Hi everyone, this is a big week for me. When you read this post I will have returned home from my procedure. I’ll let you know how I feel sometime later in March when I’ve rested up. The booklist post I’ve planned for you has a selection of teen reads featuring ‘Rainbow Teens.’ I hope you enjoy the titles I’ve set up for you.
My first title, What if it’s us, is a collaborative piece by Becky Albertalli & Adam Silvera (Balzer + Bray & HarperTeen, 2018). We begin by meeting Arthur, who is only in New York for the summer, but if Broadway has taught him anything, it’s that the universe can deliver a show stopping romance when you least expect it. Ben thinks the universe needs to mind its business. But when Arthur and Ben meet-cute at the post office, what exactly does the universe have in store for them? What if life really isn’t like a Broadway show? Best friends Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera combine their talents in this smart, funny, and heartfelt collaboration about two very different boys who can’t decide if the universe is pushing them together – or pulling them apart. At first I was hesitant to read this but I found an honest story of teen romance expertly woven together by a couple of amazing writers in Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera. I really felt for the boys as they stumbled along the path towards love!! Readers will find themselves falling in love with the hilarious dialogue and awesome descriptions of New York City.
** All the titles in this booklist are better for older teens**
Friday, I’m in love by Camryn Garrett (Penguin Books, 2023) was an inspirational coming-of-age/coming-out story. Mahalia Harris wants a sweet sixteen like her best friend, Naomi. She wants the super-cute new girl Siobhan to like her back. She wants a break from worrying – about money, snide remarks from white classmates, pitying looks from church ladies… all of it. Then inspiration strikes: it’s too late for a sweet sixteen, but what if she had a coming-out party? What an Inspirational read this was! I was blown away by the sheer tenacity that young Mahalia lives her young adult life with! The concept of growing up and knowing you’re bisexual took a bit of re-reading for me to truly understand it. Garrett has created an amazing coming of age/coming out tale in this delightful teen read! The additional element of Mahalia’s income was a bit of an added bonus to the reading of the story. .
The next one, How it all blew up by Arvin Ahmad (Hot Key Books, 2020), was a book that didn’t mess about with the themes and topics it covered. Eighteen-year-old Amir Azadi always knew coming out to his Muslim family would be messy – he just didn’t think it would end in an airport interrogation room. But when faced with a failed relationship and blackmail, running away to Rome is his only option. Right? Soon late nights with new friends and dates in the Sistine Chapel start to feel like second nature… until his old life comes knocking on his door. Now Amir has to tell the truth to a US Customs officer and his family, or risk losing who he truly is. I don’t know why or what drew me to this, but it sure packed a punch while I read it. Amir is an amazing young man who has a trifecta of issues: teenage Iranian boy, Muslim and gay!! I know right!! The voice felt so real and human. I loved the pacing of this story, how it lasted a summer in between his memories but it was narrated over the course of a few hours in an airport security interview room. I could almost imagine his family’s voices in my head as each of their parts in the story unfolded. This was not just an amazingly diverse story, but also a truly honest one for the times!!
The last title is Short stuff: A Young Adult LGBTQ+ anthology edited by Alysia Constantine (Interlude Press, 2020). A collection of four short stories make up this read which could start anywhere. Add a summer vacation at the lake, just before heading off to college, in a coffee shop, when the world is new. In a dragon’s cave surrounded by gold, at a swim club with the future in sight. In Short stuff, best selling and award-winning authors dial down the angst in four meet cute LGBTQ young adult romances. Exploring themes of friendship, family, courage and budding teen romance, this collection has something for all types of young adult fans. Despite the lone fantasy read, this is an excellent collection for lovers of YA fiction and short stories.
I hope you all enjoy this selection of reads. I’m pretty sure there are lots more out there, I’ve got quite an extensive TBR list full of just tween and teen reads to get through. I’m hoping to read more on this subject but would also love to hear of anyone else’s suggestions.
Stay safe and keep reading
Miss Mahee
Miss Mahee's Library of Reads 