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2018 YA Books with LGBT Themes
This list is for 2018 books with LGBTQIA+ characters or themes. Books on this list must be published for the YA or middle grade market.
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Score
A book’s total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book.
| 192 |
|
Lost (House of Night Otherworld, #2)
by
P.C. Cast (Goodreads Author)
4.33 avg rating — 4,324 ratings
score: 100,
and
1 person voted
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| 192 |
|
The 48
by
3.49 avg rating — 288 ratings
score: 100,
and
1 person voted
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| 192 |
|
Aesop Lake
by
Sarah Leigh Ward (Goodreads Author)
3.66 avg rating — 65 ratings
score: 100,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 192 |
|
It Wasn't Me
by
Dana Alison Levy (Goodreads Author)
3.87 avg rating — 1,858 ratings
score: 100,
and
2 people voted
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| 192 |
|
Sin barreras, sin armarios. Diversidades sexuales, diversidades humanas
by
4.50 avg rating — 8 ratings
score: 100,
and
1 person voted
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| 192 |
|
The Network
by
Cindy Zhang (Goodreads Author)
3.77 avg rating — 52 ratings
score: 100,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 192 |
|
Long Live Phoenixes
by
Jasmine Farrell (Goodreads Author)
4.65 avg rating — 20 ratings
score: 100,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 192 |
|
Sunscorched (Subterranean Series #1)
by
Jen Crane (Goodreads Author)
4.27 avg rating — 52 ratings
score: 100,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 192 |
|
Sylvie Asleton and the Shrike's Curse (Brookmoors Magi, #1)
by
James T. Callum (Goodreads Author)
3.70 avg rating — 50 ratings
score: 100,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 192 |
|
The Colours I See
by
Ila Golden (Goodreads Author)
4.74 avg rating — 19 ratings
score: 100,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 192 |
|
Return of the Mantra (Blood Gift Chronicles #1)
by
Susie Williamson (Goodreads Author)
4.53 avg rating — 15 ratings
score: 100,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 192 |
|
Defensive Play (Boys on the Brink #0.5)
by
Jamie Deacon (Goodreads Author)
4.18 avg rating — 207 ratings
score: 100,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 213 |
|
Just Like Jackie
by
Lindsey Stoddard (Goodreads Author)
4.30 avg rating — 1,397 ratings
score: 99,
and
2 people voted
|
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| 213 |
|
Deranged Angels and Cannibal Hearts (Dead Things #3)
by
Martina McAtee (Goodreads Author)
4.51 avg rating — 243 ratings
score: 99,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 215 |
|
Sam & Ilsa's Last Hurrah
by
2.78 avg rating — 2,534 ratings
score: 98,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 215 |
|
The Gender Identity Workbook for Kids: A Guide to Exploring Who You Are
by
Kelly Storck (Goodreads Author)
4.42 avg rating — 36 ratings
score: 98,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 215 |
|
The Dark Beneath the Ice
by
Amelinda Bérubé (Goodreads Author)
3.43 avg rating — 986 ratings
score: 98,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 215 |
|
Bombshells: United, Vol. 1: American Soil
by
3.60 avg rating — 481 ratings
score: 98,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 219 |
|
Tin Heart
by
Shivaun Plozza (Goodreads Author)
3.79 avg rating — 898 ratings
score: 97,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 219 |
|
Lunav
by
Jenn Polish (Goodreads Author)
3.92 avg rating — 40 ratings
score: 97,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 219 |
|
My Alien Bride
by
4.42 avg rating — 96 ratings
score: 97,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 222 |
|
Past Tense
by
Star Spider (Goodreads Author)
3.64 avg rating — 92 ratings
score: 96,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 222 |
|
New World (Iamos Trilogy, #2)
by
Lyssa Chiavari (Goodreads Author)
4.30 avg rating — 33 ratings
score: 96,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 222 |
|
Shieldmaiden Book 2: Jewel of Fire
by
G.L. Roberts (Goodreads Author)
3.43 avg rating — 7 ratings
score: 96,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 222 |
|
Generation X, Vol. 2: Survival of the Fittest
by
3.71 avg rating — 302 ratings
