Tag: Queer

Best Fiction for Young Adults (#BFYA2027) Featured Review: Season of Fear by Emily Cooper

  • Season of Fear
  • by Emily Cooper
  • Christy Ottaviano Books
  • Publication Date: September 2, 2025
  • ISBN: 978-0316581639

Ilse has known since childhood that she was different from the other girls and women in Heulensee; even her own mother looks at her differently. When the time comes to perform her rite in worship of the Saint of Fear, Ilse is unable to conjure the necessary terror within herself to satisfy the Saint that protects the town. Her failure puts her entire family in danger, particularly her sister Thea, whose life is threatened by the Saint as punishment for Ilse’s failure. When the town turns against her, she flees into the Hexenwald, a forest from which nobody returns. With her sister’s life hanging in the balance, Ilse must confront her true nature to survive the Hexenwald and save her sister.

Season of Fear is a high-stakes dark fantasy with strong, well-developed characters and a fast-moving plot. While the main storyline focuses on Ilse’s bid to save her sister, the action-packed plot incorporates a compelling Sapphic romance as a strong subplot. 

Readers who enjoy rooting for strong, but believably flawed female main characters and don’t mind a bit of gory violence will devour this thrilling tale. Read-Alikes include My Throat an Open Grave by Tori Bovalino and A Girl Walks Into the Forest by Madeleine Roux.

-Katy Henderson 

Follow YALSA’s The Hub on YouTube for exclusive author interviews!

Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers (#QP2027) Feature Review: One Word, Six Letters by Adib Khorram

When Dayton takes a dare and shouts the f slur at a visiting author, the fallout is immediate and severe. Dayton receives a 3 day in school suspension. His friends stop speaking to him. The fallout also affects Farshid who is questioning his sexuality. Farshid is also dealing with anxiety and body dysmorphia issues which are exacerbated by the use of the f slur. 

A powerful novel and a great read. Khorram shows how one poor choice can spiral and how slurs used while “just joking” cause harm. The story is told from a dual POV, However, the chapters are clearly labelled enabling the reader to know which character is speaking. Khorram skillfully and sensitively deals with the issues of body dysmorphia , toxic masculinity and being different from your peers. Short chapters and a fast moving plot make this a great Quick Pick!

Similar titles include Here to Stay by Sarah Farizan and Dragging Curtis County by Curtis Campbell. 

–Beth Slade

Check out of interview with the author of One Word, Six Letters Adib Khorram!

Best Fiction for Young Adults (#BFYA2026) Featured Review: His Face is the Sun by Michelle Jabes Corpora

Four characters from seemingly different parts of this world find themselves joining up to challenge a tyrannical king and an undead entity. Each of them brings something special to the team from the gift of foresight, to thievery, strength and courage.

This book is beautiful book making with a vibrant cover and sprayed edges that will automatically have readers gravitating towards it. This is based on Egyptian myths that are explored through each of these characters who all play a part in a prophecy determined thousands of years before they existed. The novel starts with introducing where each person comes from and the challenges that they face due to their birthrights. Sita is the princess with two brothers who could both be the next king as their father’s health is fading fast. Rae seems to have been born fighting and is constantly in a physical scuffle defending herself or justice. Neff has an ability that she doesn’t quite understand, but her visions continue to come to life. And Karim survives as a tomb robber who may inadvertently wake a dark force that sets their adventure into motion.

Readers who enjoy epic adventures, world building and mythology retellings will enjoy this book. This is for fans of Heir by Sabaa Tahir, or Fearless by Lauren Roberts.

-Jessica Lorentz Smith

The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the title suggestion form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.

Each week, the teams feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation are listed as well. At year’s end, the team will curate a final list from all nominated titles and select a Top Ten.
The Best Fiction for Young Adults Committee appreciates teen feedback as members evaluate the nominated titles. Teen librarians are encouraged to share the List of Potential Nominees under consideration with their patrons and solicit feedback using the link: tinyurl.com/bfya2026

Best Fiction for Young Adults (#BFYA2026) Featured Review: These Vengeful Gods by Gabe Cole Novoa

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After surviving the god-sanctioned massacre of their people, Crow has spent years hiding the fact that they are a Deathchild – a descendant of the god of Death. Knowing discovery would mean death in their society, Crow stays as under the radar as possible, concealing their magic and competing in underground fight events to earn money. But when their uncles are arrested for allegedly aiding other Deathchildren in hiding, Crow’s only hope of freeing them is to do the unthinkable: compete in the deadly Tournament of the Gods.

These Vengeful Gods is a compelling addition to the dystopian genre, with multifaceted characters and a well-paced storyline that builds suspense. Deftly weaving in modern social concerns, Crew and their friends navigate systemic class inequality, transphobia, and discrimination. The world-building, magic systems, and mythology are imaginative and interesting. The diverse characters of Crew’s found family are engaging and relatable, as is Crew’s navigation of their identity and place in the world.

