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I thought I would start a thread for people to request help finding particular themes in YA books. So if you want a YA fantasy with a female MC, or SciFi, or a trans guy MC or contemporary with a non-binary main character, or any other sub-category, post your request here and lets see if our members can point you in the right direction.

I'd love to find out whether there are any YA books with trans* characters in which the character "just happens" to be trans*... in other words, a book in which the character's gender identity is not the plot of the novel, just a facet of the character.

Because if there isn't, I may have to write one...(Ralph, you're on notice. LOL)

I believe Corin Nash's upcoming story will have what you're looking for. Last I spoke with her, the sequel to her Helping Hands story featured a MTF trans girl, but the main focus of the story wasn't her gender identity, though it does play a roll, obviously.

Cool. I'll keep an eye out for that.

Yeah, I don't know if it would be possible for a story with a trans* main character to not have the gender identity be an issue at all; I'm just looking for one that isn't *about* the character being trans*.

For example, in the TV show Degrassi, which is basically a teen soap opera, there's an FtM boy named Adam. We didn't find out that Adam was born a biological girl named Gracie until the sixth or seventh episode in which the character appeared; the character's appearance to that point was in plots or subplots about playing pranks, making friends as a new student at a high school, etc. (And the show chose an actor with a gender neutral name and appearance to portray the character, so the opening credits, showing Adam as a boy, were no help. The character is played by a female actor named Jordan Todosey.)

Since the character came out as transgendered, there have been plots about his gender identity, including his mother finally accepting that she's never going to have her "little girl" back and the bullying Adam experiences when his schoolmates discover that he's a biological girl. But there have also been plots about him helping his best friend (a guy) deal with bipolar, about him doing an in-school radio comedy show with a friend, etc.; in other words, about Adam being a teenage boy who does teenage boy stuff. Sometimes the gender identity becomes an issue; in the radio show episodes, Adam's friend learned that Adam is trans* and started insulting him on the air, leading to the end of the show. But I think overall Degrassi has done a good job of balancing "let's make this about Adam being FtM transgendered" vs. "let's make this about Adam and Eli getting back at Owen" or "let's make this about Adam doing a radio show with Dave".

Beauty Queens, by Libba Bray, has a trans character, and the book definitely does not revolve around that character's gender. It's also a book with a big ensemble cast, though, so the character doesn't get a ton of page-time. Still a fun read, though.

Has anyone read The Butterfly and the Flame by Dana De Young? I know that the protagonist is an Mtf girl who has been stealth for a long time, it seems like it might not be all about her transsexuality, but also, I'm not sure if it is a YA novel or not.

I would like to read a book with YA gay male characters and explcit / detailed sex scenes, any recommendations?

Thanks :)

Patrick wrote: "I would like to read a book with YA gay male characters and explcit / detailed sex scenes, any recommendations?

Thanks :)"

Hey there Patrick---I just wanted to ask anyone who is going to give you recommendations to do so by private message (pm) as opposed to listing them here on the thread. I only ask that because we have several members who are under the age of 16 and we don't want to list recommendations that would not be wise for them to access. Thanks everyone for understanding!

Now PLEASE--DO email Patrick with suggestions!

If there are explicit/detailed sex scenes, that kinda moves it out of the YA genre.

Ralph wrote: "If there are explicit/detailed sex scenes, that kinda moves it out of the YA genre."

I thought so too at first but I'm glad I was wrong :) I got some interesting suggestions via PM.

Patrick wrote: "Ralph wrote: "If there are explicit/detailed sex scenes, that kinda moves it out of the YA genre."

I thought so too at first but I'm glad I was wrong :) I got some interesting suggestions via PM."

Just to clarify, those are books with YA characters, but they wouldn't qualify as YA reading material due to the sex content, for say libraries or school collections.

That's why when we say this group reads YA genre, it leaves out the explicit works. (But on the adult side, there are a lot of good things with 18 year olds in them.)

I'm going to respectfully, partially disagree on the question of explicit = not YA.

