Flamboyants: The Queer Harlem Renaissance I Wish I'd Known

Flamboyants: The Queer Harlem Renaissance I Wish I'd Known by George M. Johnson

In Flamboyants, George M. Johnson celebrates writers, performers, and activists from 1920s Black America whose sexualities have been obscured throughout history. Through 14 essays, Johnson reveals how American culture has been shaped by icons who are both Black and Queer – and whose stories deserve to be celebrated in their entirety.

Interspersed with personal narrative, powerful poetry, and illustrations by award-winning illustrator Charly Palmer, Flamboyants looks to the past for understanding as to how Black and Queer culture has defined the present and will continue to impact the future. With candid prose and an unflinching lens towards truth and hope, George M. Johnson brings young adult readers an inspiring collection of biographies that will encourage teens today to be unabashed in their layered identities.

Great book! Should be in every library collection.

Johnson, George M. (2024). Flamboyants. New York: Farrar Strauss. 

Family Style: Memories of an American from Vietnam

Family Style: Memories of an American from Vietnam by Thien Pham is a beautiful telling of a family's journey to a new home.

Thien's first memory isn't a sight or a sound. It's the sweetness of watermelon and the saltiness of fish. It's the taste of the foods he ate while adrift at sea as his family fled Vietnam.

After the Pham family arrives at a refugee camp in Thailand, they struggle to survive. Things don't get much easier once they resettle in California. And through each chapter of their lives, food takes on a new meaning. Strawberries come to signify struggle as Thien's mom and dad look for work. Potato chips are an indulgence that bring Thien so much joy that they become a necessity.

Behind every cut of steak and inside every croissant lies a story. And for Thien Pham, that story is about a search—for belonging, for happiness, for the American dream.

Pham, Thien. (2023). Family Style. New York: First Second.

This Book Won't Burn

This Book Won't Burn by Samira Ahmed is the story of one young woman standing up to racism in her new school. 

After her dad abruptly abandons her family and her mom moves them a million miles from their Chicago home, Noor Khan is forced to start the last quarter of her senior year at a new school, away from everything and everyone she knows and loves.

Reeling from being uprooted and deserted, Noor is certain the key to survival is to keep her head down and make it to graduation. 

But things aren’t so simple. At school, Noor discovers hundreds of books have been labeled “obscene” or “pornographic” and are being removed from the library in accordance with a new school board policy. Even worse, virtually all the banned books are by queer and BIPOC authors. 

Noor can’t sit back and do nothing, because that goes against everything she believes in, but challenging the status quo just might put a target on her back. Can she effect change by speaking up? Or will small-town politics—and small-town love—be her downfall? 

Ahmed has written a very powerful book that should be read by all lovers of books!

Ahmed, Samira. (2024). This Book Won't Burn. New York: Little Brown & Co.

Imogen, Obviously

Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli is a college visit that leads to a self discovery. 

Imogen Scott may be hopelessly heterosexual, but she’s got the World’s Greatest Ally title locked down.

She's never missed a Pride Alliance meeting. She knows more about queer media discourse than her very queer little sister. She even has two queer best friends. There's Gretchen, a fellow high school senior, who helps keep Imogen's biases in check. And then there's Lili—newly out and newly thriving with a cool new squad of queer college friends.

Imogen's thrilled for Lili. Any ally would be. And now that she's finally visiting Lili on campus, she's bringing her ally A game. Any support Lili needs, Imogen's all in.

Even if that means bending the truth, just a little.

Like when Lili drops a tiny queer bombshell: She's told all her college friends that Imogen and Lili used to date. And none of them know that Imogen is a raging hetero—not even Lili’s best friend, Tessa.

Of course, the more time Imogen spends with chaotic, freckle-faced Tessa, the more she starts to wonder if her truth was ever all that straight to begin with. . .

Albertalli is great author of YA literature. Imogen, Obviously is a sweet coming out story.

Albertalli, Becky. (2023). Imogen, Obviously. New York: Balzer + Bray.

It's A Love / Skate Relationship

It's A Love / Skate Relationship by Carli J. Corson is set around an ice skating competition and a skater who needs a temporary partner while her usual one is injured. 

Charlie Porter is a force to be reckoned with, both on and off the hockey rink. When she accidentally starts a brawl after a game, she’s suspended from school, meaning no hockey this season—and no chance to play in front of college scouts.

