LibGuides: Rainbow List 2019- LGBTQ+ for Teens: Home

About the Rainbow Book List

"The Rainbow Book List Committee is proud to announce the 2019 Rainbow Book List. The List is a curated bibliography highlighting books with significant gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer/questioning content, aimed at children and youth from birth to age 18. This List is intended to aid youth and those working with youth in selecting high-quality books published between July 2017 and December 2018.

As a committee, we evaluated over 400 books and selected 107 titles from over two dozen different publishers. Starred titles indicate the Rainbow Book List’s Top Ten choices, which are books that the committee considers to be of exceptional merit.

The committee members were overwhelmed by the explosion of content in all age groups. Realistic fiction dominated this year, as well as #ownvoices titles."

YALSA RAINBOW BOOK LIST: https://glbtrt.ala.org/rainbowbooks/archives/1324

LibGuide Creator

Heather Cunningham

Summaries

In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan; Carolyn Nowak (Illustrator)
ISBN: 9781618731203
Publication Date: 2017-08-15
Despite his aversion to war, work, and most people (human or otherwise), teenaged Elliott, a human transported to a fantasy world where he attends a school for warriors and diplomatic advisers, finds that two unlikely ideas, friendship and world peace, may actually be possbile.
Nothing Happened by Molly Booth
ISBN: 9781484753026
Publication Date: 2018-05-15
"Modern-day retelling of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing taking place at an idyllic summer camp where the counselors have to cope with simmering drama"-- Provided by publisher.
Out of the Blue by Sophie Cameron
ISBN: 9781250149916
Publication Date: 2018-05-15
"Set against the backdrop of a society trying to come to grips with the possibility of a world beyond, Sophie Cameron's young adult debut, Out of the Blue, is the story of how one unexpected turn of events can put you on a path toward healing. ... "Google Books
Echo after Echo by Amy Rose Capetta
ISBN: 9780763691646
Publication Date: 2017-10-10
Theater and murder! A lovely queer novel that isn't a coming-out story or a tragedy. An elegant love story incorporating a haunting mystery and a compelling exploration of the power dynamics of gender, age, race and professional status.
Learning Seventeen by Brooke Carter
ISBN: 9781459815537
Publication Date: 2018-01-16
In this high-interest novel for teen readers, Jane finds her soulmate at a Baptist reform school.
The Pros of Cons by Alison Cherry; Lindsay Ribar; Michelle Schusterman
ISBN: 9781338151725
Publication Date: 2018-03-27
Three girls become fast friends when brought together by a random mix-up in the hotel lobby playing host to three separate conventions.
Sam and Ilsa's Last Hurrah by Rachel Cohn; David Levithan
ISBN: 9780399553844
Publication Date: 2018-04-10
When twins Sam and Ilsa throw one last party before they graduate from high school, they add a twist, each sibling gets to invite three guests and the other won't know until they show up.
Top Ten by Katie Cotugno
ISBN: 9780062418302
Publication Date: 2017-10-03
Ryan McCullough and Gabby Hart are the unlikeliest of best friends. Prickly, anxious Gabby would rather do literally anything than go to a party. Ultra-popular Ryan is a hockey star who can get any girl he wants and frequently does. But somehow their relationship just works; from dorky Monopoly nights to rowdy house parties to the top ten lists they make about everything under the sun.
Inkmistress by Audrey Coulthurst
ISBN: 9780062433282
Publication Date: 2018-03-06
Asra is a demigod with a dangerous gift: the ability to dictate the future by writing with her blood. To keep her power secret, she leads a quiet life as a healer on a remote mountain, content to help the people in her care and spend time with Ina, the mortal girl she loves.
Ace of Shades by Amanda Foody
ISBN: 9781335692290
Publication Date: 2018-04-10
New Reynes -- the City of Sin -- is no place for a proper young lady like Enne, who had to leave finishing school early to pursue her missing mother with only one name as a clue. ... Google Books
I Have Lost My Way by Gayle Forman
ISBN: 9780425290774
Publication Date: 2018-03-27
A heart-wrenching and powerful YA story about friendship and finding yourself from award-winning, bestselling author, Gayle Forman.
Chaotic Good by Whitney Gardner
Call Number: B Dunham
ISBN: 9781524720803
Publication Date: 2018-03-13
Cameron wants only to complete her costume portfolio in peace, but when a trip to the local comic shop results in a hostile reception from a male employee, she returns disguised as a boy at her twin brother's suggestion and finds herself drafted into a D&D campaign.
Picture Us in the Light by Kelly Loy Gilbert
ISBN: 9781484726020
Publication Date: 2018-04-10
Daniel, a Chinese-American teen, must grapple with his plans for the future, his feelings for his best friend Harry, and his discovery of a family secret that could shatter everything.
It's Not Like It's a Secret by Misa Sugiura
Call Number: 920 Bau
ISBN: 9780062473417
Publication Date: 2017-05-09
When her family moves to California, Sana falls for the beautiful and smart Jamie Ramirez but struggles with differences between their diverse friend groups, a boy's sweet but unrequited affection, and her father's increasingly obvious affair.
Social Intercourse by Greg Howard
ISBN: 9781481497817
Publication Date: 2018-06-05
Told from both viewpoints, Beckett Gaines, an out-and-proud choir member, and star quarterback Jaxon Parker team up to derail the budding romance between their parents.
The Apocalypse of Elena Mendoza by Shaun David Hutchinson
ISBN: 9781481498548
Publication Date: 2018-02-06
Elena, the first scientifically confirmed virgin birth, acquires the ability to heal by touch at age sixteen, the same year that people start disappearing in beams of light, causing her to wonder if she is bringing about the Apocalypse.
Lizzie by Dawn Ius
ISBN: 9781481490764
Publication Date: 2018-04-10
A modern-day reimagining of the story of Lizzie Borden, casting her as a shy seventeen-year-old whose blackouts become worse after her father and stepmother try to prevent her from studying to be a chef.
Fire Song by Adam Garnet Jones
ISBN: 9781554519781
Publication Date: 2018-03-13
How can Shane reconcile his feelings for David with his desire for a better life?

