The best young adult books about queer people of color

Why am I passionate about this?

I am Sonora Reyes, author of The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School. As a queer Mexican-American, I’ve only ever written (and probably only ever will) write stories about queer characters of color like myself. Growing up, I never had access to books that represented people like me, and it fills me with so much joy to see all the representation that exists today. I write for the queer kids of color who desperately need to see themselves in fiction. I write for my teenage self. For the kids who think they’re alone. For the kids who want to see joy in their own stories. And, most importantly, for myself, as I am today.


I wrote...

Book cover of The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School

What is my book about?

After getting outed by her crush and ex-best friend, Yamilet Flores follows her brother to a new Catholic high school, where she goes back into the closet. Here, she has new priorities: make her mom proud, keep her brother out of trouble, and, most importantly, don’t fall in love.

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The books I picked & why

Book cover of Cemetery Boys

Sonora Reyes Why did I love this book?

This book was such a fun escapist read for me. I laughed out loud while reading on multiple occasions, in public! I especially loved the characters and relationship dynamics in this book. From Yadriel to Maritza, to Julian, each character felt fully fleshed out and real. If you like paranormal romance, mystery, or lovable himbos, this book is definitely for you!

By Aiden Thomas,

Why should I read it?

6 authors picked Cemetery Boys as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 12, 13, 14, and 15.

What is this book about?

Yadriel has summoned a ghost, and now he can't get rid of him.

When his traditional Latinx family has problems accepting his true gender, Yadriel becomes determined to prove himself a real brujo. With the help of his cousin and best friend Maritza, he performs the ritual himself, and then sets out to find the ghost of his murdered cousin and set it free.

However, the ghost he summons is actually Julian Diaz, the school's resident bad boy, and Julian is not about to go quietly into death. He's determined to find out what happened and tie off some loose…


Book cover of Meet Cute Diary

Sonora Reyes Why did I love this book?

I may be biased about this book because I happened to read it during a really dark time in my life. It was exactly what I needed to get me back on my feet and lighten my mood. I loved being able to escape into Noah’s messy and hilarious love story and forget about the world around me. 10/10 I highly recommend this book!

By Emery Lee,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Meet Cute Diary as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Felix Ever After meets Becky Albertalli in this swoon-worthy, heartfelt rom-com about how a transgender teen's first love challenges his ideas about perfect relationships.

Noah Ramirez thinks he's an expert on romance. He has to be for his popular blog, the Meet Cute Diary, a collection of trans happily ever afters. There's just one problem-all the stories are fake. What started as the fantasies of a trans boy afraid to step out of the closet has grown into a beacon of hope for trans readers across the globe.

When a troll exposes the blog as fiction, Noah's world unravels. The…


Book cover of Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun

Sonora Reyes Why did I love this book?

Not only is Fifteen Hundred Miles From the Sun a swoony love story about a long-distance relationship, but it is also a coming of age story with a strong found family. The premise of the book says it all to me. I mean, a gay teenage boy getting drunk and accidentally coming out on Twitter? Then his Twitter crush slides into his DMs? Sold.

By Jonny Garza Villa,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A poignant, funny, openhearted novel about coming out, first love, and being your one and only best and true self.

Julian Luna has a plan for his life: Graduate. Get into UCLA. And have the chance to move away from Corpus Christi, Texas, and the suffocating expectations of others that have forced Jules into an inauthentic life.

Then in one reckless moment, with one impulsive tweet, his plans for a low-key nine months are thrown-literally-out the closet. The downside: the whole world knows, and Jules has to prepare for rejection. The upside: Jules now has the opportunity to be his…


Book cover of The Sound of Stars

Sonora Reyes Why did I love this book?

The Sound of Stars is one of my all-time favorite books! I love the romance, the action, characters, and really just everything about this book. This was also the first book I ever read that had demi-sexual representation, and seeing that experience represented so beautifully made me so incredibly happy. The alien love interest, M0Rr1S (Morris) is one of the sweetest and most lovable characters I’ve ever read!

By Alechia Dow,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked The Sound of Stars as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

“This debut has it all: music, books, aliens, adventure, resistance, queerness, and a bold heroine tying it all together. ”—Ms. Magazine

Can a girl who risks her life for books and an Ilori who loves pop music work together to save humanity?

When a rebel librarian meets an Ilori commander…

Two years ago, a misunderstanding between the leaders of Earth and the invading Ilori resulted in the death of one-third of the world’s population. Today, seventeen-year-old Ellie Baker survives in an Ilori-controlled center in New York City. All art, books and creative expression are illegal, but Ellie breaks the rules…


Book cover of Don't Date Rosa Santos

Sonora Reyes Why did I love this book?

Don’t Date Rosa Santos is one of the only books I’ve ever been able to read more than once (I’ve read it three times!). It made me laugh and cry and hug the book to my chest. I still am not over this book, and may never be! It’s my all-time favorite comfort read. 

By Nina Moreno,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Don't Date Rosa Santos as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 12, 13, 14, and 15.

What is this book about?

For fans of Gilmore Girls and To All the Boys I've Loved Before, this effervescent love story from debut author Nina Moreno will sweep you away.

Rosa Santos is cursed by the sea—at least, that's what they say. Dating her is bad news, especially if you're a boy with a boat.

But Rosa feels more caught than cursed. Caught between cultures and choices. Between her abuela, a beloved healer and pillar of their community, and her mother, an artist who crashes in and out of her life like a hurricane. Between Port Coral, the quirky South Florida town they call…


You might also like...

The Wallace House of Pain: A Novelette

By S.M. Stevens,

Book cover of The Wallace House of Pain: A Novelette

S.M. Stevens Author Of The Wallace House of Pain: A Novelette

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Animal lover Renewable energy advocate Alternative music lover Mother

S.M.'s 3 favorite reads in 2023

What is my book about?

Activist Xander Wallace and his straitlaced father do not have an easy relationship. Jim’s views on race, immigration, gender, sexuality, and even Millennials alienate his son no matter how hard Xander tries to find common ground. Toss in Jim’s second marriage ten months after Xander’s mother died, and it’s a volatile cocktail. How, against this backdrop, will Xander ever dare to bare his soul and reveal his greatest secret?

Winner of a 2023 American Fiction Award, a First Place prize in the Chanticleer International Book Awards, and a 5-Star Readers’ Favorite review.

The Wallace House of Pain: A Novelette

By S.M. Stevens,


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in topics and characters, gay teenagers, and curses?

10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about topics and characters, gay teenagers, and curses.

Topics And Characters Explore 115 books about topics and characters
Gay Teenagers Explore 36 books about gay teenagers
Curses Explore 77 books about curses