Alexa Goldstein’s pairs skating partner was hurt in the fight, and with only four months until their next competition, pickings for a replacement are slim. So she strikes a deal with Charlie—skate with her at the competition well enough to place, and her Olympian mother will use her formidable connections to get Charlie in front of scouts at D-1 schools, even without her team.

It seems impossible, and not just because Charlie has never figure skated before. Where Charlie is powerful, Alexa is elegant; where Charlie is quick to blow up, Alexa is cold as ice. But as the frostiness between them starts to thaw, they begin to wonder if they’ve found a partner for more than just skating.

Fun read for skating fans or YA queer romance. 

Corson, Carli J. (2025). It's A Love/Skate Relationship. New York: Harper

Playing for Keeps

Playing for Keeps by Jennifer Dugan is a young adult lesbian romance between a baseball pitcher and an umpire.

June is the star pitcher of her elite club baseball team—with an ego to match—and she's a shoo-in to be recruited at the college level, like her parents have always envisioned. That is, if she can play through an overuse injury that has recently gone from bad to worse.

Ivy isn't just reffing to pay off her athletic fees or make some extra cash on the side. She wants to someday officiate at the professional level, even if her parents would rather she go to college instead. 

The first time they cross paths, Ivy throws June out of a game for grandstanding. Still, they quickly grow from enemies to begrudging friends . . . and then something more. But the rules state that players and umpires are prohibited from dating.

As June's shoulder worsens, and a rival discovers the girls' secret and threatens to expose them, everything the two have worked so hard for is at risk. Now both must choose: follow their dreams . . . or follow their hearts?

Jennifer Dugan writes great lesbian romance novels for adults and young adults. Read one today.

Dugan, Jennifer. (2024). Playing for Keeps. New York: Putnam.

Margo Zimmerman Gets the Girl

Margo Zimmerman Gets the Girl by Brianna Shrum and Sara Waxelbaum is a YA queer romance and a fun read. 

Margo Zimmerman is gay, but she didn’t know until now. An overachiever at heart, Margo is determined to ace her newly discovered gayness. All she needs is the right tutor.
 
Abbie Sokoloff has her own gayness down to a science. But a flunking grade in US History is threatening her acceptance to her dream school. All she needs is the right tutor.
 
Margo agrees to help Abbie get her history grade up in exchange for “Queer 101” lessons. But as they spend more and more time together, Margo realizes she doesn’t want just any girl—she wants the girl. [fantastic fiction]

This is a great YA romance filled with humor. Read it.

Shrum, Brianna and Sara Waxelbaum (2023). Margo Zimmerman Gets the Girl. New York: Inkyard Press.

The No-Girlfriend Rule

The No-Girlfriend Rule by Christen Randall is a YA coming of age novel set around a Dungeons & Dragons-like game.

Hollis is looking for a place to play S&S. Her boyfriend plays with his friends - and it is all they talk about. But the group has a no girlfriend rule. 

After trying a random game at a gaming store, Hollis is worried that there is no place for her at the game. On her way out, she sees a flyer looking for girls and queers to create a new game.

As Hollis gets to know the other player she learns more about who she wants to be. 

Randall has written a sweet coming of age YA queer, geek girl romance about learning to like yourself the way you are - and finding your group of people.

Randall, Christen. (2024). The No-Girlfriend Rule. New York: Pushkin.

We Deserve Monuments

We Deserve Monuments by Jas Hammonds.

Mama Letty is very ill in the late stages of cancer. Though Zora left the second she was old enough, and has an unspoken of, decades old, conflict with her mother, she and her family are moving to Bardell, Georgia to help.

Avery know little of her grandmother. She and her mom visited once when she was five, but all she remembers of the visit is yelling. Now, at the beginning of her senior year of high school, she is leaving D.C. and her two best friends, moving to a town that looks tiny and run-down. 

Luckily, right away Avery meets Simone and them Jade. Finding two new friends is a blessing. But what Avery doesn't know is the history between their three families. The layers of secrets, racism and town history will slowly be revealed.

As friendships grow closer and time is spent in Bardell, stories are revealed that will both bring Avery closer to her mother and grandmother as well as reveal how racial violence can ripple through generations. 

Hammonds has written a story about family relationships set in a small town with big secrets. This is a beautifully written novel of our history as well as current day country. 

Hammonds, Jas. (2022). We Deserve Monuments. New York: Roaring Brook Press.

The Dos and Donuts of Love

The Dos and Donuts of Love by Adiba Jaigirdar is about doing what you love. 

