Books

YA Novels With Lesbian and Bisexual Characters

Lesbian-Themed YA Novels for Youth and Adults Alike This is by no means a complete list of every YA novel for lesbian and bi girls, but it’s the longest list we have available on the site. Please comment with your suggestions and we will continue to update this database. Happy Endings Are All Alike, Sandra Scoppettone (1978) “Part mystery thriller, part love story,” in-love teens Peggy and Jaret are caught in a hate crime plot. Recently brought back into print by Lizzie Skurnick Books. Hey, Dollface, Deborah Hautzig (1978) Val and Chloe become close friends at prep school, and soon begin to wonder if they’re more than that. Annie on My Mind, Nancy Garden (1982) After meeting at the Met, Nancy and Liza explore New York City together and their relationship grows. But they have to deal with the fallout when their romance is discovered. Am I Blue? Coming Out From the Silence, edited by Marion Dane Bauer (1994) The first collection of short stories by prominent YA authors specifically for and about queer kids. Winner of a Stonewall and Lambda Award. Good Moon Rising, Nancy Garden (1996) Kerry and Janna fall in love while rehearsing a school play, and fight back against the homophobia they face. Dare Truth or Promise, Paula Boock (1997) When confident Louie and troubled Willa meet during their senior year of high school, all of their ideas about their futures and who they are change. Winner of the New Zealand Post’s Children’s Books of the Year. Kissing the Witch, Emma Donoghue (1997) Thirteen re-told fairy tales are woven together in a magically gay way. The Necessary Hunger, Nina Revoyr (1997) Nancy and Raina are two basketball stars whose lives will soon be colliding in more ways than one, “set against a backdrop of racial tension between the Asian American and African American communities of Los Angeles.” The House You Pass On the Way, Jacqueline Woodson (1997) Loner Staggerlee finally finds a friend when her cousin Trout comes to visit. But is Trout who Staggerlee thinks she is? Girl Walking Backwards, Bett Williams (1998) Skye falls in love with the “gothic punk” Jessica, but then discovers her boyfriend having sex with Jessica at a rave. Skye clearly has a lot to figure out. The Year They Burned the Books, Nancy Garden (1999) Jamie Crawford has not only written an op-ed in her school newspaper about making condoms available to high schoolers, she’s also coming out as a lesbian. Oh, Jamie, Jamie, Jamie. Empress of the World, Sara Ryan (2001) Nicola falls for Battle during a summer camp for the young and brilliant. Winner of the Oregon Book Award for Young Adults. Keeping You a Secret, Julie Anne Peters (2003) Holland is on an Ivy League track, president of Student Council, and in control of her world–until she meets Cece. Kissing Kate, Lauren Myracle (2003) Kate drunkenly kisses her best friend Lissa at a party and is left questioning everything, but with the help of a new friend learns that “sometimes falling in love with the wrong person is the only way to find your footing.” Gravel Queen, Tea Benduhn (2003) Aurin has to deal with the jealousy of her best friend, Kenney, after realizing that she’s falling in love with the new member of their friend circle, Neila. Girl From Mars, Tamara Bach (2003) Miriam is bored, bored, bored with her small town high school life, until Laura shows up. Winner of the German Youth Literature Prize. Becoming Bobbie, R.J. Stevens (2003) Bobbie loves rock and roll and working on cars with her dad. When her family life gets rough, she takes solace in her new English teacher, Agatha, and begins to learn more about who Bobbie really is. The Bermudez Triangle, Maureen Johnson (2004) Nina, Avery, and Mel have been friends forever. But everything changes when Nina sees Avery and Mel kissing. Country Girl, City Girl, Lisa Jahn-Clough (2004) Melita and Phoebe are as different as can be. But as summer progresses, their relationship becomes deeper than either of them imagined. Orphea Proud, Sharon Dennis Wyeth (2004) Orphea is a slam poet who’s about to lay down some lines about sexuality, family, and prejudice. Sugar Rush, Julie Burchill (2004) Kim has suddenly swapped