January:
As You Walk On By by Julian Winters
Genres: Contemporary
After queer Black 17-year-old Theo’s public promposal goes sideways, he must reconsider his past actions, current relationships, and future goals.
6 Times We Almost Kissed and One Time We Did by Tess Sharpe
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Two girls are forced to navigate their lives together when their lifelong-best-friend mothers move in together to face a life-threatening health problem.
The Buried and the Bound by Rochelle Hassan
Genres: Fantasy
A cursed boy, an indentured necromancer, and a hedgewitch must join forces to protect their mortal world from a creeping magic evil.
The Black Queen by Jumata Emill
Genres: Mystery
A homecoming queen’s murder is investigated by two unlikely suspects: her best friend Duchess (the police chief’s daughter) and the actual suspect, Tinsley.
February:
The Wicked Bargain by Gabe Cole Novoa
Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Mar may have hidden magic, but it’s no help when el Diablo comes to collect their father’s soul. But with the help of unlikely allies, can they still save him?
Planning Perfect by Haley Neil
Genres: Romance
Aspiring event planner Felicity is trying to plan her mother’s wedding, but her long-distance friend who offered her home as venue is more than distracting…
I’ll Take Everything You Have by James Klise
Genres: Historical Fiction, Noir
Sixteen-year-old Joe finds himself drawn into the criminal underbelly (and underground queer community) of 1930s Chicago.
Always the Almost by Edward Underhill
Genres: Romance, Contemporary
Newly out trans boy Miles is set on winning his ex back, but when a brief fake dating ruse results in a kiss, his plans are complicated.
March:
Spin by Rebecca Caprara
Genres: Verse, Retelling, Mythology
In a novel-in-verse retelling of the Greek myth, teenage Arachne finds herself through the craft of weaving and challenges the goddess Athena to a fateful contest.
My Dear Henry by Kalynn Bayron
Genres: Historical Fiction, Retelling, Fantasy, Romance
Finally returning to London after being expelled from medical school, Gabriel is desperate to discover what has become of his beloved best friend, Henry Jekyll.
Strictly No Heroics by B. L. Radley
Genres: Science Fiction, Superhero
After being filmed retaliating against a handsy superhero, Riley becomes a supervillain’s henchmen and soon learns villainy isn’t what it seems.
Into the Light by Mark Oshiro
Genres: Mystery, Speculative
Manny has been a homeless hitchhiker since he was cast out by his hyper-religious adopted family, but the discovery of a body he suspects is his sister changes the course of his life.
April:
Bianca Torre Is Afraid of Everything by Justine Pucella Winans
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Anxiety-ridden Bianca likes to spy on their neighbors through a telescope, but when they witness a murder that is ultimately ruled a suicide, they’ll have to get over their fears to find the truth.
If I See You Again Tomorrow by Robbie Couch
Genres: Science Fiction, Romance, Contemporary
Clark has been stuck in the same monotonous time loop for 310 days–until it’s different. Beau is suddenly also there. But after a whirlwind loop together, Beau seems dead set on ignoring Clark.
The Making of Yolanda La Bruja by Lorraine Avila
Genres: Paranormal, Fantasy, Contemporary
Bruja-in-training Yolanda grapples with uneasy feelings after a vision reveals that the new white, wealthy student at her racially diverse school has the capacity for violence and racism.
Becoming a Queen by Dan Clay
Genres: Contemporary
Gay teenager Mark deals with issues of identity, love, and loss as he grapples with his newly-discovered affinity for wearing dresses at the same time that his brother descends into addiction.
May:
Transmogrify!: 14 Fantastical Tales of Trans Magic edited by G. Haron Davis
Genres: Fantasy, Short Stories, Anthology
Fourteen transgender authors join forces for this fantasy anthology featuring gender expansive worlds, characters, and tales.
Only This Beautiful Moment by Abdi Nazemian
Genres: Historical Fiction, Contemporary
Three generations connected across time and from Los Angeles to Iran–Moud, his father Sameen, and his grandfather Babak each experiencing their formative teenage years in their own times.
Court of the Undying Seasons by A.M. Strickland
Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal
A girl who hates vampires volunteers to go train in their school in place of a girl she once loved, but soon finds herself enthralled by the new world and her vampire maker.
Never Trust a Gemini by Freja Nicole Woolf
Genres: Romance, Contemporary
Astrology-obsessed Cat is convinced of two things: she and her friend Alison are Meant-To-Be, and you can NEVER trust a Gemini. But will the cute new girl in school change her mind?
Further Resources:
- Stonewall Book Award
- Rainbow Roundtable: Book Reviews
- Rainbow Roundtable: Rainbow Book List
- Queer Books for Teens
- LGBTQ Reads: Young Adult
- The Lesbrary: YA
- Queer Cartoonists Database
- Library of Congress: LGBTQ Research and History Resources
ck. 02/16/2023. last updated 05/04/2023