I've read several books that are marketed as YA that have explicit, detailed sex in them. Not necessarily the same level of detail as in adult romance/erotic romance, but there is no closed door; we see exactly what the characters are doing. On the other hand, these scenes probably don't use the same language as scenes in adult romance/erotic stories. Kaje's right that those books aren't likely to wind up in schools (though I've found a couple in high school libraries), and the books are usually targeted at the upper end of the YA audience age range, say 15 or 16 years old and up.

The biggest difference, though, is the *intent* of the scene. In the YA books that have those explicit scenes, the scenes are there to show the reader something about the point of view character, or to impact the plot of the book. They are not put there to arouse the reader (though I would assume at least some readers do respond that way). In adult romance, and especially in erotic romance/erotica, the sex scenes are also there to impact the plot/show something about the characters, but the scenes are also intended to be arousing.

I think for the purposes of this group, given that we have members on the lower end of the YA age range, it definitely makes sense to limit recommendations to books that don't contain explicit scenes, but the inclusion of explicit scenes, to me, doesn't necessarily rule out the book being considered YA. Featherweight has at least one YA title that has an explicit scene in it, though it closes the door on actual intercourse; in the first book I ever read that would be considered YA, published by one of the Big Six, there were several scenes with the 14-year-old female main character making out or having full-on intercourse with one of the males in the story, and the book made extensive use of the "F" word. And that was back in the mid-1980s. (That was one of the books I've found in high school libraries...)

There's definitely a difference between sex scenes in YA fiction and those in adult books that include YA-age characters, but the inclusion of explicit sex doesn't automatically rule out the book being considered YA.

(Disclaimer: I'm a major prude; most of my YA characters don't have sex at all, and on the occasions when any do, the scenes are sort of before-and-after... except for one scene in my upcoming novel Fresh Meat, which isn't consensual and which isn't exactly explicit, it just isn't closed door; it focuses on what Tobias feels physically and emotionally rather than what's actually being done to him. And it still triggered the heck out of me.)

Now that I've taken this far, far off topic... I'd love to read a YA romance, preferably M/M, where there isn't a ton of angst about "I'm not out" or "what if someone finds out about us?"

There is a difference between explicit and erotic, certainly. I guess we should say explicitly erotic scenes take a book out of common YA territory. Not that YAs won't read and enjoy them but that venues for YA fiction will not feel it's acceptable to include them. There's clearly no single line you can draw in the sand, though.

As for a YA romance that isn't angtsy, I assume you've read our BotM, because that surely qualifies. You could also look at Levithan's in which the romance isn't angsty, although the campaign to elect a gay president has its moments. Or where there is plenty of angst but it's not related to the gay aspect of the relationship, or - ditto.

Thanks, Kaje!

I guess I should have specified... I prefer contemporary or paranormal/urban fantasy; swords-and-villages type of fantasy or science fiction stories, I just plain can't get into.

I haven't read the BotM yet; I really need to do that!

Jo wrote: "Thanks, Kaje!

I guess I should have specified... I prefer contemporary or paranormal/urban fantasy; swords-and-villages type of fantasy or science fiction stories, I just plain can't get into.

..."

Both the Levithans are pretty much contemporary; you probably wouldn't like the Flewelling; Swordspoint has a somewhat historical/political rather than high-fantasy feel to it, so it might be a toss-up.

Okay, cool. I'll check those out :)

Ironically the YA M/M romance-ish novel I've written--which I'll be revising and submitting soon--has a lot of "what if people find out" angst...I think that's why I want to read something that doesn't. LOL

Jo wrote: "I'm going to respectfully, partially disagree on the question of explicit = not YA.

I agree with you on this point, Jo, but not necessarily on the intent of the scene.

I've given up on all the interpretations of what's YA suitable or not and the genre definitions and age groupings and ranges. From now on I'm writing a YA18+ version which contains adult content and a school-library-suitable version which may contain some sexiness.

Problem solved.

Cheers

Justin

Justin, that may be the best way to deal with it...

Ultimately, what's suitable for YA at this point rests in the hands of the publishers who decide how to market the books they accept... That doesn't mean schools, libraries, and readers will agree, though.