her good girl, private school past for an exciting, late-night-parties relationship with Maria, AKA Sugar. Later made into a British TV series. Far From Xanadu [reprinted as Pretend You Love Me], Julie Anne Peters (2005) Mike (technically Mary Elizabeth) has fallen in love with beautiful new girl Xanadu. Only problem: Xanadu is straight. Rose of No Man’s Land, Michelle Tea (2005) When angsty, gender-blurring Trisha meets chain-smoking Rose at her job at the mall, “her life shifts into manic overdrive.” Pretty Little Liars, Sara Shepard (Series, Starting 2006) I feel this doesn’t need any explanation on this site. Tripping to Somewhere, Kristopher Reisz (2006) Two girls leave everything behind to follow an elusive dream: The Witches’ Carnival. Crush, Carrie Mac (2006) Sent to live with her hipster sister in New York City for the summer, Hope adjusts to new surroundings and new feelings when she meets Nat. The Full Spectrum, edited by David Levithan & Billy Merrell (2006) A collection of short stories actually written by gay youth themselves. Hello, Groin, Beth Goobie (2006) Dylan’s high school life is going just fine, until she’s assigned to read a book that makes her face her biggest fear. grl2grl, Julie Anne Peters (2007) A collection of short stories, some rather sweet, some rather sexy. The Rules for Hearts, Sara Ryan (2007) A companion to The Empress of the World, this book continues the story of Battle Hall Davies, who’s ready to take on Reed College in the fall. But first, her estranged brother finds her, and she spends the summer learning more about him and about herself. Down to the Bone, Mayra Lazara Dole (2008) Laura is a tortillera–a girl who likes girls in her Cuban-American community in Miami. When her relationship with Marlena is outed, she’s kicked out of her Catholic school, and Marlena returns to Puerto Rico to marry a dude. Love & Lies: Marisol’s Story, Ellen Wittlinger (2008) Marisol’s taken a year off of college to accomplish two things: writing a novel and falling in love. But as she attempts to pursue both goals, things start to get off track. Companion to Wittlinger’s 2001 Hard Love [which also features Marisol, but is told through the point of view of a straight male friend who has the misfortune of falling in love with her]. M+O 4evr, Tonya Cherie Hegamin (2008) Opal is left reeling after the death of Marianne, whom she has always loved, but is helped by the story of a runaway slave. Gravity, Leanne Lieberman (2008) Ellie’s orthodox Jewish upbringing is challenged when she realizes that she’s fallen in love with a girl, and she wonders if she will have to change who she is or leave her faith. Skim, Mariko and Jillian Tamaki (2008) A graphic novel about a sensitive, depressed girl who falls in love with her teacher. Gone, Michael Grant (Series, Starting 2008) In the best-selling dystopian sci-fi series where all the adults have disappeared, one of the main characters is a powerful black lesbian. How Beautiful the Ordinary, edited by Michael Cart (2008) A collection of short stories with entries from favorite lesbian authors Julie Anne Peters, Ariel Schrag, and Francesca Lia Block. Ash, Malinda Lo (2009) A lesbian retelling of Cinderella, Ash is at the mercy of her cruel stepmother and is comforted by the fairies in her dreams. But when she meets Kaisa, the King’s huntress, everything begins to change. Rage: A Love Story, Julie Anne Peters (2009) Johanna has a lot to deal with: the recent death of her parents, and her all-consuming, abusive relationship with her girlfriend, Reeve. Wildthorn, Jane Eagland (2009) Louisa is a Victorian doctor’s daughter whose life takes a dark turn when she’s imprisoned in Wildthorn Hall, and she works to understand why she was sent there. Winner of a Lambda Award. My Invented Life, Lauren Bjorkman (2009) Roz and Eva are close sisters, until one day Eva starts to pull away and Roz asks her Ouija board a question: “Is Eva a lesbian?” Hijinks follow on the road to the truth. Scars, Cheryl Rainfield (2010) The main story here clearly isn’t a lesbian love interest, although that is present, but the scars left by cutting, which Kendra does as a way to deal with the childhood abuse that haunts