Good Reads

In this lyrical story that unfolds as a dramatic performance, Orphea Proud discovers her sexuality as a lesbian and shares her story, which explores powerful questions of family, prejudice, and identity. ...More

Two theater-mad Ohio teenagers attend a drama camp together and go through a season of hormones, gold lam, hissy fits, and true love. Can their friendship survive the summer? ...More

Inspired by his own experience, adult author ("Disco Bloodbath") and media personality James St. James makes his YA debut with this novel about a young drag queen who makes a grand entrance into a conservative high school. ...More

Steven's a 16-year-old boy with two obsessions: sex and getting his driving license. The problem is, Steven's not thinking girls when he's thinking sex. Could he be -- don't say it -- gay? Steven sets out to get in touch with his inner he-man with Healthy Heterosexual Strategies such as "Start Hanging Out with the Guys," and "Begin Intensive Dating." But are Steven's tactics going to straighten him out, or leave him all twisted up?Absolutely hilarious. Positively sidesplitting. But absolutely, positively NOT GAY! ...More

What happens when your two best friends fall in love . . . with each other? That's the dilemma Nina faces when she discovers that girlfriends Mel and Avery are lesbians in this gripping novel. ...More

Runner Up - 2006 VSBA 7-12
Hartinger's debut novel is a fast-paced and funny portrait of contemporary teenagers who may not learn any actual geography in their latest club, but who learn plenty about the treacherous social terrain of a typical American high school. ...More

This powerful sequel to "Geography Club" is a humorous, hip, and thoroughly engaging story filled with skinny-dipping, making out, Indian legends, and the mystery of a secret society called The Order of the Poison Oak. ...More

As a school assignment, a 13-year-old boy writes an alphabiography--life from A to Z--and explores issues of friendship, family, school, and the difficulties of being a gay teenager. ...More

A frank, sensitive book written for teens who are beginning to question their sexual or gender identity and who need advice, guidance, reassurance, and reminders that they are not alone. ...More

Teens are more aware of sexuality and identity than ever, and they're looking for answers and insights, as well as a community of others. In order to help create that community, YA authors David Levithan and Billy Merrell have collected original poems, essays, and stories by young adults in their teens and early 20s. "The Full Spectrum "includes a variety of writers--gay, lesbian, bisexual, straight, transitioning, and questioning--on a variety of subjects: coming out, family, friendship, religion/faith, first kisses, break-ups, and many others.
This one of a kind collection will, perhaps, help all readers see themselves and the world around them in ways they might never have imagined. We have partnered with the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and a portion of the proceeds from this book will be donated to them.

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New to California, Frederick makes fast friends with Xio, an outgoing girl who develops a crush on him. But Frederick is drawn to Victor, the popular captain of the soccer team. Frederick is confused about what his feelings can mean--and part of him is afraid to find out. ...More

This sequel to Sanchez's critically acclaimed "Rainbow Boys" is a captivating and honest depiction that goes straight to the heart of what it means to be young and gay in America. ...More

Thirteen-year-old Staggerlee used to be called Evangeline, but she took on a fiercer name. She's always been different--set apart by the tragic deaths of her grandparents in an anti-civil rights bombing, by her parents' interracial marriage, and by her family's retreat from the world. This summer she has a new reason to feel set apart--her confused longing for her friend, Hazel. When cousin Trout comes to stay, she gives Staggerlee a first glimpse of her possible future selves and the world beyond childhood. Winner of the 1998 LAMBDA Literary Award. ...More

Perry Moore, the executive producer of Disney and Walden Medias film adaptation of "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," now tells an unforgettable story about the coming of age of a young superhero. Thom Creed must come to terms with his fathers past and discover the kind of hero he really wants to be, in this groundbreaking novel of love, loss, and redemption. ...More

Last week I cut my hair, bought some boys' clothes and shoes, wrapped a large ACE bandage around my chest to flatten my fortunately-not-largebreasts, and began looking for a new name.

Angela Katz-McNair has never felt quite right as a girl. Her whole life is leading up to the day she decides to become Grady, a guy. While comingout as transgendered feels right to Grady, he isn't prepared for the reaction he gets from everyone else. His mother is upset, his younger sister is mortified, and his best friend, Eve, won't acknowledge him in public. Why can't people just let Grady be himself?

Grady's life is miserable until he finds friends in some unexpected places -- like the school geek, Sebastian, who explains that there is precedent in the natural world (parrotfish change gender when they need to, and the

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CCBC Choices - 2004
2004 ALA Young Adult Top Ten Selection
Boy Meets Boy is a romantic comedy starring two boys. ...More

"Out of the Ordinary" is a groundbreaking collection of essays by teen and adult children of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender parents. The essays range from humorous to poignant and provide insight into numerous topics on dealing with a parent's sexuality while figuring out one's own. 100 photos. ...More

When Beam moved to Los Angeles, she was drawn deeply into the pained and powerful group of transgirls she discovered. This work shows readers their world--a dizzying mix of familiar teenage cliques and crushes with far less familiar challenges like how to morph one's body on a few dollars a day. ...More