Middle Grade & YA Books with LGBTQ Characters (Clean & Reviewed List)
- shelfsafebooks
- Feb 28
- 3 min read
Updated: 5 minutes ago
This list highlights middle grade and young adult books that include LGBTQ characters or themes. The selections range from historical graphic novels and nonfiction science to contemporary romance and mystery.
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Rating Summary
🟢 Green – Fully clean, kid-friendly, no graphic content; light and safe for all readers.
🔵 Blue – Mild emotional intensity or deeper themes; best for older children or confident middle-grade readers.
🟣 Purple – Moderate emotional depth or realistic situations; still fully clean and non-explicit, good for readers who can handle heavier themes.
All books are checked for strong language, graphic violence, and on-page sexual content, with additional content notes included when relevant.
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🟢 1. The Legend of Auntie Po – Shing Yin Khor
Standalone
A historical graphic novel blending American folklore with Chinese mythology, as a young girl reimagines Paul Bunyan through the lens of her own immigrant experience. Written for Middle Grade combo readers.
Heads Up: racism/discrimination.
🔵 2. Queer Ducks (and Other Animals) – Eliot Schrefer
Standalone
Smart, humorous, and science-based nonfiction exploring queer behavior in the animal kingdom while affirming the diversity of identity in real life. Written for Older Middle Grade / Teen readers.
🔴 Not Shelf Safe
After further review, this title does not meet the Shelf Safe Books standards. It is included here for transparency.
🔵 3. Love, Creekwood – Becky Albertalli
Series: Simonverse — Book 4 of 4 Complete
A collection of four interconnected Valentine's Day stories featuring beloved characters from the Simonverse. Sweet, funny, and heartfelt. Written for Young Adult readers.
Heads Up: Language 5 F-ck, 2 sh-it, several G-d's name in vain.
🔴 Not Shelf Safe
After further review, this title does not meet the Shelf Safe Books standards. It is included here for transparency.
🔵 4. My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories – edited by Stephanie Perkins
Standalone
Twelve YA authors contribute romantic short stories set during the winter holidays, including Valentine's Day themes. Clean, diverse, and heartwarming. Written for Young Adult readers.
Heads Up: Language: 3bumf-ckville, 7 f-ck(ing), 30 shit, 1 Aholes, 2 bastards, 19 stupid(est), 3 idiot, 2 freak(ing), 2 g-ddamn, 10 damn, 5 piss(ed), 8 crap(py), 1 darn, 21 hell, 2 smartass, 3 ass, 6 Jesus, 8 G-d, tongue kissing with physical touch described erection, drinking, drinking ,smoking drug use, religious discussions, cheating.
🔴 Not Shelf Safe
After further review, this title does not meet the Shelf Safe Books standards. It is included here for transparency.
🔵 5. Truly Devious – Maureen Johnson
Series: Truly Devious, Book 1 of 5+ (more planned)
Stevie Bell arrives at Ellingham Academy, an elite private boarding school for gifted students, determined to solve the decades-old kidnapping and murder of the school's founder's wife and daughter. As Stevie begins investigating the unsolved case, a new death at the school brings the past and present together.
Originally written for Young Adult readers.
Heads Up: Language 9 stupid, 5 dumb, 4 dumb SOB, 2 f-ck, 1 bullsh-t, 6 sh-t, 28 hell, 3 damn, 4 idiot, 11 freak, 3 sucks, 3 crap, 16 mostly oh my G-d, 3 Jesus, weed/ alcohol use, drug references cheating, anxiety, depression, Anxiety.
Thanks for stopping by. May your shelves be full, your stories clean, and your day sprinkled with a little magic.
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