14 Must-Read lgbtq books for tweens that you’ll obsess over

Recently updated on July 14th, 2024 at 11:27 am

Whether you’re a teen or an adult,  here are 14 lgbtq books for tweens that you  need to add to your tbr list. No matter your age, you’ll want to read these lgbtq middle grade books over and over again!

This post contains affiliate links. That said, I won’t ever recommend a book I haven’t read and loved myself.

When it comes to books, middle grade fiction is seriously underrated. There is something so fun about lgbtq middle grade books even if you’re an adult.  They are beautifully written and no space is wasted.  To his day,  some of my all time favourite books are middle grade novels.

So I browsed the r/suggestabook subreddit and polled Instagram users to round up a list of the absolute best lgbtq books for tweens.   I’ve also read and loved each of the books recommended on this list!

Whether it’s an lgbtq middle grade graphic novel or a middle grade novel with non-binary characters – this post has got you covered.

Let’s see the best lgbtq books for tweens

The Best lgbtq books for teens

There are so many incredible lgbtq books for tweens. These are the lgbtq middle grade books I really recommend. Many of these books are my absolute favourite lgbtq books.  They’re quick and easy to read. And can be binge read in under an hour.

1. Not Your Sidekick by C.B. Lee

Reading Age: 12+

Not Your Sidekick is a queer middle grade novel about superheroes. It features an intriguing mystery, a cute romance and several LGBTQ+ characters.

We follow high school student, Jessica Tran. She is resigned to a life without superpowers and decides to start an internship to improve her college applications. However, she quickly discovers it’s for a supervillain with her crush Abby.

Not Your Sidekick is a light, fluffy and fun read. It gives a refreshing take on typical superhero stories. And the superhero storyline is woven seamlessly into everyday life. Perfect for fans of ya contemporary novels.

It tackles a lot of issues while still staying fun. There is a whole series of these and I’ve already added Not Your Villain to my TBR list as I really loved Bells in Not Your Sidekick. (For more incredible queer books about superheroes and supervillains try Nimona by Noelle Stevenson or  Dreadnought by April Daniels)

2. The LumberJanes by Shannon Watters, Grace Ellis, Brooklyn A. Allen and Noelle Stevenson

Reading Age: 8+

The Lumberjanes  series is an adorable lgbtq middle grade graphic novel. This cute graphic novel series is set at a summer camp and features beautiful forest imagery.

The graphic comic book series follows five pals at a summer camp. They are determined to have an incredible summer and not let supernatural critters or quests get in their way.

The incredible drawings instantly gave me an emotional connection to the characters in the books. The story is well paced and I love the adventure story.

The first novel opens with a bang and the plot really engaged me. The graphic novel format and short length make them really easy to read. If you’re looking for light-hearted lgbtq books for tweens  then you should pick this up. (For more incredible lgbtq middle grade graphic novels try The Backstagers or Mooncakes.)

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3. The Tea Dragon Society by Kay O’Neill

Reading Age: 9+

Searching for diverse children’s or middle-grade novels? Then you’ll love Kay O’Neills work. These cozy stories feature beautiful illustrations and are suitable for any age.

The Tea Dragon Society is about dragons who grow leaves you can make tea from. But the tea is infused with memories.

We follow Greta a blacksmith apprentice. One day she finds a lost tea dragon in the marketplace. Greta learns about the dying art form of tea dragon care-taking from the kind tea shop owners.

This book is adorable, impossibly cute and heart-warming.  The illustrations are absolutely beautiful and painfully adorable.

  Not only is it a beautiful book with a lovely message. But it stars people of color, people with disabilities and LGBTQIA+ characters. (For more of Kay O’Neill’s work you could try Princess Princess Ever After, Aquicorn Cove or The Tea Dragon Tapestry)

4. The Deepest Breath by Meg Grehan

Reading Age: 10+

I am OBSESSED with The Deepest Breath. This underrated queer middle grade book is told in verse. We follow an 11 year old dealing with anxiety and trying to figure out what love it.

It follows Stevie. She loves reading and sea creatures. She lives with her mum and has been friends with Andrew since forever. Her mum jokes that one day they’ll get married. 

But Stevie knows that won’t ever happen. There’s a girl at school that she likes more. A lot more. Stevie needs to find out if girls can like girls. But it’s hard to get any information and she’s too shy to ask out loud. 

This book is so beautifully written. It’s emotional, heartwarming and the writing flows really well. It deals with anxiety, panic attacks and self identify. And I wish I’d had a book like this when I was younger. 