score: 96,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 222 |
|
The Backstagers and the Ghost Light (Backstagers, #1)
by
3.97 avg rating — 442 ratings
score: 96,
and
2 people voted
|
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| 222 |
|
Conduit (Enchanters, #2)
by
K.F. Bradshaw (Goodreads Author)
4.54 avg rating — 39 ratings
score: 96,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 228 |
|
Shadow Call (Kaitan Chronicles, #2)
by
AdriAnne Strickland (Goodreads Author)
4.05 avg rating — 293 ratings
score: 95,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 228 |
|
The Way The Light Bends
by
Cordelia Jensen (Goodreads Author)
4.10 avg rating — 375 ratings
score: 95,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 230 |
|
A Possibility of Whales
by
Karen Rivers (Goodreads Author)
3.67 avg rating — 317 ratings
score: 94,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 230 |
|
Learning Seventeen
by
Brooke Carter (Goodreads Author)
3.18 avg rating — 38 ratings
score: 94,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 230 |
|
Kidnapping The Princess
by
4.14 avg rating — 169 ratings
score: 94,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 233 |
|
Misfit City Vol. 2
by
Kirsten "Kiwi" Smith (Goodreads Author)
3.81 avg rating — 813 ratings
score: 93,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 233 |
|
True Sisters
by
Keren David (Goodreads Author)
3.68 avg rating — 145 ratings
score: 93,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 235 |
|
When Elephants Fly
by
Nan Fischer (Goodreads Author)
4.15 avg rating — 1,185 ratings
score: 92,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 236 |
|
My Life as a Diamond
by
Jenny Manzer (Goodreads Author)
4.02 avg rating — 246 ratings
score: 90,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 236 |
|
The Pros of Cons
by
Alison Cherry (Goodreads Author)
4.12 avg rating — 780 ratings
score: 90,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 236 |
|
Simply an Enigma
by
Brittany Evans (Goodreads Author)
4.10 avg rating — 50 ratings
score: 90,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 239 |
|
Afterlife with Archie, Vol. 2: Betty R.I.P.
by
4.06 avg rating — 427 ratings
score: 89,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 239 |
|
Light Years (Light Years, #1)
by
Kass Morgan (Goodreads Author)
3.93 avg rating — 3,003 ratings
score: 89,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 241 |
|
The Finder
by
3.84 avg rating — 121 ratings
score: 87,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 241 |
|
That's Not What Happened
by
Kody Keplinger (Goodreads Author)
3.75 avg rating — 20,126 ratings
score: 87,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 243 |
|
Jem and the Holograms: Outrageous Edition, Vol. 2
by
Kelly Thompson (Goodreads Author)
liked it 3.00 avg rating — 6 ratings
score: 86,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 244 |
|
The Facility
by
3.50 avg rating — 18 ratings
score: 85,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 244 |
|
Kim Reaper, Vol. 1: Grim Beginnings
by
Sarah Graley (Goodreads Author)
3.69 avg rating — 3,029 ratings
score: 85,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 246 |
|
Solomon's Ring (Daughters of Light #2)
by
Mary Jennifer Payne (Goodreads Author)
3.50 avg rating — 18 ratings
score: 84,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 247 |
|
Tradition
by
Brendan Kiely (Goodreads Author)
3.44 avg rating — 2,116 ratings
score: 83,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 247 |
|
One Giant Leap (Dare Mighty Things, #2)
by
Heather Kaczynski (Goodreads Author)
3.56 avg rating — 506 ratings
score: 83,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 249 |
|
The Queen Underneath
by
Stacey Filak (Goodreads Author)
2.70 avg rating — 220 ratings
score: 82,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 249 |
|
Confessions of a Teenage Leper
by
3.58 avg rating — 226 ratings
score: 82,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 249 |
|
Puddin' (Dumplin', #2)
by
Julie Murphy (Goodreads Author)
really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 20,358 ratings
score: 82,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 252 |
|
Clean
by
Juno Dawson (Goodreads Author)
4.13 avg rating — 7,962 ratings
score: 81,
and
1 person voted
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| 252 |
|