Shireen Malik has just broken up with her girlfriend. Her best friend is in Bangladesh for the summer. She works at her family's donut shop - You Drive Me Glazy.  And she is waiting to hear if she will be on a new Irish teen cooking competition. 

When she finds out she has made it on the show she is excited but scared that her ex, Chris, will also be there. 

Jaigirdar has created a lovely teen romance for fans of shows like the Great British Baking Show and fans of puns! This is a wonderful summer read. 

Jaigirdar, Adiba. The Dos and Donuts of Love. New York: Feiwel & Friends. 

The Stardust Thief (Sandsea #1)

The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah is the first book in the Sandsea fantasy series. 

Loulie al-Nazari was saved by Qadir, a Jinn, when her whole family and tribe were killed by men in black. Al-Nazari is the Midnight Merchant. While others may go a lifetime without seeing a Jinn relic, Loulie sells them. 

Magic and relics are illegal – only some know that the relics are infused with magic left by the Jinn who created them. The wealthy collect them mostly for the status, not the magic. Now Loulie is arrested and brought to the sultan. He has heard of a relic in the Sand Sea that he wants her to collect – a trip that is likely to end in her death. 

The sultan will be sending his son Omar, head of the 40 Thieves, with her for protection. Omar is a famous Jinn killer. 

Abdullah’s first book in the Sandsea series is wonderful – everything you could want in a fantasy adventure. I cannot wait for the next book to come out!

Abdullah, Chelsea. (2022). The Stardust Thief. New York: Orbit.   

And She Was

Dara Baker lives in a small town in upstate New York with her mother Millie. Dara just graduated high school and is about to enter the professional tennis circuit. She has to play enough tournaments to get ranked so she can work her way up.

When her mom is at work, Dara searches the house for her birth certificate so she can get a passport. But neither of the two people she sees listed as her parents is called Millie Baker. When her mom gets home, Dara confronts her and is shocked to find out that Millie is transgender and is biologically her father.

Reeling, Dara sets off on a road trip in search of her grandparents with her best friend Sam. A trip that will garner many answers, some she doesn’t even know to ask.

Verdi’s book is a beautiful book about being true to yourself. It takes Dara on an emotional journey as she comes to realize that what Millie did was the right thing for both of them. Read this book – especially if you do not have any trans folks in your life.

Verdi, Jessica. (2018). And She Was. New York: Point.

it Goes Like This

The teen band Moonlight Overthrown was a smash hit. They were the first out, queer band and their followers will be loyal for as long as time. Unfortunately, they broke up almost two years ago. The internet is now littered with rumors and occasional sightings of one of the four band members.

Eva is in Los Angeles going to college. She still works in the recording industry, but now as a song writer. She is quite enjoying her less paparazzi filled days. She has not spoken to her band mates since the last show. They have a group text, but no one has written in a long time.

Celeste now has a solo career. She is on tour with her second album.

Gina is an actor now. She just finished filming a Netflix project.

No one has heard from Steph is.

Eva is surprised, and a bit hurt, when Celeste and Gina are photographed at an LA party together. The photo also stirs rumors of a band reunion – which seems very unlikely from the point of view of each of the band members. That is, until something happens to bring them all together…

Moreland has written a fun summer read. The characters are well thought-out. It seems like she knows a lot about the music industry. If you are looking for a great queer YA, this is the book for you.

Moreland, Miel. (2021). It Goes Like This. New York: Feiwel & Friends.

Mooncakes

Teen witch Nova Huang lives with her grandmothers over their bookshop. When she hears about something odd in the woods, she goes to investigate. What she finds is her childhood friend, Tam Lang, in her werewolf form.

Tam is back to fight a demon in the woods. She has also run away from home to get away from her stepfather. She will stay with Nova while they figure out what to do.

Walker and Xu have created a great witch story. This graphic novel is based around a Chinese Jewish family, is queer, and a great read.

Walker, Suzanne & Wendy Xu. (2019). Mooncakes. ?: Roar.

Cool for the Summer

Larissa Bogdan just finished her junior year of high school. Whatever her plans were will have to change as her mom tells her they are going to the Outer Banks for the summer. Her mom’s boss summers there, and they have to work. They will be staying in his beach mansion.

Jasmine Killary has spent most summers in Outer Banks. It is the time she spends with her father, the rest of the time she lives with her mother. She sees the same friends each year – all the children of the very wealthy.