If you’re looking for lgbtq books for tweens, then this would be a great choice. (For more lgbtq novels in  verse you could also try The Black Flamingo)

5. Mooncakes by Wendy Xu and Suzanne Walker

Reading Age: 13+

Searching for light-hearted romance for tweens? Then you need to read Mooncakes. It features wholesome graphics and a cute romance between a witch and non-binary werewolf. This is slightly more grown up than other books on this list, but still an adorable read.

It follows teen witch Nova. She works at her Nana’s magical bookshop. And she helps them loan out spell books. But she also investigates supernatural occurrences in her local town.

One day, she is tasked to investigate reports of a white wolf in a nearby forest. She then discovers her childhood best friend,  Tam, fighting a demon werewolf.  Together they investigate the demon and rekindle their feelings towards each other.

This is such a comfort read. The artwork is insanely beautiful. I really loved the illustrations of the magic and magical creatures living in the forest. The romance is also really adorable.

The story isn’t fast-paced and action packed. We also don’t find out much about the characters background. But it’s such a quick, cute and light-hearted read that I don’t think it matters. It also deals with serious topics like loss and difficult family relationships really well. (For even more incredible fantasy books about witches read this blog post)

6. Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the world by Ashley Herring Blake

Reading Age: 8+

A profound and moving read about a middle-grade student coming to terms with her sexuality. Ashley Herring Blake writes some of the absolute best lgbtq middle-grade books.

This queer middle grade novel follows Ivy Aberdeen. Her house is destroyed by a hurricane. In the aftermath, someone steals her notebook full of secret drawings of her crush (A girl)

Oh, I wept buckets when I read this one. It made my heart swell, my eyes water. And at the end made me smile like a loon. Ashley Herring Blake is a literary genius. The writing is sublime. Vivid and beautiful.

The plot is paced exceptionally well. And all the characters were well developed and nuanced. It’s a great take on realizing you like girls. The character starts feeling distanced from friends who obsess over boys. And the panic about coming out. It’s both heart-breaking and heartwarming (Keep on the Ashley Herring Blake train with their other lgbtq middle grade books The Mighty Heart of Sunny St James and Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea)

7. The Backstagers by James Tynion IV and Rian Sigh

Reading Age: 13+

Okay, this is such a wholesome LGBTQ+ middle grade graphic novel. If you’re a fan of Heartstopper, The Tea Dragon Society or the LumberJanes then you’ll probably enjoy this one. It’s a graphic novel featuring a mlm romance and the found family trope.

It follows Jory. He transfers to an all-boys private high school. But at first he’s not happy at the school. Until he’s taken in by the only ones who don’t treat him like a new kid –  the lowly stage crew known as the Backstagers. 

The Backstagers are a group of students who help backstage at plays. He makes great, lifetime friends. But he is also introduced to an entire magical world that lives beyond the curtain. 

This is such a light-hearted, easy read. It’s fairly short and the graphic style makes it easy to read pretty quickly.  The romance was a bit insta-lovey. But it’s such a wholesome read that it doesn’t really matter. If you have a train journey this would be the perfect length read. (For more wholesome LGBTQ+ Middle Grade graphic novels like this one try Mooncakes or The Tea Dragon Society)

8. Love Frankie by Jacqueline Wilson

Reading Age: 10+

Love Frankie is an easy to read lgbtq book for tweens. We follow a teenager struggling with her identity. And it also deals with chronic illness.

If you were a British teen in the 90s or early 00s then you you will definitely have read some of her work. Jacqueline Wilson has written over 100 books. And she’s the most borrowed author from libraries. 

Love Frankie follows Frankie. She is struggling to cope with her mum’s MS diagnosis when she meets Sally. Problem is Sally is perfect when it’s just them. But she ignores her at school

If you’re familiar with Jacqueline Wilson’s work, you will find this super comforting to read. Jacqueline Wilson’s distinctive writing style very easy to read.

Wilson has never been one to avoid controversial topics. And Love Frankie is no different. It explores mental health and coming out in teens. Yet, it still balances mental health issues with cute, light hearted first love. (For even more Jacqueline Wilson books check out this post on Jacqueline Wilson recommendations by Julia’s Bookcase)

9. Princess Princess Ever After by Kay O’Neill

Reading Age: 9+

I couldn’t resist including another Kay O’Neill book on this list. However, they write the most wholesome, beautiful and cosy lgbtq books for tweens.

Princess  Princess ever after is about two princesses who fall in love. We follow Sadie who is locked in a tower. She is rescued by another princess -Amira. Also, Amira rides a pink unicorn.  It’s just as queer and lovely as it sounds.

This is such a comforting book to read. It deals with some really important topics such as feminism, equality and abusive relationships. But it does it in such a light-hearted way.

