Underated YA Books to Read This Pride Month

Recommending books to teenagers during Pride month is always my favorite. As someone who reads and loves queer literature year-round, I love that there's an entire month every year where people are extra excited to get their hands on books about the LGBTQ+ community. We've all heard of Simon Vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda and The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue, and while these are great books to start with, this year I wanted to share some of my favorite lesser known books to read this June.

The Black Flamingo By Dean Atta Cover Image
$18.99
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ISBN: 9780062990297
Published: Balzer + Bray - May 26th, 2020

Who doesn't love a good drag persona origin story? The Black Flamingo is an incredibly powerful story, (told in verse, might I add), of Michael's first year at college and the self-discovery that happens within it.

 


All the Bad Apples By Moïra Fowley-Doyle Cover Image
$17.99
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ISBN: 9780525552741
Published: Kathy Dawson Books - August 27th, 2019

Like a Love Story By Abdi Nazemian Cover Image
$15.99
ISBN: 9780062839374
Availability: Not Currently In-Store; May require 2-3 days before shipping
Published: Balzer + Bray - May 5th, 2020

One of my favorite books of 2019, Like a Love Story follows an Iranian boy new to the big city, an aspiring fashion designer who's uncle, a fixture of the LGBTQ+ community, is battling AIDS, and the out and proud son of a conservative family documenting the AIDS crisis through his art and how their lives all intersect. It'll make you laugh, it'll make you cry, and you'll love every minute.

 


The Devouring Gray By C. L. Herman Cover Image
$9.99
ISBN: 9781368042314
Availability: Not Currently In-Store; May require 2-3 days before shipping
Published: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers - March 3rd, 2020

Centuries of familial magic, a mysterious forest monster, and a whole lot of dysfunctional teenagers, this duology is a perfecct binge read. A bit cheesy and cliche at times, I absolutely loved my time spent with these books and the Hawthornes, the Carlisles, the Saunders, and the Sullivans.

 


The Gravity of Us By Phil Stamper Cover Image
$17.99
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ISBN: 9781547600144
Published: Bloomsbury YA - February 4th, 2020

Me Myself & Him By Chris Tebbetts Cover Image
$17.99
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ISBN: 9781524715229
Published: Delacorte Press - July 9th, 2019

There are two parallel timelines in this book. Yes, it's weird. 


Juliet Takes a Breath By Gabby Rivera Cover Image
$17.99
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ISBN: 9780593108178
Published: Dial Books - September 17th, 2019

Late to the Party By Kelly Quindlen Cover Image
$17.99
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ISBN: 9781250209139
Published: Roaring Brook Press - April 21st, 2020

This is, first and foremost, a book about finding yourself. It follows seventeen-year-old Codi the summer before her senior year in which she decides to learn if there's more than just her nightly movie parties with her two best friends, Jakory and Maritza. What ensues is a few great parties, some awesome new friends, and of course, plenty of drama. 

 


When the Moon Was Ours: A Novel By Anna-Marie McLemore Cover Image
$10.99
ISBN: 9781250160102
Availability: Not Currently In-Store; May require 2-3 days before shipping
Published: Wednesday Books - February 13th, 2018

Anna-Marie McLemore is an absolute master of queer magical realism. Any of their books are fantastic, but as this is the one I'm currently reading, this is the one that's on my mind at the moment. It's about a girl who has flowers that grow out of her wrists and the sisters who want to steal them. Need I say more?

 


Music from Another World By Robin Talley Cover Image
$18.99
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ISBN: 9781335146779
Published: Inkyard Press - March 31st, 2020

Set in summer 1977, this story follows two penpals confiding in each other about their lives, their secrets, and their identities. This book does have a heavy dose of homophobia rooted in religion, so if that's something you don't want to read about, this may be one to pass on. 


Felix Ever After By Kacen Callender Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9780062820259
Availability: Not Currently In-Store; May require 2-3 days before shipping
Published: Balzer + Bray - May 5th, 2020

We Are the Ants By Shaun David Hutchinson Cover Image
$12.99
ISBN: 9781481449649
Availability: Not Currently In-Store; May require 2-3 days before shipping
Published: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers - May 16th, 2017

This story does deal with heavier topics such as depression and suicide, but also has a healthy dose of aliens. Reader caution is advised, but if you're in the right headspace for something a little heavier, this book is fantastic.


Summer of Salt By Katrina Leno Cover Image
$10.99
ISBN: 9780062493682
Availability: Not Currently In-Store; May require 2-3 days before shipping
Published: HarperTeen - June 9th, 2020

Only Mostly Devastated: A Novel By Sophie Gonzales Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9781250315892
Availability: Not Currently In-Store; May require 2-3 days before shipping
Published: Wednesday Books - March 3rd, 2020

It's a LGBTQ+ Grease retelling and it's an absolute blast. That's all you need to know.


Her Royal Highness (Royals #2) By Rachel Hawkins Cover Image
$11.99
ISBN: 9781524738280
Availability: Not Currently In-Store; May require 2-3 days before shipping
Published: Penguin Books - May 12th, 2020