Where’s a pottery wheel when you need one? In an effort to prove himself, he tries to find his murdered cousin’s ghost, but he ends up summoning someone else entirely instead. What’s it about? In Cemetery Boys, Yadriel knows he’s a boy and he just wants his family to accept him as a brujo. Cemetery Boysĭid Julian just have zero impulse control? It was almost endearing. Queer street cred: queer guy MC, gay, Egyptian-British MC, Indian-British gal SC, three queer woman SCs.ĬW: abuse, bullying, queer character death, racism, homophobia, biphobia, suicidal ideation, manipulation, violence, very mild sexual content (CSM: 14+). Read this if: You wish Harry Potterhad been queer and acknowledged the fact that Harry was, you know, a child soldier. He’s also obsessed with his enemy-roommate- crush, Baz (who just happens to be a vampire). What’s it about? Simon Snow is The Chosen One in this urban fantasy set in England.

“Just like fossil fuels.” Penny glances over at me, then snorts. “In America, they think that you become more powerful the more magic you use.” RELATED: 8 Ways I Get My Language Nerd On A Complicated Love Story Set in Space Now! Let’s get to the YA science fiction and fantasy! Where available, I’ve added common sense media‘s (CSM) age recommendation. A note on “queer street cred”: this isn’t meant to boil people down to their labels, but as a shorthand way to allow people to find themselves in books. Also, I’m a firm believer in co-watching/reading, so if you’re a parent reading this list, that’s a great option for tackling “uncomfortable” material.Īll that being said, I have included content warnings because you might wanna know what you’re getting into. Do they focus on the emotional aspects and repercussions of sex and violence? Feelings, not gratuitous details, are what make YA works valuable. But, in my honest opinion, what’s important is how the novels deal with the tough stuff. These books are not devoid of sex, drugs and rock & roll (or violence). received a 3.80+ rating on Good Reads and a 4.0+ on Amazon.features at least one main queer character.been recommended by at least one other queer person.

I’ve read at least part of each book and each has: These books have gone through a rigorous testing methodology. What the heck is “Queer Tested”?ĭon’t just take my word for it. Today, I’m recommending a spectrum of queer YA science fiction and fantasy novels. This column aims to use that specific lens to navigate the sometimes tricky genre that is young adult. Hello there! Welcome to the inaugural edition of Queer Tested, Teacher Approved! I’m a queer educator who’s been working with kids since I was still a wee baby queer myself.

Sid the midnight lie