Teens Read

Gay/Lesbian and Questioning Identity

Click on the book images below for catalog, holding, and location information.

Burroughs, Augusten

Running With Scissors: A Memoir
304 p. (grades 10-12)

At 13, Augusten's unstable mother allows him to be adopted by her therapist. Unfortunately, the home is a madhouse with an ancient shock therapy machine, free drugs, and the therapist's own dysfunctional family. How can he survive?

Dreschler, Debbie

The Summer of Love
Graphic Novel, unpaged. (grades 10-12)

When Lily's family moves into a new town, not only does she have to deal with being the "new girl" to some older boys, she discovers her sister's secret romance as well.

Ferris, Jean

Eight Seconds
186 p. (grades 9-12)

18-year-old John goes to rodeo camp and confronts his own sexuality.

Freymann-Weyr, Garnet

My Heartbeat
260 p. (grades 7-12)

Ellen has a crush on James, her brother's best friend. Later, her friend Adena says that her brother Link and James are a couple. A frank, upbeat story about love, family, and the uncertainty of sexual identity.

Lowenthal, Michael

Avoidance
255 p. (grades 9-12)

Jeremy, assistant director at a home for troubled teens, confronts his own sexual confusion while counseling a 14-year-old with a tragic family history.

Mastoon, Adam

The Shared Heart: Portraits and Stories Celebrating Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Young People
87 p. (grades 8+)

Meet young people from all walks of life—artists, class presidents, athletes—and their families, and learn their true stories through photos and first-person accounts about the challenges of growing up gay.

Myracle, Lauren

Kissing Kate
198 p. (grades 9-12)

Two long-time friends try to sort out their feelings and redefine their relationship after a kiss.

Orloff, Alvin

I Married an Earthling
254 p. (grades 8+)

Chester is a gay non-conformist with acne and a perfect brother who is also a TV star. Every day is another round of humiliation for him. Then everything changes when visitors from Norvex 7 come to earth.

Plum-Ucci, Carol

What Happened to Lani Garver
328 p. (grades 9-12)

Claire's friends can't tell if the new girl Lani is male or famale. Claire, who's battling leukemia and an eating disorder, suspects Lani may be an androgynous "floating angel" sent to help people in need.

Reynolds, Marilyn

Love Rules
269 p. (grades 8+)

Lynn is uncomfortable when her best friend Kit comes out as a lesbian, but rallies to her support when Kit becomes a target of prejudice and hate.

Ryan, Sara

Empress of the World
213 p. (grades 9-12)

At a summer program for gifted students, Nicola is confused by her feelings for another girl.

Sanchez, Alex

Rainbow Boys
233 p. (grades 10+)

Jason, an athlete with a girlfriend, studious Kyle, and flamboyant loner Nelson all have something in common—each one is gay and trying to deal with coming out, first sex, gay bashers, and family issues.

Selvadurai, Shyam

Funny Boy: A Novel
310 p. (grades 11-12)

The second son of a priviledged Sri Lankan family struggles to accept his "different" identity.

Van Meter, Jen, et al

Hopeless Savages: Ground Zero
Graphic Novel, unpaged. (grades 10-12)

Continuing in the family saga of a British punk rock family living in suburbia: Ground Zero follows the youngest siblings, Skank Zero and Arsenal's love lives and the effect of a reality TV show catching everything on tape.

Wittlinger, Ellen

Hard Love
244 p. (grades 9-12)

Suppose you've just met the girl of your dreams. She's perfect for you, except for one little thing: she's gay and you're not a girl.

Compiled by Teen Services Librarians November 2003.