Secondhand Origin Stories (Second Sentinels Book 1)
by
Lee Blauersouth (Goodreads Author)
4.02 avg rating — 59 ratings
score: 81,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 254 |
|
Paris Syndrome
by
Lisa Walker (Goodreads Author)
3.42 avg rating — 153 ratings
score: 80,
and
1 person voted
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| 255 |
|
A Love Song for Mr. Dakota
by
Gene Gant (Goodreads Author)
3.77 avg rating — 13 ratings
score: 79,
and
1 person voted
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| 256 |
|
My Crunchy Life
by
Mia Kerick (Goodreads Author)
4.31 avg rating — 35 ratings
score: 78,
and
1 person voted
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| 257 |
|
Only the Ocean
by
Natasha Carthew (Goodreads Author)
2.77 avg rating — 181 ratings
score: 77,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 258 |
|
My Whole Truth
by
Mischa Thrace (Goodreads Author)
3.88 avg rating — 645 ratings
score: 76,
and
1 person voted
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| 259 |
|
When Light Left Us
by
Leah Thomas (Goodreads Author)
3.60 avg rating — 440 ratings
score: 73,
and
1 person voted
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| 260 |
|
Second Best Friend
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3.63 avg rating — 249 ratings
score: 72,
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1 person voted
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| 261 |
|
We Are Young
by
Cat Clarke (Goodreads Author)
3.94 avg rating — 1,150 ratings
score: 71,
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1 person voted
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| 262 |
|
Jilda's Ark
by
Verity Croker (Goodreads Author)
3.59 avg rating — 17 ratings
score: 70,
and
1 person voted
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| 263 |
|
Nightingale
by
3.24 avg rating — 662 ratings
score: 69,
and
1 person voted
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| 264 |
|
Deadfall
by
Stephen Wallenfels (Goodreads Author)
3.77 avg rating — 680 ratings
score: 67,
and
1 person voted
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| 265 |
|
The Resolutions
by
3.60 avg rating — 522 ratings
score: 66,
and
1 person voted
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| 266 |
|
Kens
by
2.77 avg rating — 209 ratings
score: 63,
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1 person voted
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| 267 |
|
We Regret to Inform You
by
Ariel Kaplan (Goodreads Author)
3.72 avg rating — 2,435 ratings
score: 61,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 268 |
|
Just Julian
by
Markus Harwood-Jones (Goodreads Author)
2.69 avg rating — 48 ratings
score: 58,
and
1 person voted
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| 269 |
|
Romeo for Real
by
Markus Harwood-Jones (Goodreads Author)
2.59 avg rating — 56 ratings
score: 57,
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1 person voted
|
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| 269 |
|
Steven Universe Orignal Graphic Novel: Ultimate Dough-Down
by
4.06 avg rating — 176 ratings
score: 57,
and
2 people voted
|
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| 271 |
|
The Art of French Kissing
by
Brianna R. Shrum (Goodreads Author)
3.51 avg rating — 884 ratings
score: 56,
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1 person voted
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| 272 |
|
Steven Universe: Field Researching (Vol. 3)
by
Grace Kraft (Writer)
4.06 avg rating — 191 ratings
score: 55,
and
2 people voted
|
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| 273 |
|
Home Home
by
3.71 avg rating — 429 ratings
score: 53,
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1 person voted
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| 274 |
|
Contagion (Contagion, #1)
by
Erin Bowman (Goodreads Author)
3.87 avg rating — 7,302 ratings
score: 51,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 275 |
|
Floored
by
Sara Barnard (Goodreads Author)
3.66 avg rating — 2,102 ratings
score: 50,
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1 person voted
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| 276 |
|
Illusions
by
Madeline J. Reynolds (Goodreads Author)
3.72 avg rating — 221 ratings
score: 45,
and
1 person voted
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| 277 |
|