Larissa and Jasmine spend the summer going to parties and getting closer. When they say goodbye, they don’t think they will see each other again – just a summer fling. But on the first day of school Larissa sees Jasmine walk down the hall. She has moved in with her father to finish high school.

Adler is a wonderful writer. Her YA romance is great!

Adler, Dahlia. (2021). Cool for the Summer. New York: Wednesday Books.

Melt With You

Fallon and Chloe were best friends, until a year ago when they hooked up. They have not spoken since. Unfortunately, their moms co-own a business where they work in the summer.

Love At First Bite is a popular ice cream truck, both in their upstate New York town, and on the summer food festival circuit. Fallon and her mom were going to drive the truck to Memphis and them Dallas, but now her mom must fly out for a meeting with potential investors.

Chloe is back after her first year of college. She tried to text Fallon a couple of times, but never heard back. Now they are going to be in a truck together for four days.

Dugan has written a YA romance in a unique setting. It is unlikely that things will not be delt with, one way or another.

Dugan, Jennifer. (2022). Melt With You. New York: GP Putnam’s Sons.

Home Field Advantage

Amber McCloud is a high school junior in the Florida panhandle. She is a cheerleader who is campaigning to be head cheerleader next year – hoping to turn that into a college scholarship so she can move far away. She has everything planned and nothing can interfere with the plan.

At the end of the last school year, the previous football quarterback died while drunk driving. As the new year starts there are rumors of a new quarterback, recruited at the summer football camp. For the first day of school, the cheerleaders decorate the players lockers, including the new Jack Walsh – who no one has seen yet.

Jack Walsh agreed to move to a new school to play football for one reason, it is likely the only offer that will come. It is not easy being accepted, despite an incredible set of skills, Because Jack is a girl.

Adler is a great storyteller. Read any of her great YA books!

Adler, Dahlia. (2022). Home Field Advantage. New York: Wednesday Books.

Terciel & Elinor (Old Kingdom #6)

Terciel & Elinor by Garth Nix is the sixth installment in his Old Kingdom / Abhorsen series. 

Elinor was raised in Ancelstierre, south of the wall that block the magic of the Old Kingdom. Never in her childhood was magic even mentioned. 

Terciel was gathered by the current Abhorsen, Tizanael, from the orphanage he has live in since his parents and sister died. He will become the next Abhorsen in Waiting - learning all of the Charter magic needed to keep the dead in death and from coming back to the world to cause trouble. 

Their paths cross when a necromancer begins to summon the dead to attack Elinor. 

Nix has written this prequel, starring the parents of Sabriel, to the delight of his fans. What started out as the Abhorsen trilogy is one of my favorite fantasy series ever!

Nix, Garth. (2021). Terciel & Elinor. New York: Katherine Tegan Books.

The Unspoken Name (Serpent Gates #1)

The Unspoken Name by AK Larkwood is the first book in the Serpent Gates YA fantasy series.

Csorwe lives at the Shrine of the Unspoken. She is about to be the latest sacrifice to the god of her homeland. Every fourteen years a young woman is given to the god. 

A month before her date, a pilgrim comes to the temple and requests a prophesy from the god. Csorwe is the conduit for this. Sethennai is asking about the Reliquary of Pentravesse, a legendary item that allowed Pentravesse to live in harmony with his god. Usually being tied to a god, and using the magic they emit, is very hard on the human body, most magicians dying young.

When Csorwe gets to the temple a month later, Sethennai offers her another way. If she comes with him, he will teach her languages, fighting and more. He thinks she can eventually help him win his city back from the man who usurped him.

Larkwood has started a great young adult fantasy series. Csorwe is a strong character who learns a lot about herself in this first book. She also falls in love and risks all to save the woman she loves.

Larkwood, AK. (2020). The Unspoken Name. New York: Tor.

Red Hood

Red Hood by Elana K Arnold is a retelling of Little Red Ridinghood. In this version, the wolves are the ones in danger.

Bisou lives with her grandmother in the woods near Seattle. She has lived there since her grandmother came and got her in Canada after her mother was killed.

As Bisou is walking home after a school dance, a wolf attacks her. It is the biggest wolf she has ever heard of. But it does not harm her. She manages to evade and then kill the wolf. 

When her grandmother figures out what happened, she has a story to tell Bisou. One about boys and how they can become wolves, endangering the young women around them.

Arnold has written a very readable, important book for all teen girls. 

Arnold, Elana. (2021). Red Hood. New York: Balzer and Bray.