’s more to
Cinderella’s story than they ever knew.
If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo: After surviving a brutal attack, Amanda moves from
Georgia to Tennessee for the new school year. She plans to stay focused and get through
senior year, but kind, attractive Grant causes a distraction that wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for
her deepest secret. Amanda is transgender and no one in her new school knows. Amanda
struggles to live the life of a “normal” teen. The story goes back and forth between present day
and the past before Amanda moved.
The Great American Whatever by Tim Federle: Sixteen-year-old Quinn Roberts is hiding from
the world because her sister died in a car crash six months ago. Quinn is ready to give up his
dreams of writing screenplays. Quinn’s best friend Geoff insists it’s time for Quinn to go out and
have some fun. Geoff drags Quinn to his first college party, where instead of nursing his pain, he
meets a good looking guy that he’s interested in. Quinn starts imagining a life where he’s a
screenplay writer and living a happy life once again.
The Black Flamingo by Dean Alta: Michael always knew that he was different in more ways
than one. He would compare himself to the black flamingo of Cyprus. He was anatomically the
same, but a standout amongst his flock. When he comes out during high school with
uncertainties about what exactly his sexual preferences are, he’s faced with a lot of big
questions related to his family, friends, and ultimately who he wants to be in the world as he
prepares to take off to university.
Previously I wrote another post about this topic: 6 LGTBQ Books You Should Add to Your Classroom Library. Both lists of books are good for secondary students. If you have any YA book recommendations let me know.
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