her. About a Girl, Joanne Horniman (2010) “Anna is afraid she must be unlovable-until she meets Flynn.” But after Anna and Flynn spend every moment together, secrets threaten to tear them apart. A Love Story Starring My Dead Best Friend, Emily Horner (2010) Cass deals with the death of her best friend in two different ways: a cross-country solo bike trip, and working on bringing her best friend’s dream musical, Totally Sweet Ninja Death Squad, to fruition. Important discoveries are made in both adventures. Huntress, Malindo Lo (2011) A prequel to Ash, Huntress tells the story of two teenage girls, one magical and one not, on a mission to save their kingdom. Beauty Queens, Libba Bray (2011) Contestants en route to the Miss Teen Dream Pageant get stranded on a tropical island, and must learn to live with one another and their differences. The diversity among the contestants includes a lesbian, a trans girl, and a bisexual girl. Boyfriends With Girlfriends, Alex Sanchez (2011) While Lance falls in love with the bisexual Sergio, his best friend, Allie, realizes she has feelings of her own for Sergio’s friend Kimiko. Sister Mischief, Laura Goode (2011) Esme Rocket is an MC in the best almost-all-white hip hop girl group in suburban Minnesota. In reaction to both homophobia and anti-rap rules at their school, Sister Mischief create a new school group: Hip-Hop for Heteros and Homos. She Loves You, She Loves You Not…, Julie Anne Peters (2011) Sent across the country from Virginia to Colorado when her dad disowns her after discovering she’s gay, Alyssa slowly finds a place in her new small town when she gets a gig waitressing at the local diner. Pink, Lili Wilkinson (2011) Ava is leading the perfect dyke teen life: accepting parents, dark and moody girlfriend. But she yearns to trade it all in for a new life in a new school where she can just be a regular a girl–where she can be more pink. Life on stage crew helps her find her true way. Sparks: The Epic, Completely True Blue, (Almost) Holy Quest of Debbie, S. J. Adams (2011) Debbie has always been in love with her best friend, Lisa. When Lisa begins dating a dude, Debbie begins an epic quest to finally reveal her true feelings. Addie on the Inside, James Howe (2011) A spin-off from Howe’s novel The Misfits, seventh grader Addie starts questioning her tough exterior and exploring the messy, complicated stuff inside. Adaptation, Malinda Lo (2012) Birds are falling dead from the sky. And Reese Holloway is getting knocked over in parks by pink-haired, gray-eyed lesbians on skateboards. It’s Our Prom (So Deal With It), Julie Anne Peters (2012) Lesbian Azure is on a mission to create a badass alternative prom, along with her best friends Radhika and Luke–who both happen to be in love with her. Bitterblue, Kristin Cashore (2012) The third in the Graceling Realm series, this focuses on Queen Bitterblue, her search for the secrets behind King Leck’s terrible reign, and two thieves who change her life. Between You and Me, Marisa Calin (2012) Phyre desperately wants to be an actress, but falling in love with her drama teacher might be causing a distraction. An interesting drama told in second-person. Silhouette of a Sparrow, Molly Beth Griffin (2012) A historical story set in a small Minnesota summer town in the 1920s, where Isabella and Garnet start to fall for each other. Starting From Here, Lisa Jenn Bigelow (2012) Colby has a lot to deal with: her truck driver dad being gone all the time, her mother’s recent death, and her girlfriend Rachel dumping her at the end of summer. But Colby will be all right, because she has a three-legged dog by her side. The Difference Between You and Me, Madeleine George (2012) Jesse is a political, radical, out dyke, and Emily is pink cashmere sweaters and pep rallies. The only thing they have in common is how much they like kissing each other. Ask the Passengers, A.S. King (2012) Astrid Jones leads a double life: the life of the perfect straight high school student, and the closeted lesbian who makes out with her girlfriend in the walk-in freezer at work. She also spends her spare time talking in her head with Socrates. The Miseducation of Cameron Post, Emily M. Danforth (2012) “The