June is pride month, and with this, we wanted to present a collection of LGBTQ+ books for any preteen/ adolescent/ human who might be interested in this genre!
LGBTQ literature explores LGBTQ+ experiences, history, relationships, and more. Queer literature can be a great way to challenge readers to consider ideas and concepts that push beyond traditional definitions of identity, gender, sexuality, and expression.
Queer literature has expanded greatly in the last decade, so there are many options when it comes down to finding interesting works within this genre. I have broken down a few recommendations by suggested age groups below.
They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera: Pre-Teen Age: This book would be a great read for students in middle school and up! The reading level is comprehensive and can be enjoyed by a variety of different reading levels.
- What would you do if you found you only have one day left to live? This book dives into the lives of two teenage boys who experience just that. This young adult novel explores many themes such as mortality, the value of human connection, and friendship/
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller: Pre-Teen/ Young Adult:This book is a bit more suited for early high school ages and up. The story itself is a retelling of popular Greek mythology, which is typically taught in tenth grade. A little background might be helpful for this read!
- This novel is a romantic adaptation and a retelling of the Trojan War told from the perspective of Patroclus. This follows his relationship with Achilles. The writing style alone is sure to attract any reader, and the exploration of individual self and love between these two characters is palpable. In this story, Miller writes, “We were like gods, at the dawning of the world, and our joy was so bright we could see nothing else but the other.” I highly recommend this retelling of the popular Greek myth.
All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson: Young Adult:This book is better suited for older high school readers! The book has been a highly debated publication due to the trigger warnings and content, and thus might appeal to a more mature audience.
- This nonfiction book, also referred to as a “Memoir-Manifesto,” follows the author’s story of growing up as a black, queer man in New Jersey and Virginia. This book is not for the faint of heart, so there is a content warning to let potential readers know this might not be suitable for all young adults. Johnson’s novel, which reads as a series of essays, has become a highly contested novel among schools. According to Wikipedia, “American Library Association’s Office of Intellectual Freedom named it the third most banned and challenged book in the United States of the year; it was the second most challenged book in 2022 and 2023.” This book covers a variety of topics, and when Johnson was questioned about why he wrote it, he stated that he was influenced by Toni Morrison’s quote, “”If there’s a book you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” Johnson did just that, and this book serves as a testament to creating a novel for others who might identify the same, or similarly, to Johnson.
Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg: Adult: This book is great for any college students and up! This is a popular novel in the LGBTQ+ literature discord for many professors to use within an academic space. There are trigger warnings to this novel, so it is better suited for an older audience.
- This novel is an autobiographical piece that details the author’s experience growing up queer in Buffalo, NY in the 1940s. This story takes readers through a personal and historical journey of discrimination and injustice that the queer community experienced during this time. Laura Sackton, of Book Riot, describes this book as “the kind of queer, trans narrative we badly need: honest, freeing, and vital.” This story has received many accolades, and for good reason! It is a shockingly honest and brave tale of an individual’s personal journey, and the impact they have made on the LGBTQ+ community today.
Whether you are reading for yourself or looking to find recommendations for someone in your life, the above titles are just a few suggestions out of the many that can be found when looking to read queer literature.
Here are some other resources to help you find even more recommendations in case any of the above books don’t quite sound like something you might be interested in right now:
While June is dedicated as the month to celebrate pride, reading queer literature, and understanding the impact some of these authors have had on the LGBTQ+ community, can be a year-round celebration! Pick up your book today 😊
By: Emma Dahlsten
Emma is an Editorial Assistant at Technica Editorial