Rabbit & Robot
by
3.60 avg rating — 916 ratings
score: 44,
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1 person voted
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| 278 |
|
Noah Goes Nuclear (Noah Can’t Even, #2.5)
by
Simon James Green (Goodreads Author)
4.02 avg rating — 267 ratings
score: 42,
and
1 person voted
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| 279 |
|
Lily's Just Fine (Galloway Girls, #1)
by
3.36 avg rating — 176 ratings
score: 41,
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1 person voted
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| 280 |
|
Cinders
by
Mette Bach (Goodreads Author)
liked it 3.00 avg rating — 25 ratings
score: 40,
and
1 person voted
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| 281 |
|
Charming
by
Mette Bach (Goodreads Author)
2.90 avg rating — 21 ratings
score: 39,
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1 person voted
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| 282 |
|
You Don't Know Everything, Jilly P!
by
4.02 avg rating — 2,961 ratings
score: 38,
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1 person voted
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| 283 |
|
Dodger Boy
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3.48 avg rating — 60 ratings
score: 37,
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1 person voted
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| 284 |
|
The Good Egg (Lumberjanes #3)
by
3.99 avg rating — 269 ratings
score: 36,
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1 person voted
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| 285 |
|
The Lotterys More or Less
by
Emma Donoghue (Goodreads Author)
3.59 avg rating — 422 ratings
score: 34,
and
1 person voted
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| 286 |
|
Flying Tips for Flightless Birds
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4.04 avg rating — 521 ratings
score: 32,
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1 person voted
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| 287 |
|
The Key to Every Thing
by
Pat Schmatz (Goodreads Author)
3.53 avg rating — 202 ratings
score: 28,
and
1 person voted
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| 288 |
|
All Three Stooges
by
Erica S. Perl (Goodreads Author)
3.80 avg rating — 120 ratings
score: 21,
and
1 person voted
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| 289 |
|
Goosebumps: Monsters at Midnight (Vol. 1-3)
by
Jeremy Lambert (Goodreads Author)
3.81 avg rating — 340 ratings
score: 18,
and
1 person voted
|
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| 290 |
|
All Summer Long (Eagle Rock, #1)
by
3.85 avg rating — 6,788 ratings
score: 17,
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1 person voted
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| 291 |
|
Maggie & Abby's Neverending Pillow Fort (Maggie & Abby, #1)
by
Will Taylor (Goodreads Author)
4.18 avg rating — 164 ratings
score: 14,
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1 person voted
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| 292 |
|
No Fixed Address
by
Susin Nielsen (Goodreads Author)
4.22 avg rating — 5,626 ratings
score: 13,
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1 person voted
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| 293 |
|
Ice Wolves (Elementals, #1)
by
Amie Kaufman (Goodreads Author)
3.99 avg rating — 3,346 ratings
score: 12,
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1 person voted
|
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| 294 |
|
The Cure for Cold Feet
by
Beth Ain (Goodreads Author)
3.46 avg rating — 56 ratings
score: 11,
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1 person voted
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| 295 |
|
Milla Takes Charge (Daring Dreamers Club #1)
by
Erin Soderberg Downing (Goodreads Author)
4.08 avg rating — 90 ratings
score: 10,
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1 person voted
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| 296 |
|
Cilla Lee-Jenkins: This Book Is a Classic (Cilla Lee-Jenkins, 2)
by
Susan Tan (Goodreads Author)
4.26 avg rating — 270 ratings
score: 6,
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1 person voted
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296 books ·
596 voters ·
list created March 18th, 2016
by Rainbowheart (votes) .
