Middle Grade
Noah Frye Gets Crushed by Maggie Horne
Noah Frye just had the Best Summer Ever. Not only did she have an epic time at science camp, but her new camp friend Jessa is going to Noah’s school in the fall. Noah can’t wait to introduce Jessa to her best friends Zoey and Luna when classes start. But when the friend group is reunited after their summer apart, something seems to have changed:…
Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli is one of the few books on this list that I have had the great fortune to have already read, and it easily and quickly became one of my favorite books. I love this story of bi-realization and what queer infighting and virtue signaling does to our community, and I love the tender newness of this love story! Thinking about this book makes me feel weepy, and I desperately want all of you to read it.
To Shape a Dragon's Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose is a Native led fantasy about dragon training and colonization. This book sounds really, really cool, and seems like it could be a bit of a more diverse Dragon Prince, but academic.
All the Dead Lie Down by Kyrie McCauley would have made it on this list even if it didn't look so intriguing, because I trust McCauley so much to make a captivating story with strong, vivid characters. This time, however, things are going Gothic! This is a creepy story of nannying and old houses and horror writers that I'm sure will be stunningly atmospheric.
Fake Dates and Mooncakes by Sher Lee is a queer romance starring two Chinese men and looks so fluffy and cute. This one has a fake dating of convenience to help boost business and just from that cover alone I'm sure it's going to be sweet as anything.
Painted Devils by Margaret Owen is the sequel to Little Thieves, and while it very much does feel like a middle book in a trilogy (which I'm still so excited about!) it gives all the meddling Vanja and low gods vibes as before, now with more romance and absolute need for therapy. I have read this one, and need the next book in my hands like a month ago thank you.
Venom & Vow by Anna-Marie McLemore and Elliot McLemore is the queer romantic fantasy of my dreams! This one has mistaken identities and hidden identities all due to nefarious plots and fluid genders! I love Anna-Marie McLemore and everything about this screams that I would love it, so I'm gnashing at the bit to get this one!
We'll Never Tell by Wendy Heard is yet another book I know I'll probably love based first and foremost on the author. I loved Dead End Girls, and Heard's 3rd book feels like it'll be a similar vibe. This one is about a group of teen investigators accidentally biting off more than they can chew and causing one of their group to get murdered.
Something Like Possible by Miel Moreland I've already read and have been looking forward to seeing it out on the shelf since last year! If you loved the politics of Red White & Royal Blue but would love a YA, sapphic take- grab this book! The politics here are mostly class president based but everything feels more significant and the themes are just heavy enough to do real heavy lifting. Plus, of course, the romance is impeccable.
Threads That Bind by Kika Hatzopoulou claims to be a bit of a mix of Percy Jackson and Song of Achilles, following descendents of Greek figures who inherit their power. The main character of this is a descendant of The Fates (amazing concept right there!) and must use her powers to solve a string of brutal murders
This account is a LGBTQIA+ safe space! Love is love!
🤍🩷🩵🤎🖤❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
This year, I am celebrating pride with these fierce new reads sent to me by @fiercereadsya!
❤️Something Like Possible by @readthenfall
🧡Ode to My First Car by @rockin_robin_1
💛Court of Undying Seasons by @adrianne.strickland
💚You Don’t Have a Shot by @blonde_with_a_book
I am SO excited to start reading these books and feature them in my classroom library this upcoming school year to help my students see themselves represented in literature!
For a chance to win these books and others, click the link below to enter:
Sweepstakes
Remember to always celebrate love and uplift those within the LGBTQIA+ community, this month and every month! Be proud of who you are and know that you are loved.
Cross-posted to: Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph
Book Blurb: In this compelling YA contemporary from author Miel Moreland, a bisexual teen's path to political staffer stardom is in jeopardy, until she convinces a cute new candidate to team up with her on the campaign trail.
On the worst day of her life, Madison is dumped by her girlfriend, then fired as said (ex)girlfriend’s campaign manager... plus she accidentally rear-ends the student government advisor—the one person whose good word might help her win a spot at a prestigious youth politics summer camp.
But Madison is nothing if not a girl with a plan, and she isn’t going to let a little thing like heartbreak (or a slightly dented bumper) get in her way. Soon, she has a new junior class president candidate to back—although the two of them might be getting a little too close on the campaign trail. Between navigating her growing crush and corralling a less than enthusiastic election team, Madison has had it with unexpected changes to her carefully laid plans. But when she and a group of queer classmates discover a pattern of harassment within the student government, Madison's forced to shift gears once again.
Something Like Possible is a love letter to ambitious girls, queer solidarity, and how to keep moving forward when the world seems set on pushing you back.
For every ambitious girl who has been told that they are “too much,” Something Like Possible is a validating promise that you are enough.” —Marisa Kanter, author of As If On Cue
Review:
Freshly dumped by her girlfriend, fired from being said girlfriend’s campaign manager, and rear-ending the student government advisor, Madison is having a pretty rough day. Madison is determined to win a spot at a prestigious youth politics summer camp, she is all about managing campaigns, so when her girlfriend dumps her out of the blue and fires her from her campaign, Madison decides it’s time to find new candidates to help. Madison soon finds herself helping the charming and beautiful Victoria. Madison soon is spending more time with a group of queer classmates and then discovers a pattern of harassment within the student government... and Madison will have to face something she wasn’t expecting at all. From making new friends to running a campaign to finding new love and helping speak up against harassment and inappropriate behavior, this was a lovely story about one girl’s journey through some difficult times. This story deals with a lot of heavy stuff too so I would definitely recommend reading the trigger warnings before going into it but I think it tells a really important message and is done really well.
*Thanks Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Feiwel & Friends for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*
For more, check out this post.
The (Un)Popular Vote by Jasper Sanchez (YA)
Something Like Possible by Miel Moreland (YA)
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Enter the Aardvark by Jessica Anthony
White Houses by Amy Bloom (Historical)
Bonus: These are all “realistic” fiction, but for political SFF, check out The Councillor by E.J. Beaton, Fireheart Tiger by Aliette de Bodard, and Winter’s…
