Fiction for LGBTQ Tweens

[Anon778833]

My daughter is 12 and has said to me that she thinks she may be bisexual. I said that I was happy she felt she could discuss this with me.

She seems to be very focussed on figuring out what her sexuality is. Can anyone recommend any fiction books which she may identify with?

It's great that your DD is feels comfortable to share this with you - it sounds like you have a great relationship. And of course you want to demonstrate that you support here.

However this jumped out a bit

She seems to be very focussed on figuring out what her sexuality is

Personally I think there is way, WAY too much introspection going on in children and teens right now, especially around sexuality and gender identity. I don't think it is helpful it healthy - personally I would be trying to focus her outwards, not inwards on herself. She doesn't need labels to define herself.

Appreciate this is hard to do though, given the influence of peers at this age.

Yes, I know what you mean. But it's the way of the world now isn't it?

She's also autistic (so am I but I'm straight). I think feelings are particularly confusing for autistic people.

The thing is, even if she is thinking she might be bi but turns out not to be in the end, surely reading books about it can only help.

When I was at school, gay people hid their feelings for fear of being bullied. I much prefer the introspection than that...

Jacqueline Wilson has recently written a book with a gay main character. I would add that I have not read it but dd (13) enjoyed it.
Jacqueline Wilson publicly came out as gay last year (I think she’s been with her partner for about 20 years so I doubt many were surprised!)

Sorry just checked it is called Love Frankie

Thanks ever so much :)

Are you near London at all? I recall Foyles had a decent YA LGB section. My teens then progressed to Gay's The Word.

She might like Starring Kitty by Keris Stainton.

Also check out Letterbox Library for recommendations: www.letterboxlibrary.com/index.html

@PineappleCakes

Are you near London at all? I recall Foyles had a decent YA LGB section. My teens then progressed to Gay's The Word.

No unfortunately we're in the midlands but thank you.

The murder most unladylike series has some teenage detectives and several gay characters. The heroine comes out in one of the later books but it’s no big deal. Suitable from about age 10 and normalising sexuality - some people are gay but that’s not what the story is about.

A bit like Malory towers if people kept getting stabbed. The gay characters more prominent in the later novels.

Seconding the Murder Most Unladylike (aka Wells & Wong) books. Very good about finding your identity as you grow up.

Some of the Simon James Green books might be worth a look, because they're very funny (a better written Adrian Mole)- but are maybe a year too old for her. They're gentle and sweet though. After love by Tanya Byrne is getting a lot of good press?

I can think of a few other books- but it's a bit tricky for a 12-year-old. Any books which explore sexuality are often, erm, exploring sexuality! Which....may not be appropriate for her!

Agree about Murder Most Unladylike.

Oooo- and has she read A Spark of Joy by Elle McNicholl? She might enjoy that. About a young, autistic girl helping others understand her- but she also grows up and there's witch trials. Won loads of awards last year.

The later Percy Jackson books have a rather lovely gay male character who only comes out about six books in. The first series have a badass probably bisexual girl.

There's a series of teenage detective novels by Maureen Johnson called Truly Devious. The lead character is straight but several of her friends are bisexual or asexua.l Butnone of the focus is on sexuality as such, the detection is the main event.

Heartstopper by Alice Oseman. Sweet romance between 2 schoolboys.

On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden. Space adventure graphic novel.

Out of the Blue by Sophie Cameron. Lesbian teen finds an angel who has fallen from the sky.

Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron. Retelling of Cinderella.

Ash by Malinda Lo. Another retelling of Cinderella.

Has she watched She-Ra on Netflix and iplayer? My kids are obsessed.

Thanks so much everyone :)

I’d also just add that the TQ’s not relevant here - gender identity is something completely different. You just need the LGB.

I thought Queer was now widely used to refer to sexuality?

I love these books with teen bisexual girls:

Leah on the offbeat - Becky Albertalli
Perfect on paper - Sophie Gonzales
Ramona Blue - Julie Murphy
Ace of spades - Farida Abike-Iyimide
The quiet at the end of the world - Lauren James

And other books that celebrate queer characters in general:
Juliet takes a breath - Gabby Rivera
Red, white and royal blue - Casey McQuiston
The falling in love montage - Ciara Smyth
Loveless - Alice Oseman
Carry on - Rainbow Rowell
Heartbreak boys - Simon James Green
Felix ever after - Kacen Callender

@Itsnotover

I thought Queer was now widely used to refer to sexuality?

It depends who you're talking to to be honest - many of us still see it as a homophobic slur! I don't want to derail your thread though sorry.

It depends who you're talking to to be honest - many of us still see it as a homophobic slur! I don't want to derail your thread though sorry.

I'm sorry - I didn't realise this.

No problem at all - I can honestly see exactly why, with so many references to LGBTQ and queer around!

You’ve got some great recommendations on this thread anyway, my niece loves the Murder Most Unladylike books.

Thank you @EmpressWitchDoesntBurn :)

DS (12) and I have just read They Both Die at the End - the male gay relationship (quite chaste) isn’t the initial focus and we weren’t aware of it when we bought the book but both thought it was a great read.