Jo wrote: "I'd love to find out whether there are any YA books with trans* characters in which the character "just happens" to be trans*... in other words, a book in which the character's gender identity is n..."

I've got one coming out in July sometime, Run, Clarissa, Run. It's about a MTF trans teenager who is a computer hacker, part coming out story and part thriller. Anyone interest should message me and I'll get you a pre-release copy as soon as I have the final edits back.

Ooh, sounds like a great story, Rachel!

Rachel wrote: "Jo wrote: "I'd love to find out whether there are any YA books with trans* characters in which the character "just happens" to be trans*... in other words, a book in which the character's gender id..."

Sounds great - looking forward to it.

I'd like to put in a request for F/F paranormal romance. There are so many YA paranormal romance novels out now, but I've been having a hard time finding ones where the main pairing is two girls. I don't mind explicit content, so don't worry about keeping it too clean.

Thank you! =)

Jojobean wrote: "I'd like to put in a request for F/F paranormal romance. There are so many YA paranormal romance novels out now, but I've been having a hard time finding ones where the main pairing is two girls. I..."

Great question - not off the top of my head... anyone??

Jojobean wrote: "I'd like to put in a request for F/F paranormal romance. There are so many YA paranormal romance novels out now, but I've been having a hard time finding ones where the main pairing is two girls. I..."

How about Frost Moon?

The main character Dakota Frost is a magical tattoist. It's not really F/F, she's bi. And her ex, Savannah is a little "weird"....
But it's paranormal(adult). :)

Thank you! I'll make sure to check that one out. :)

Hey there, I'm looking for a MM romance but I would love it if they have known each other for life.

And I would also love a trans book with the main character being a female.

Thank you! ;3

Hannah L wrote: "Hey there, I'm looking for a MM romance but I would love it if they have known each other for life.

And I would also love a trans book with the main character being a female.

Thank you! ;3"

With YA, when you say for life you mean two teens who knew each other since they were little kids?

And for trans, just to clarify - you want a F2M (like Parrotfish ) or M2F (like Luna ) ?

I feel like there are too few LGBT books with happy endings.

Anyone know of any?

Rikke wrote: "I feel like there are too few LGBT books with happy endings.

Anyone know of any?"

I think most of the LGBT YA I know of have at least optimistic endings. Any particular genre you're looking for?

not really into vampire stuff, but other then that im up for anything.
im looking for the happy ever after kinda endings, not the 'got disowned, homeless, my bf/gf broke up with me BUT I learned to accept myself' kinda endings.

Rikke wrote: "not really into vampire stuff, but other then that im up for anything.
im looking for the happy ever after kinda endings, not the 'got disowned, homeless, my bf/gf broke up with me BUT I learned to..."

Happy ever after is difficult with YA characters, because when you're a teen there's a lot of "ever after" time to come. Off the top of my head

- the trilogy is almost HEA for all
- a little utpoian but very happy
- tentatively happy
- happy ending
- funny, happy something-may-be-starting ending
- happy for now ending
- happy ending

And both my stories written as Kira Harp have happy-for-now endings but not HEA.

All of these are M/M

cool. I have never read m/m before, but it might be fun :)
I'll have to check the library.

Good luck - my library has all of them except the Foster High (which is a new release) and I enjoyed them all.

Jo wrote: "Cool. I'll keep an eye out for that.

Yeah, I don't know if it would be possible for a story with a trans* main character to not have the gender identity be an issue at all; I'm just looking for o..."

Adam is so my favorite character on Degrassi! lol

I'm looking for a m/m romance/humor YA, it's Totally fine if there's sex scenes and/or cursing.(feel free to PM me any suggestions, there are some young teens on here!) I don't really like angst or overwhelming drama, I prefer lot of humor and fun, but it's aright if there is some drama. Oh and I usually really like stories that have high school/college settings. Thxx

Kira wrote: "I'm looking for a m/m romance/humor YA, it's Totally fine if there's sex scenes and/or cursing.(feel free to PM me any suggestions, there are some young teens on here!) I don't really like angst or..."

consider Exiled to Iowa. Send Help. And Couture or Outtakes of A Walking Mistake. Both have humor and drama- Iowa has more romance. Outtakes is funnier but doesn't really have a romance ending. Or possibly A Really Nice Prom Mess.