afternoon my parents died, I was out shoplifting with Irene Klausen.” Cameron Post’s story only gets more intriguing after the first line. It includes a number of girls, heartaches, VHS tapes, and a trip to a de-gaying summer camp called God’s Promise. One In Every Crowd, Ivan E. Coyote (2012) Ivan Coyote collects stories about love, education, life, and gender geared towards youth. Tessa Masterson Will Go To Prom, Emily Franklin & Brendan Halpin (2012) Told in alternating narrators between Tessa and her best friend Luke. When Luke finally gets the nerve to admit his love to Tessa, Tessa also then admits that she’s gay–and that she wants to go to prom with a girl. Radiant Days, Elizabeth Hand (2012) A very timey-wimey historical fiction, half takes place in 1978, the other half in 1870, with two artists, one of whom is queer, connected through time. Kiss the Morning Star, Elissa Janine Hoole (2012) Road trip time! After graduating high school, Anna heads across America with her best friend Kat to help grieve her dead mother and discover who she really is. (You) Set Me on Fire, Mariko Tamaki (2012) Allison Lee is ready to reinvent herself at college. She’s still having a hard time feeling truly connected, though, until she meets Shar. Inheritance, Malinda Lo (2013) The sequel to Adaptation. I really can’t tell you anything else, because spoilers. Fat Angie, e.E. Charlton-Trujillo (2013) Angie is attempting to move past a very public suicide attempt and her sister being captured in Afghanistan, among other things. Life starts to change for the better when KC Romance shows up. Winner of the Stonewall Award. Mermaid in Chelsea Creek, Michelle Tea (2013) Chelsea, Massachusetts is a pretty dreary town, but Sophie is out to find the magic that lies beneath the sludge. If You Could Be Mine, Sara Farizan (2013) Sahar and Nasrin have always been best friends, best friends who are also in love with each other. The only problem: they live in Iran, where homosexuality is a crime. Sahar contemplates gender-reassignment surgery to be with the woman she loves. Everything Leads to You, Nina LaCour (2014) Emi is an 18-year-old set designer in Hollywood, whose newest project leads her to Ava, a currently homeless girl with a surprising past whose life is about to change in major ways. Far From You, Tess Sharpe (2014) A bisexual and a recovering addict, Sophie is accused of being involved with the murder of her best friend. She’s on a mission to find the real culprit. Lies My Girlfriend Told Me, Julie Anne Peters (2014) Alix learns that her girlfriend Swanee had been cheating on her, but she only learns this after Swanee has died suddenly from cardiac arrest. So. That is a major bummer. The Summer I Wasn’t Me, Jessica Verdi (2014) Lexi wants to change. She wants to like boys. She knows New Horizons summer camp will help. (Oh, Lexi.) My Best Friend, Maybe, Caela Carter (2014) When Colette’s old best friend Sadie asks her to join her family on a trip to Greece for the summer, Colette obviously agrees. But soon, Colette will discover that this isn’t just a fun vacation, and that Sadie has been keeping secrets for a long time. To be released: No One Needs to Know, Amanda Grace (September 2014) When Olivia starts to investigate the women behind her brother’s recent flings, she “meets her match in Zoey.” She’s then confronted with the awkward situation of being in love with the same person as her brother. Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel, Sara Farizan (October 2014) Leila’s Persian heritage already makes her stand out from her high school classmates, so she’s hidden her lesbianism, too, in order to survive as quietly as she can. But the act becomes hard to keep up once Saskia arrives on the scene. Unspeakable, Abbie Rushton (February 2015) Megan hasn’t spoken in months. But the bubbly, talkative new girl at school, Jasmine, might just be the key to breaking Megan’s silence.  

Add your titles in the comments and we can really make this a Master Lesbian YA List to End All Lesbian YA Lists. We can do it!

Lesbian Apparel and Accessories Gay All Day sweatshirt -- AE exclusive

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Back to top button