Readers who enjoy mythology retellings with magical worldbuilding will enjoy this title, as will fans of strong dystopian stories featuring a sense of mystery and rebellion. These Vengeful Gods would be an excellent title for readers who enjoyed dystopian stories that explore strictly separated class societies, such as The Hunger Games. The mythology elements will also appeal to fans of reimagined mythology like Ballad and Dagger or other titles from Rick Riordan imprints.

– Erica Schimmel

The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the title suggestion form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.

Each week, the teams feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation are listed as well. At year’s end, the team will curate a final list from all nominated titles and select a Top Ten.
The Best Fiction for Young Adults Committee appreciates teen feedback as members evaluate the nominated titles. Teen librarians are encouraged to share the List of Potential Nominees under consideration with their patrons and solicit feedback using the link: tinyurl.com/bfya2026

Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers (#QP2026) Feature Review: One of the Boys by Victoria Zeller

  • One of the Boys
  • by Victoria Zeller
  • Levine Querido
  • Publication Date: May 13, 2025
  • ISBN: 9781646145027

Former star football kicker Grace is struggling to settle into her senior year of high school after coming out as trans when her former teammates offer her an opportunity to rejoin the team. Grace navigates tough choices between her new life and new friends and all the things she misses about her former life – including and especially football – while confronting anti-trans behavior from classmates and the world at large as news of her decision to play gets out.

This is an exceptionally timely and important tale that is grounded in relatability and a whole lot of heart. Grace is a complicated character who often makes the “wrong” choice, which makes her that much more likeable and appealing to a wide range of teen readers. The author uses sometimes sarcastic, sometimes frank language that feels authentic to the teen experience. Grace is surrounded by a compelling group of secondary characters, including a wide array of queer teens exploring their own paths. The book’s suburban setting – at times more progressive than you’d expect and at times painfully transphobic – might appeal to queer teens outside of more diverse, urban environments (where many stories of queer teens take place). But Grace’s – and the author Victoria Zeller’s – love for football is the real standout here; Grace’s dedication to the sport and her teammates is infectious, and the author does a superb job of capturing its essence for fans but also making it appealing, exciting and clear for non-sports fans as well. 

A wide range of teens will like this book – sports fans, queer teens, and fans of realistic stories about senior year. Give to fans of recent sports books like Byron Graves’ Rez Ball or shows like Friday Night Lights and All American. This title would also appeal to fans of books about the trans experience like Meredith Russo’s If I Was Your Girl and Alex Gino’s Melissa.

–Maryanne O.

Amazing Audiobooks (#AA2026) Featured Review: Nobody in Particular by Sophie Gonzale

  • Nobody in Particular
  • by Sophie Gonzale
  • Narrated by Gail Shalan & Imani Jade Powers
  • Macmillan Audio
  • Publication date: June 3, 2025
  • ISBN: 9781250402790

Danni is newly transplanted to Henland, and has earned a scholarship to the prestigious Bramppath College where she meets – and immediately falls for – Princess Rosemary. Rose has known forever that she’s queer, but duty to her country and family means that she’s hiding deep in the closet. Henland is strongly Catholic, and actions that led to the death of one of her friends means that Rose’s popularity with her people is already strained. The two face even more challenges than the usual Sapphic or Royal romance couple, but persevere to a happily-at-least-for-now ending.

Gail Shalan and Imani Jade Powers work well together, incorporating each others’ voices in their portrayals of all the characters, and keeping all the characters consistent in both their sections, making the book a cohesive listening experience. There are a variety of accents and ages which they manage to keep consistent throughout. Each reads with pathos without ever tipping into melodrama.

Royal romances are a perennial favorite, and fans of this genre will enjoy this as well. Give this book to readers who loved Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo for the budding romance that goes against the mores of their community. If your readers loved The Princess Match by Clare Lydon then they will enjoy this as well.

-Lynda Salem Poling

Great Graphic Novels (#GGN2026) Featured Review: This Place Kills Me by Mariko Tamaki, Illustrated by Nicole Go

When Abby transferred to the elite Wilberton Academy, she never expected she would be pulled into a murder mystery. But after the school’s beloved theater star Elizabeth is found dead in the woods, Abby feels compelled to investigate. She was the last person to see Elizabeth alive, and something about their final conversation doesn’t sit right. Though authorities rule the death a suicide, Abby isn’t convinced. With the help of her roommate, she begins to dig into the secrets lurking beneath Wilberton’s polished surface. What she finds is a disturbing web of drugs, manipulation, and abuse of power. A suspenseful, stylish exploration of truth, power, and the masks we wear to protect ourselves.