I have a couple that would fit that description, but they aren't out yet... (One isn't accepted yet, even.)

Thanks a lot Kaje I'll definitely check those out! And Jo, let me know if/when the books come out, I hope the other one gets accepted :D.

Thanks, Kira. One should be out in 2013; the other, as I said, is under consideration, so I can't even guess whether it would be a 2013 or 2014 release if it gets accepted.

Erica posted a link to her list of YA LGBT titles and it's impressive. Since it's in with the Banned Books thread, I thought I'd pull it our here to make it easier to find:

A great array of excellent books. When I get time, I'll try to make sure these are on our group shelves too.

Hiya! I read this book earlier this year and i cannot for the life of me remember who wrote it or the title.

It's about a teenage boy whose dad died when he was young and his mum is hardly ever around coz she is always romanticising some new guy (turns out she's and archaeologist, but she lied to her son for whatever reason). He has an ex-step brother (his name I'm fairly certain is christian??) who comes round to check on him from time to time. The main character meets an older guy on an internet chat forum about astronomy and they end up kind of going out & having sex, but the guy turns out to be a creep and invites other guys to have sex with the kid, and practically rapes him. The boy doesn't confide to anyone other than writing in his diary and talking to another person he found on the same chat forum. Long story short, the boy is bullied at school, and the creep keeps harassing him. He ends up trying to kill himself, but fails and his step brother finds him. Things get resolved between him and his mother, as well as his step brother. The creep is put in jail by a cop who had been working undercover at the boys school and had become friends with the boy (turns out he was also the person the boy had confided to on the online chat room.

So...is anyone at all able to help me??? I would be forever grateful :)

Wow, that's a powerful story. I don't recognize it. If you don't get an answer you might post it in the adult "What's the name of this book" thread too - some of them read YA. Let us know - I'd like to look at it too.

Hey guys, can someone suggest a nice teenage mm ya book. I have read a lot of them. The Dumb Jock series, Surviving Elite High and Tales From Foster High series. I hate cheating and massive break-up's. That is not for me at all. I just want something, sweet that is not too short. :)

I appreciate this guys :)

Trisha wrote: "Hey guys, can someone suggest a nice teenage mm ya book. I have read a lot of them. The Dumb Jock series, Surviving Elite High and Tales From Foster High series. I hate cheating and massive break-u..."

How about ? Another one I liked was although I don't know whether it totally fits what you are looking for:)

Trisha wrote: "Hey guys, can someone suggest a nice teenage mm ya book. I have read a lot of them. The Dumb Jock series, Surviving Elite High and Tales From Foster High series. I hate cheating and massive break-u..."

Have you read the Rainbow Boys series? Geography Club is a two-book series although the romance part happens late in the first one. Also there are good fantasy series if you like that and not just contemporary.

There are a bunch of good single books too - Wide Awake (slight future setting), Thinking Straight, Our December (although the sequels are NOT YA), Exiled to Iowa. Send Help. And Couture, Andy Squared

A 16+ m/m book that deals with something other than coming out (I'm done with the coming out stories!).

Perhaps something with a teacher/student thing, like Where You Are by JH Trumble? Though that's not a requirement.

The book I wrote, Thirteen Therapists, is much more than a coming out story--in fact, the main character is totally comfortable with the fact that he is gay. The story tells of his struggles with his overbearing mother and the new boyfriend and relationship that quickly becomes a handful for him. You can read the first chapter on my website...
Just click on the Thirteen Therapists tab and scroll down. Then you can purchase at either amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com
Enjoy!

I can't seem to quote your post on the mobile app, so I hope you see this. Thank you, Russell!

Alex, you are very welcome. I hope you decide to read my book. I think you'll like it. And, in the interest of shameless promotion, tell everybody you know about it.

Kaje wrote: "Rikke wrote: "not really into vampire stuff, but other then that im up for anything.
im looking for the happy ever after kinda endings, not the 'got disowned, homeless, my bf/gf broke up with me BU..."

Hero also has a happy ending as well