Lesbian Young Adult Fiction

Hey, Dollface by Deborah Hautzig
A short and charming story about two girls
who become close enough friends to
blur the boundaries, and how their families react.

This is a complete (or as close as possible) list of all the lesbian young adult fiction currently published. As far as I know, it's the only one in existence (if there's another, I wish I'd found it while searching for all these titles!).

Lesbian (and bisexual) girls have tragically little young adult fiction to themselves. According to recent research by YA author Malinda Lo, about 0.25% of published YA books in the US are about lesbians. And yet, for such a short list of works, it was surprisingly hard to track them all down - there are plenty of GLBT YA lists, but these tend not to actually separate out the lesbian books, and to be dominated by gay male stories.

We're working on actually categorising and describing the individual books further, but it's a fairly major project. 

Some of the books below don't have a lesbian main character - but they do have lesbian secondary characters (e.g. a mother) and much of the plot is about the main character dealing with this. Pretty Little Liars is there twice, because the original series and the television series differ, but both have a bisexual or lesbian character. There are also a handful of books for which I had to make a judgement call about whether they were actually 'young adult'. If you know of any other books that should be here, please let us know! (Currently, there are about 120 titles. Give or take a couple of miscounts. This number keeps changing as we add and remove books). And as you can see from the publication dates, the vast, vast majority were published in the last ten years.

Note: if the lesbianism is too ambiguous (i.e. mostly or all subtext as in Violet & Claire) or the lesbian character/content is too minor (e.g. the frequently cited Tamora Pierce's books. IMO. Though I may have to reread them) they will not be included. That's not to say we won't review them, if only to point out the lack of lesbianism, but this list is reserved for pure, guaranteed lesbian/bisexual characters who get lots of plot attention, not books where you have to draw up a checklist to figure out if it qualifies.