Shane is still reeling from the suicide of his kid sister, Destiny. How could he have missed the fact that she was so sad? He tries to share his grief with his girlfriend, Tara, but she's too concerned with her own needs to offer him much comfort. What he really wants is to be able to turn to the one person
Let's Talk about Love by Claire Kann
ISBN: 9781250136121
Publication Date: 2018-01-23
In this young adult novel, Alice, afraid of explaining her asexuality, has given up on finding love until love finds her.
The Gallery of Unfinished Girls by Lauren Karcz
ISBN: 9780062467775
Publication Date: 2017-07-25
Mercedes Moreno hasn’t been able to paint in a year, her abuela is in a coma, and she has an unrequited crush on her best friend, Victoria. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she visits the Red Mangrove Estate: a magical space where art can be created but can never leave.
Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram
ISBN: 9780525552963
Publication Date: 2018-08-28
Darius struggles with bullies, depression, and his weight. When he goes to Iran for the first time, Darius makes connections to his Persian heritage and forges a friendship with neighbor Sohrab.
The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee
ISBN: 9780062795328
Publication Date: 2018-10-02
Felicity Montague wants to become a doctor, but the men of 18th century Edinburgh and London won’t have her. She decides to appeal to her medical hero, but to do so she must reconcile with her childhood best friend, leading to adventures and intrigue across Europe.
Reign of the Fallen by Sarah Glenn Marsh
ISBN: 9780448494395
Publication Date: 2018-01-23
Karthia is ruled by untouchable dead royals, and Odessa, a necromancer, must traverse the land of the dead and uncover the truth when a series of attacks reveal that whole kingdom is in jeopardy.
The Unbinding of Mary Reade by Miriam McNamara
ISBN: 9781510727052
Publication Date: 2018-06-19
Mary Reade dresses as a man to sneak into a life of piracy but is stunned when she meets Anne Bonny, a pirate who is not afraid to hide her gender. Mary deals with her gender dysphoria, strong feelings for Anne, and sexual identity as she tries to survive.
Mask of Shadows by Linsey Miller
ISBN: 9781492647492
Publication Date: 2017-08-29
Seeking revenge on the nobles responsible for the destruction of their people, genderfluid pickpocket Sal decides to audition for a position on the Queen’s Left Hand, Her Majesty’s royal assassins. The competition is fierce, and the body count is high.
Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan; James Patterson (Foreword by)
ISBN: 9780316561365
Publication Date: 2018-11-06
In a fantasy world where there are humans, demons, and human-demons, Lei is forcibly taken to become a concubine to the demon king. She must survive violence and rape with her fellow courtesans, who learn to reclaim themselves and fight for their freedom.
Heart of Iron by Ashley Poston
ISBN: 9780062652850
Publication Date: 2018-02-27
Ana and her found family of thieves make a living doing whatever jobs they can get when Ana’s best friend D09 needs her help. In a desperate bid to save him, she meets a rich, spoiled Ironblood, and together they track down a ship that may have all the answers they need.
Pulp by Robin Talley
ISBN: 9781335012906
Publication Date: 2018-11-13
In the present day, Abby is a high school senior dealing with lingering romantic feelings for her best friend/ex-girlfriend. In 1955, Janet must hide her relationship with her best friend Marie even though she knows there is nothing wrong with their love. Both Abby and Janet find solace in the lesbian pulp novels they read.
The Beauty That Remains by Ashley Woodfolk
Call Number: 814 Bai
ISBN: 9781524715878
Publication Date: 2018-03-06
Unexpected catastrophic loss brings together Autumn, Shay, and Logan: Autumn has lost her best friend, Shay has lost her twin sister, and Logan has lost his ex-boyfriend. Told in alternating perspectives, these three unite through a shared love of music.

Rainbow List 2019- LGBTQ+ for Teens: Home

Highlights

About the Rainbow Book List

LibGuide Creator

Summaries