Tags:
2018, ace, aro, aromantic, asexual, asexuality, bisexual, fiction, gay, gender-identity, genderfluid, genderqueer, glbt, glbtq, homosexuality, intersex, lesbian, lgbt, lgbtq, middle-grade, nonbinary, pansexual, pansexuality, queer, sexual-orientation, sexuality, transgender, upcoming, young-adult
Rainbowheart
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155 friends
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Melinda
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Rainbowheart
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May 05, 2016 07:02PM
Removed The Queen of Air and Darkness. Release date seems to have been pushed to 2019.
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Removed A Line in the Dark, which got an earlier 2017 release.
Removed Semper Augustus, which got pushed to 2019.
FYI -- Number 61 (P.S. I Miss You) is MG, not YA.
so ... 2018 is the year for lesbians I see ... I just hope they're as good as they sound
Thanks, Erin. I updated the list description to make it inclusive of middle grade books, too.
Could you please include asexuality in the description and tags (as asexual characters are neither gay/lesbian, nor bisexual) ? Otherwise it could be hard to understand, if asexual characters are not welcome here (doesn't look so) or there are no books with them in order to be recognized (there are at least some). Thanks.
I'll update the description and tags to be more inclusive now. Thanks for pointing it out.
I would appreciate not altering the description of my list without asking first, since I am the list creator. I don't mind including asexual characters, but the primary focus of this list should be LGBT.
For Kristine and others who are interested, there is a list just for asexual characters here....Asexuality in YA Fiction
@rainbowheart: sorry for taking over but i guess i just couldn't fathom why a list celebrating lgbt releases would be exclusive of those also on the spectrum.
No worries. I do think it should be inclusive of all, but for example a straight asexual relationship with no mention of being a sexual minority perhaps wouldn't be quite appropriate. In any case, we do have Let's Talk About Love on the list, and it has an asexual MC. There may be a few others with side characters. too.
@rainbowheart: i kinda understand what you are saying - and it is your list so i apologise for interfering - but asexual/aromantic people are part of the lgbtqia+ spectrum, no matter their partners/lis gender or sexuality. saying the only get to be included if their partner is lgbt+ seems a little demeaning. but i am genuinely sorry that i responded on your behalf. i'll leave those sorts of things to the oc from now on.
Again, no worries. I didn't necessarily mean it had to be a same-sex relationship, but say there was a relationship between a boy and a girl that simply didn't mention sexual attraction, for example, many old school teen romances or younger middle grade books today. I don't think any of those would be appropriate for the list if they did not have self-identified asexual characters. There are many books without sex or romance. I just wanted to avoid muddying the waters there.
@rainbowheart: oh, okay. i see what you mean now! if there is no mention of asexuality or it isn't made abundantly clear in the text, it shouldn't be added. i thought you meant you weren't including asexual/pansexual/nonbinary or other not L.G.B.T. but still lgbt+ characters on the list and was confused why. sorry.
Removed Troublemakers, which was originally released in 2017, and The Cerulean, which got pushed to 2019.
Removed: You're You. 2017.
Rise as One. 2019.
What She Does Next Will Astound You. 2016.
Jokes About Dead Girls. 2019.
The Disappearing Boy.2019.
Thanks for helping to keep the list in good shape!
Hi Rainbowheart - just finished The Parker Inheritance and although it doesn't focus on LGBT issues, it deals with homophobia and a character comes out. Thnx.
Thanks for the info, Todd. I added it to the list!
Hi again, I just finished Tattered Planet by Kate Blair and one of the supporting character's parents are men. This info is only mentioned or appears a few times, but it's integral to who that character is. I highly recommend the book - murder/mystery, sci-fi future, evolution, space travel! - Todd
Removed Firestarter, which got pushed to 2019.Feel free to vote for Tangled Planet, Todd! Sounds like it would also be a good addition to the YA Books with LGBT Parents list.