The full list of lesbian YA fiction

• Sparks: The Epic, Completely True Blue, (Almost) Holy Quest of Debbie  by S.J. Adams (2011)
• Wolfcry (Kiesha'ra) by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes (2008)
• Girl from Mars by Tamara Bach (2008)
• In Keisha's Shadow by Sandra Barret (2009)
• Another Life Altogether: A Novel by Elaine Beale (2010)
• Gravel Queen by Tea Benduhn (2003)
• Starting From Here by Lisa Jenn Bigelow (2012)
• My Invented Life by Lauren Bjorkman (2009)   
• The Rose and The Beast: Fairy Tales Retold by Francesca Lia Block (2001)
• Dare Truth or Promise by Paula Boock (2009) [review]
• Crash into Me by Albert Borris  (2009)
• Morning Rising by Samantha Boyette (2011) [review]
• Beauty Queens by Libba Bray (2011)
• S.P. Likes A.D. by Catherine Brett (1990)
• Rubyfruit Jungle by Rita Mae Brown (1983)
• Pages for You: A Novel by Sylvia Brownrigg (2002)
• Visions and Warnings by Kathryn Bundy (2011)
• Sugar Rush by Julie Burchill (2005)
• Santa Olivia by Jacqueline Carey (2009)
• Saints Astray by Jacqueline Carey (2011)
• Out of Left Field: Marlee’s Story by Barbara L. Clanton (2008)
• Hidden Voices: The Orphan Musicians of Venice by Pat Lowery Collins (2009)
• The Sky Always Hears Me: And the Hills Don't Mind by Kirstin Cronn-Mills (2009)
• The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth (2012)   [Review | Guest Review]
• The Trouble with Emily Dickinson by Lyndsey D'Arcangelo (2009)
• Of All the Stupid Things by Alexandra Diaz (2011)
• The Dark Wife by Sarah Diemer  (2011) [review] 
• The Side Door by Jan Donley (2010)
• Kissing the Witch: Old Tales in New Skins by Emma Donoghue (1999) [review]
• Dive by Stacey Donovan (2001)
• Down to the Bone by Mayra Lazara Doyle (2008)
• The Summer of Love by Debbie Drechsler (2003)
• Big Big Sky by Kristyn Dunnion (2008)
• Mosh Pit by Kristyn Dunnion (2004)
• Wildthorn by Jane Eagland (2010)
• Touching Snow by M. Sindy Felin (2011)
• Secrets of Truth and Beauty by Megan Frazer (2009)
• Crush by Jane Futcher (1994)
• Full Court Pressure by Lynn Galli (2010)
• Annie on My Mind by Nancy Garden (1982, republished 2007) [review]
• Good Moon Rising by Nancy Garden (1996, republished 2005)
• Lark in the Morning by Nancy Garden (1991)
• The Year They Burned the Books by Nancy Garden (1999)
• Say the Word by Jeannine Garsee (2009)
• The Difference Between You and Me by Madeleine George (2012)
• I've Known Since I Was Eight by Sophie Glasser (2003)
• The Second Mango by Shira Glassman (2013)
• Hello Groin by Beth Goobie (2006)
• Sister Mischief by Laura Goode (2011)
• Map of Ireland by Stephanie Grant (2008)
• Silhouette of a Sparrow by Molly Beth Griffin (2012)
• Ruby by Rosa Guy (1991, republished 2005)
• Tessa Masterson Will Go to Prom by Brendan Halpin & Emily Franklin (2012)
• I Kiss Girls by Gina Harris (2008)
• Gringa: A Contradictory Girlhood by Melissa Hart (2009)
• Bride of the Soul-Sucking Brain Zombies by Brett Hartinger (2007)
• Hey, Dollface by Deborah Hautzig (1978, republished 2010) [review]
• The Shattering by Karen Healey (2005)
• M+O 4EVR Tonya Hegamin (2008)
• Good Girls Don't by Claire Hennessy (2004)
• Out of the Shadows by Sue Hines (2001)
• Kiss the Morning Star by Elissa Janine Hoole  (2012)
• Perfect by Ellen Hopkins (2011)
• A Love Story Starring My Dead Best Friend by Emily Horner (2010)
• About a Girl by Joanne Horniman (2011)  [review]
• Addie on the Inside by James Howe (2011)
• We're Not Alone by Rik Isensee (2000)
• Country Girl, City Girl by Lisa Jahn-Clough (2009)
• A Map of Home: A Novel by Randa Jarrar (2009)
• The Bermudez Triangle by Maureen Johnson (2007)
• Deliver Us from Evie by M. E. Kerr (1995)
• Pearl by Jo Knowles (2011)
• Fool for Love by Lisa Lees (2005)
• Torn by Amber Lehman (2009)
• I Don't Remember You by Stephanie Lennox (2010)
• Come Out Smiling by Elizabeth Levy (1981)
• The IHOP Papers by Ali Liebegott (2007)
• Gravity by Leanne Lieberman (2008) [review]
• Ash by Malinda Lo (2010)  [review]
• Huntress by Malinda Lo (2011)  [review]
• Crush by Carrie Mac (2006)
• Rosemary and Juliet by Judy MacLean (2004)
• My Tiki Girl by Jennifer McMahon (2008)
• Two Girls by Perihan Magden, translated by Brendan Freely from the Turkish İki Genç Kızın Romanı (2002, 2006)
• Chinese Garden by Rosemary Manning (1962, republished 1999)
• Shockproof Sydney Skate by Marijane Meaker (1972, republished 2002)
• Qualities of Light by Mary Carroll Moore  (2009)
• The Cat Came Back by Hilary Mullins (1993)
• Kissing Kate by Lauren Myracle (2007)
• Crashing America: A Novel by Katia Noyes (2005)
• Staged Life by Lija O’Brien (2008)
• The End by Nora Olsen (2010)
• 365 Days by K.E. Payne (2011)
• me@you.com by K.E. Payne (2012)
• Belinda's Obsession (Not Just Proms & Parties) by Patricia Penny (2007)
• Keeping You a Secret by Julie Anne Peters (2005) [review]
• Far from Xanadu (2005, republished as Pretend You Love Me in 2011) by Julie Anne Peters  [review]
• Between Mom and Jo by Julie Anne Peters (2006)
• grl2grl: Short fictions by Julie Anne Peters (2007)
• Rage: A Love Story by Julie Anne Peters (2010)
• She Loves You, She Loves You Not... by Julie Anne Peters (2011)
• It's Our Prom (So Deal With It) by Julie Anne Peters (2012)
• The Will Of The Empress (Circle Continues) by Tamora Pierce (2008)
• The Suicide Year by Lena Prodan (2009)
• Scars by Cheryl Rainfield (2010)
• Scrivener's Moon by Philip Reeve (2011)
• Tripping to Somewhere by Kristopher Reisz (2010)
• The Necessary Hunger: A Novel by Nina Revoyr (1998)
• Love Rules by Marilyn Reynolds (2001)
• Who I Am by M.L. Rice (2011)
• A Hole in the World by Sophie Robbins (2011) [review]
• Sword Masters by Selina Rosen (2008)
• Empress of the World by Sara Ryan (2003) [review]
• Rules for Hearts by Sara Ryan (2009)
• Living in Secret by Cristina Salat (1999)
• Benediction by Diane Salvatore (2010)
• Boyfriends with Girlfriends by Alex Sanchez (2011)
• Happy Endings Are All Alike: A Novel by Sandra Scoppettone (2000)
• Night Sky Mine by Melissa Scott (1997)
• Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard (2007)
• Pretty Little Liars TV Tie-in Edition by Sara Shepard (2010)
• Letters in the Attic by Bonnie Shimko (2007)
• Coffee Will Make You Black by April Sinclair (1994)
• Name All the Animals: A Memoir by Alison Smith (2004)
• Cursebusters! by Julie Smith (2011)
• Sister Safety Pin by Lorrie Sprecher (1994)
• Homecoming by Nell Stark (2008)
• Becoming Bobbie by R. J. Stevens (2003)
• Inferno by Robin H. Stevenson (2009)
• Tomorrow Wendy: A Love Story by Shelley Stoehr (1998, republished 2003)
• Allison: A Story of First Love by Tatiana Strelkoff (1998)
• Skim by Jillian & Mariko Tamaki (2010) [review]
• Rose of No Man's Land by Michelle Tea (2006)
• The Foul Line by F Thibou (2001)
• The last of Eden by Stephanie S. Tolan (1981)
• What Night Brings by Carla Mari Trujillo (2003)
• Breathing Underwater by Lu Vickers (2007)
• Camphor Laurel - Sarah Walker (1999)
• The Year of Freaking Out by Sarah Walker (apparently out of print) (1997)
• Queer Greer by A.J. Walkley (2012)
• Erik & Isabelle Junior Year at Foresthill High by Kim Wallace (2006)
• Finding H.F.: A Novel by Julia Watts (2001)
• Women's Studies by Julia Watts (2006)
• Bottle Rocket Hearts by Zoe Whittall (2007)
• Pink by Lili Wilkinson (2011)
• Girl Walking Backwards by Bett Williams (1998)
• Love & Lies: Marisol's Story by Ellen Wittlinger (2008)
• Hard Love by Ellen Wittlinger (2001)
• The House You Pass On The Way by Jacqueline Woodson (1997, republished 2010)
• From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun by Jacqueline Woodson (2010)
• Orphea Proud by Sharon Dennis Wyeth (2006)
• Name Me Nobody by Lois-Ann Yamanaka (2000)
• Please Don’t Kill The Freshmen by Zoe Trope (2003)