This is insanely adorable and a really quick read.  It has cosy, cottagecore vibes. And even though it includes the insta love trope, it’s so wholesome that it works perfectly. (For more of Kay O’Neill’s work you could try  Aquicorn Cove or The Tea Dragon Tapestry)

10. Pepper’s Rules for Secret Sleuthing by Brianna McDonald

Reading Age: 8+

I was recommended this book on Instagram. And I’m so happy I read this – it’s such an underrated lgbtq middle grade book. It’s a cute middle grade mystery book which also deals with LGBTQ+ issues.

It follows Pepper. She’s an amateur detective. And her first rule is to stay loyal to the case. Even if that means pushing people away.

But when her latest case costs her any hope of the girl she likes returning her feelings -she decides to lay out. 

But them her aunt passes away under mysterious circumstances. And she can’t ignore rule fourteen – trust your gut. 

This is a really quick and easy read. The pacing is excellent and I was pleasantly surprised at how engaging I found the mystery.  Plus, I really like that the mystery takes centre stage. While LGBTQ+ themes run throughout the book – they’re not the focus. And I find that very refreshing in an lgbtq middle grade book.

11. Ana on the Edge by A.J Sass

Reading Age: 8+

Ana on the Edge is an adorable and heartfelt coming of age story. This LGBTQ+ middle grade story features a character exploring her gender identity.

We follow twelve-year-old Ana, the reigning US Juvenile figure skating champion. She learns that next season’s program will be princess themed. But she doesn’t realise why the idea of a frilly dress makes her so uncomfortable.

Once Ana meets Hayden, a transgender boy new to the rink, thoughts about the princess program and gender identity begin to take center stage. But he mistakes Ana for a boy. And Ana doesn’t correct him. It takes her down a path realising she is non-binary.

This is an excellent exploration of identity. Gender identity and non-binary is discussed without it feeling education. It feels meaningful and natural. The relationships with family and friends were heartfelt.

12. Hurricane Child by Kacen Callender

Reading Age: 8+

I am a huge fan of Kacen Callendar. And if you’re searching for queer middle grade books, then I highly recommend Hurricane Child. This moving middle grade book won Stonewall and Lamda literary awards.

We follow Caroline, who had the bad luck to be born during a hurricane. Bullied by everyone in her small school on St. Thomas of the US Virgin Islands, a spirit only she can see won’t stop following her, and—worst of all—Caroline’s mother left home one day and never came back.

But Caroline’s luck begins to turn around when a new student arrives. Kalinda is a solemn girl from Barbados. And she becomes Caroline’s first and only friend. And the person Caroline develops a crush on.

Now, Caroline must find the strength to confront her feelings for Kalinda, brave the spirit stalking her through the islands, and face the reason her mother abandoned her.

13. Alan Cole is Not a Coward by Eric Bell

Reading Age: 8+

Alan Cole is Not a Coward is is a hilarious and poignant tale about the trials of middle school when you’re coming of age—and coming out.

We Follow Alan Cole. He can’t stand up to his cruel brother, escape his demanding father’s wrath and he can’t let the cute boy across the cafeteria know he has a crush on him.

But when Nathan discovers Alan’s secret, his older brother announces a high-stakes round of Cole vs. Cole. Each brother must complete seven nearly impossible tasks. And whoever finishes the most wins the game. If Alan doesn’t want to be outed to all of Evergreen Middle School, he’s got to become the most well-known kid in school, get his first kiss, and stand up to Dad. Alan’s determined to prove—to Nathan, to the world, to himself—that this goldfish can learn to swim.

This book explores the complicated nature of family. It has a lot of depth and heart. I loved the character of Alan Cole. My only criticism is that it gets close to abuse apologism for the brother and Dad. It attempts to find excuses for their behaviour to “redeem” them.

14. Melissa by Alex Gino

Reading Age: 12+

Melissa is a sensitive and heartfelt middle grade story about a transgender girl named Melissa. This profound story was nominated for a goodreads choice award. And captured the hearts of many readers. Previously called George, this is an incredible debut.

When people look at George, they think they see a boy. But she knows she’s not a boy. She knows she’s a girl.

George thinks she’ll have to keep this a secret forever. Then her teacher announces that their class play is going to be Charlotte’s Web. George really, really, REALLY wants to play Charlotte. But the teacher says she can’t even try out for the part . . . because she’s a boy.

With the help of her best friend, Kelly, George comes up with a plan. Not just so she can be Charlotte — but so everyone can know who she is, once and for all.

This post was all about lgbtq books for tweens

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