Removed The Weight of the Stars, which also got pushed to 2019.
Removed True Romantics and A Queer History of the United States for Young People, which both got pushed to 2019. Also deleted the Marlon Bundo picture book and several titles released prior to 2018.
Removed Bloom, which got pushed to 2019, and The Tower, publication date unknown.
Fresh Ink, Lamar Giles (ed) has several stories with LGBTQ+ stories and other marginalized identities.
Thanks, Todd. Please feel free to vote for anything that you'd like to see on the list.
Removed Starworld, Not Your Backup, and Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy: Little Women, which all got pushed to 2019.
Hey, do you have lists from other years?
Removed Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me, which got pushed to 2019.Also removed two adult novels and one pre-2018 release.
I've just finished Dream Country by Shannon Gibney and there is a lesbian character.
Thanks for the heads up, Todd. I added Dream Country.
Removed An Impossible Distance to Fall, which got pushed to 2019.
Someone inexplicably deleted Hullmetal Girls from this list. Please do not remove 2018 YA or middle grade releases with LGBT characters!
i assume you flagged the edit? i'm literally so done with people on this site atm
I didn't flag because I thought it could have been an honest mistake. It's happened to me a few times where I deleted something in error. I didn't recognize the person who did it, but it doesn't seem to be someone associated with the censorship brigade, so I'm giving the benefit of the doubt. There's way too much craziness over on the main YA list!
fair enough. there is so much drama about it. it's gone beyond ridiculous. did you see they were trying to get the whole list flagged? 🙄
I saw that! I messaged Jasmine to let her know in case she wasn't following the comments on her list. I doubt there's anything to worry about, but some people are indeed ridiculous.
Removed Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit, and You Know Me Well. None of these are 2018 releases.
The Time Traveler's Guide to Modern Romance #42 is not a 2018 release as it comes out at March 4th 2019
Thanks for the heads up. I removed that one along with Flamer, still no release date, and Sarah. According to readers, this has adult characters.
Here is my YA book published in 2018 with a prominent gay character:No Doubt In My Mind by Sheila Solomon Shotwell
I read Darius The Great is Not Okay recently, and the only canon LGBT characters are Darius's two paternal grandmas (who are not shown on page).
Darius never comes out, but it seems clear in the story that he is, indeed, gay.
Rainbowheart wrote: "Darius never comes out, but it seems clear in the story that he is, indeed, gay."But does implied homosexuality really count as representation? Though Darius and Sohrab's friendship sometimes borders on romantic seeming, there is no actual on-page confirmation of either of their sexualities, nor confirmation by the author for that matter. Though I loved the book, I feel like I enjoyed it less due to the expectations I had based on the fact that the book was on this list. Ultimately, it is your decision but I strongly encourage you to remove it.
I would say things have progressed culturally to the point where an obviously gay character written by a gay author does qualify for inclusion on the list. It's not like it was in days of old when people had to search to find hidden homoerotic subtext in various works of literature. A dramatic coming out scene may no longer be be necessary. Plus, the two gay grandmothers are mentioned. I interpret "LGBT themes" rather loosely.
After some Internet Research, I discovered you were right! I did not realized Adib Khorram was gay, but he has said publicly multiple times that Darius was intended to be questioning and, in his mind, would eventually grow to be comfortable identifying as gay. Though I have some issues with authorial intent as representation—*cough* JK Rowling *cough*—knowing the representation in this case is own voices appeases me. LGBT themes indeed!
Grace wrote: "After some Internet Research, I discovered you were right! I did not realized Adib Khorram was gay, but he has said publicly multiple times that Darius was intended to be questioning and, in his mi..."oh this was interesting to me. When I read the book I knew the author was gay... and I read Darius as definitely experiencing same-sex attraction! Now I'm wondering if I projected that because I knew the author's orientation.
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