Quick Genre Count:
No. of titles in each genre. Series are counted as one, and there's at least one series in each category. A couple of books fall into more than one, and are counted in both.

• Contemporary: 91
• Fantasy: 11
• Historical: 11  
• Science Fiction: 4
• Non-lesbian main character: 18 (13 contemporary, 4 historical, 1 historical fantasy)

Breakdowns of the full list above:

• YA Fiction With A Non-Lesbian Main Character (not found in the other lists below)
• The Quick List of Contemporary Lesbian YA Fiction
• Fiction by Country/State
• Lesbian Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction Books
• Historical Lesbian YA Fiction
• Others pending (e.g. coming out,theme). There's lots of books to go through! (suggestions welcome!)

Manga & Other Comics

Most manga that makes it to the English market is for teens, and while rare, some yuri (lesbian) stories do make it. We've got a list of yuri manga that has been published in English. There are also a few lesbian graphic novels, which are generally appreciated by teenagers, though the specifically Young Adult titles are already in the list above.

Transgender YA Books

Like bisexual fiction, transgender, intersexed, and gender identity books are just as likely to be about girls as boys, if they're about any identity in particular. There's also no reason that a transgender or otherwise genderfluid teen can't also be lesbian, or think they are. There aren't many YA books on transgender people anyway, so they might as well be included here.

The full post about Transgender YA books (complete with summaries and a breakdown by identity): Transgender Young Adult Fiction (Also Genderqueer, Intersex, Cross- Dressing and So On) 

The quick booklist:

• Almost Perfect by Brian Katcher (2010)
• The Bone Doll's Twin (Tamir Trilogy, Book 1) (2001) (and sequels, Hidden Warrior and The Oracle's Queen) by Llynn Flewelling
•  Boy2Girl by Terence Blacker (2005)
• The Boy in the Dress by David Walliams (2019)
• The Butterfly and the Flame by Dana De Young (2011)
• Choir boy by Charlie Anders (2005)
• Cycler (and sequel, Recycler) by Lauren McLaughlin (2009) 
• Debbie Harry Sings in French by Meagan Brothers (2008)
• The End by Nora Olsen (2010)
• f2m: The Boy Within by Hazel Edwards & Ryan Kennedy (2011)
• Fool for Love by Lisa Lees (2005)
• I Am J by Cris Beam (2011)
• Jumpstart the World by Catherine Ryan Hyde (2010)
• The Last Time I Wore A Dress by Daphne Scholinski (1998)
• London Reign by A. C. Britt (2007)
• Luna by Julie Anne Peters (2006)
• Mom, I Need To Be A Girl by Just Evelyn (2007)
• Parrotfish by Ellen Wittlinger (2011)
• Please Don’t Kill The Freshmen by Zoe Trope (2003)
• The Sweet In-Between: A Novel by Sheri Reynolds (2008)
• What Happened to Lani Garver by Carol Plum-Ucci (2004)
• What I Was by Meg Rosoff (2008)

You may also be interested in:

• The Young Adult page
• The Themed Book Lists page
• The list of Award-winning Young Adult Fiction & Nonfiction
• All Young Adult reviews
• The List of Book Reviews
• The lesbian YA books Amazon Store category