Black LGBTQ+ YA Books to Read During Pride Month

Too often, when Pride Month reading lists are made, Black authors and characters are left off the list. This problem goes deeper than just reading lists, though. It’s well documented that there’s a diversity problem in the publishing industry. Since Pride started with the Stonewall Riots, largely lead by trans women of color, it’s only fitting we celebrate them as well. As you’re celebrating Pride this month, include some of these Black LGBTQ+ young adult books on your list!

I’ve bought a lot of these books to read this month, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the ones I’ve read so far. If you’re looking for other books to read for Pride Month, head on over to my Instagram account! I’ve been featuring great books all month.

Black LGBTQ+ YA Books

All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson

This is a serious of personal essays by George M. Johnson chronically his experience growing up Black and gay. Johnson explores a large variety of topics throughout his essays, including gender identity, toxic masculinity, brotherhood, family, consent, and Black joy. An important discussion needed to be had in the YA genre.

The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta

Micheal is a mixed race, gay teen growing up in England, struggling to figure out where he fits in. He doesn’t find it until he gets to university, where he stumbles upon the drag society. It’s there that Michael finally feels like he can be himself. Told in verse, this novel explores the journey to finding the place where you fit in.

Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender

Felix is desperate to know what it’s like to be in love. But being Black, transgender, and queer, love has been difficult to come by. When he starts getting transphobic messages from an anonymous source–and is also publicly deadnamed–he decides on a plan for revenge. What he didn’t expect is that this plan might just land him in love.

You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson

Liz always believed that she was too Black and too poor and too awkward to really make it in her small hometown in Indiana. Her plan includes attending Pennington college, joining the orchestra, and becoming a doctor. When her financial aid falls through, becoming prom queen might be the only way to make her dreams come true. If she doesn’t fall for the competition, first.

Let’s Talk About Love by Claire Kann

Alice’s summer was going to be awesome. At least, until her girlfriend broke up with her after coming out as asexual. Now, Alice is officially done with dating. That is, until she meets Takumi. Now, she has the butterflies that come from a rom-com worthy romance. Is Alice ready to chance their friendship on feelings that might not be reciprocated?

The Stars and the Blackness Between Them by Junauda Petrus

Audre is being sent from Trinidad to the Minneapolis because her strict, religious mother caught her with her girlfriend. Meanwhile in Minneapolis, Mabel is trying to figure out her feelings for her ex and her friend Jada as a vague illness plagues her. Their world’s collide when both of their fathers get together after Audre arrives from Trinidad. They fall for each other, but both of their futures are uncertain.

Pet by Akwaeke Emezi

All of the monsters have been eradicated from Lucille–or so everyone things. When Jam accidentally brings a creature to life from her mother’s painting, Pet, it tells her that it has a monster to hunt. A monster that’s hiding in her best friend’s house. Jam must put aside everything she believed in order to save her best friend and his family.

Odd One Out by Nic Stone

Courtney “Coop” Cooper has been in love with his best friend Jupiter for as long as he can remember. Even though she’s a lesbian. When Rae, the new girl, enters the picture, he’s at first jealous of her close relationship with Jupiter. But then the two bond over a traumatic memory from childhood. Now, the three are stuck with feelings about each other with no way to move forward. Who will be the odd one out?

Running with Lions by Julian Winters

Sebastian Hughes should be excited about his senior year. He’s got everything going for him, plus a soccer coach that doesn’t make them hide their sexuality. When his childhood friend Emir shows up out of the blue, he realizes his team might be in danger. As he tries to amend things with Emir, something more than friendship starts to spark between them.

A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney

After almost losing her life to a Nightmare, Alice trains to battle the monstrous creatures that live in Wonderland. The real world isn’t as simple as Alice juggles her overprotective mom, a high-maintenance best friend, and her grades. When Alice’s mentor is poisoned, the only way to find the antidote is to go further into Wonderland than she’s ever gone before.

The Good Luck Girls by Charlotte Nicole Davis

Aster, Violet, Tansy, Clementine, and Mallow are known as the Good Luck Girls, but their life has been anything but. They were sold to a welcome house and branded with a curse. When Clementine accidentally kills someone, the five girls go on the run. In order to survive, they’re relying on an old story that might not even be true. But it’s their only way to freedom.

The Weight of the Stars by K. Ancrum

Ryann has always wanted to travel across the stars, but these dreams aren’t an option for a girl in a trailer park on the wrong side of town. After meeting Alexandria, Ryann learns that her mother is on a one way trip to the edge of the solar system. Ryann helps her day after day to try to get a radio signal from her mother as their relationship slowly evolves into something more.

Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett

As an HIV positive teen, Simone Garcia-Hampton is starting over at a new school. Here, she’s making a name for herself, but still living in fear that the truth will get out. As things get serious with Miles, she knows she’ll have to tell him the truth. But it turns out that someone else already knows. And if Simone doesn’t comply with their demands, everyone else will know too.

The Black Veins by Ashia Monet

Blythe is one of seven guardians who have the ability to cause a catastrophic world event with the snap of her fingers. At the moment, Blythe only makes lattes at her family’s coffee show, so her powers seem unimportant. Things change when magicians crash into their coffee shop and kidnap her family. In order to save them, she has to enlist the help of the other seven guardians across the United States.

Coming Soon!

Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron

It’s been 200 years since Cinderella found her prince and the fairy tale is over. Girls are now required to attend an annual ball where they will be found worthy of being a wife or not. If they aren’t chosen, they are never heard from again. Sophia would rather marry her best friend Erin, so she flees instead. There, she meets Constance, the last known descendant of Cinderella. She’s ready to bring down the kingdom. Will Sophia follow her?