Told through a mix of comics, letters, diary entries, and news clippings, the story unfolds with tension and a cinematic flair. Tamaki’s writing is razor-sharp, blending emotional depth with biting commentary on privilege and performance. Goux’s illustrations elevate every twist, capturing both the haunting beauty of Wilberton and the creeping dread that something is very wrong beneath the surface.

Those looking for more stylish, atmospheric mystery graphic novels should try Squad by Maggie Tokuda-Hall; illustrated by Lisa Sterle, and The Faint of Heart by Kerilynn Wilson. Another graphic novel that centers an enemy-to-friend’s plot with stark illustrations is Pixels of You by Ananth Hirsh and Yuko Ota; illustrated by J.R. Doyle.

—Rachel Adams

Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers (#QP2026) Feature Review: How to Survive a Slasher by Justine Pucella Winans


17-year-old Cassiopeia Jane Smith (CJ) and their 13-year-old brother Orion live in Satterfield, OH, rebranded as Slasherville, infamous for the Wolf Man murders. In 1996, CJ’s father escaped the first Wolf Man as a teen but died years later, protecting sole survivors CJ and Orion from the second Wolf Man. Now, their mother trains all four of the Smith children in self-defense in case the Wolf Man should ever return. It seems unlikely until an unpublished manuscript arrives at CJ’s door, predicting a third Wolf Man and more gruesome murders.

How to Survive a Slasher is deliciously meta. Genderfluid and queer-identifying CJ’s humorous first-person POV and the secondary characters provide opportunities for exploring themes of identity and family connection. There is plenty of foreshadowing and twists and turns too, so that even readers who skip to the conclusion will find surprises along the way.

Fans of slasher horror films and webcomics will appreciate the book’s references to pop culture and plays on familiar genre tropes. Similar titles include You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron and Rest in Peaches by Alex Brown.

–Gail Zachariah

Love Horror Reads? Check Our Our Interview with Kalynn Bayron!

Best Fiction for Young Adults (#BFYA2026) Featured Review: Lucy, Uncensored by Mel Hammond and Teghan Hammond

  • Lucy, Uncensored
  • by Mel Hammond and Teghan Hammond
  • Publisher: Penguin Knopf
  • Release date: October 8th, 2024
  • ISBN: 9780593814055

Best friends Lucy and Callie dream of leaving their small town and enrolling in a college drama program. But when they encounter bigotry on their campus visit, they decide to set off on a road trip to explore other options. To Lucy’s surprise, she gravitates toward a women’s college far from home. As far as she can tell, the school seems open and accepting, but they’ve never accepted a trans woman before. Will she be the first?

Throughout the book the main characters were age-appropriately chaotic: they forget to submit important assignments, lose their belongings, and disappoint themselves and each other. They’re trying so hard, but they can’t quite keep it all together. This felt authentic to the teen experience. Their dialogue felt authentic as well. Lucy and Callie don’t always know what to say, and neither do their parents or teachers, but they’re ultimately trying to be supportive and honest. This heartfelt messiness was refreshing.

Readers will appreciate the representation of the trans experience. At only about 250 pages, Lucy, Uncensored is packed with (theater) drama, but Lucy’s happiness takes center stage. Lucy encounters transphobic jerks, navigates her relationship with her dad, and experiences exhaustion in her journey as an advocate—but she also experiences joy and self-fulfillment.

A teen reader interested in drama would enjoy this, but it would also appeal to many teen readers who are discovering their paths, navigating the college admissions process, or just want a short, funny, yet heartfelt coming-of-age story. Readers might also enjoy A Whole Song and Dance by Sarvenaz Tash or Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy.

– Carolyn Vidmar

The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the title suggestion form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.

Each week, the teams feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation are listed as well. At year’s end, the team will curate a final list from all nominated titles and select a Top Ten.
The Best Fiction for Young Adults Committee appreciates teen feedback as members evaluate the nominated titles. Teen librarians are encouraged to share the List of Potential Nominees under consideration with their patrons and solicit feedback using the link: tinyurl.com/bfya2026

Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers (#QP2026) Feature Review: Run Away With Me by Brian Selznick

Danny is spending his sixteenth summer in Rome while his mother works on a special project in a museum. He meets a secretive boy named Angelo, who quickly becomes his friend. They spend the rest of the summer exploring Rome, learning about each other, and falling in love.

Run Away With Me has an eye-catching cover, and the book contains beautiful drawings of Rome within. The plot and themes are relatable for many teenagers. The book covers isolation, depression, confusion about one’s sexuality, and falling in love and having to lose that love. The pacing of the book is very quick, however. Readers will become just as intrigued with Angelo as Danny is, and their hearts will be aching by the end as well.

Give this book to teens who are looking for a first romance book, or those who are looking for a good “ugly cry.” Comparable titles include What If It’s Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz, and Bloom by Kevin Panetta.

––Jacqueline Bush