In and Out of the Closet: Fiction and Nonfiction about GLBT Teens

Fiction and Nonfiction about Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Teens

Fiction

Bantle, Lee F.. David Inside Out. 2009. (YA Fiction Bantl.L)

Bauer, Marion Dane. Am I Blue? : Coming Out From The Silence. 1994. (YA Fiction Short Stories Bauer.M 1995)

Read 16 short stories exploring the meaning of sexual identity – gay, lesbian, bisexual and otherwise – in the lives of young adults. These tales examine issues of acceptance and diversity at a time when diverging from the norm can be particularly difficult.

 

 

Block, Francesca Lia. Weetzie Bat. 1989. (YA Fiction Block.F 1999)

This unique story follows hip L.A. flower-child Weetzie bat and her gay best friend, Dirk, as they seek true love in the fast world of Hollywood.

 

 

 

Brown, Rita Mae. Rubyfruit Jungle. 1998. (Fiction Brown.R 1988)

The story of a saucy, unapologetic lesbian growing up in America – and living to tell the tale despite setbacks.

 

Burd, Nick. The Vast Fields Of Ordinary. 2009. (YA Fiction Burd.N)

The summer after graduating from an Iowa high school, eighteen-year-old Dade Hamilton watches his parents' marriage disintegrate, ends his long-term, secret relationship, comes out of the closet, and savors first love.

 

Cart, Michael. My Father's Scar : A Novel. 1998. (YA Fiction Cart.M)

In his freshman year at college, Andy begins his first gay relationship and recalls the tragedies of his past, growing up the son of an alcoholic father and passive mother in a homophobic community.

 

Cruse, Howard. Stuck Rubber Baby. 2003. (741.5973 Cruse.H)

Visuals and a storyline combine seamlessly in this graphic novel about a young man caught in the thick of the civil rights movement and a small-town community that is outwardly homophobic.

 

Crutcher, Chris. Ironman. 2004. (YA Fiction Crutc.C)

After troubled teen athlete Bo is placed in an anger management class, he meets Shelly, a woman with a penchant for physical challenge, and learns what it is to live at the heart of a struggle, standing up even after being knocked down.

 

Dijk, Lutz van. Damned Strong Love : The True Story Of Willi G. And Stefan K. : A Novel. 1995. (JrHigh Dijk.L)

Based on a true story of forbidden romance, readers meet a Polish boy who falls in love with a German soldier during World War II and the era of Nazi persecution of homosexuals.

 

Dole, Mayra L. Down To The Bone. 2008. (YA Fiction Dole.M)

Laura, a seventeen-year-old Cuban American girl, is thrown out of her house when her mother discovers she is a lesbian, but after trying to change her heart and hide from the truth, Laura finally comes to terms with who she is and learns to love and respect herself.

 

Donoghue, Emma. Kissing The Witch : Old Tales In New Skins. 1997. (YA Fiction Donog.E)

Thirteen tried and true tales are recast from a lesbian perspective – this time, Cinderella makes off with the fairy godmother.

 

Ferris, Jean. Eight Seconds. 2000. (YA Fiction Ferri.J)

Eighteen-year-old John must confront his own sexuality when he goes to rodeo school and finds himself strangely attracted to an older boy who is smart, tough, complicated, gorgeous, and gay.

 

Freymann-Weyr, Garret. My Heartbeat. 2002. (YA Fiction Freym.G)

As she tries to understand the closeness between her older brother and his best friend, 14-year-old Ellen finds her relationship with each of them changing.

 

Frost, Helen. Keesha's House. 2003. (YA Fiction Frost.H)

Seven teens facing such problems as pregnancy, closeted homosexuality, and abuse each describe in poetic forms what caused them to leave home and where they found home again.

 

Garden, Nancy. Annie On My Mind. 2007. (YA Fiction Garde.N 2007)

Liza and Annie are two teenage girls who fall in love with each other. But when someone discovers their relationship, Liza begins to doubt her feelings for Annie, only to realize later that their love trumps what others think of them.

 

Harmon, Michael B. The Last Exit To Normal. 2008. (YA Fiction Harmo.M)

Yanked out of his city life and plunked down into a small Montana town with his father and his father's boyfriend, seventeen-year-old Ben, angry and resentful about the changed circumstances of his life, begins to notice that something is not quite right with the little boy next door and determines to do something about it.

 

Prev - Next >>