Young Adult New Releases May 23rd 2023

It’s Tuesday, so get ready to add some new books to your real and metaphysical shelves! Your queer YA summer reading options have just quadrupled. If you missed any of May’s releases, you can check out most of them on our Bookshop page! I am constantly trying to keep the Signed Books page (new page/new link) up to date, so check that out if you are looking for signed books!

The Luis Ortega Survival Club

by Sonora Reyes
Published by: Balzer & Bray/Harperteen
on May 23, 2023
Genres: Contemporary, LGBTQIA+, Young Adult
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From the bestselling author of The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School comes a story in the vein of John Tucker Must Die but tackling serious topics. It’s a revenge story told with nuance, heart, and the possibility of healing.

Ariana Ruiz wants to be noticed. But as an autistic girl who never talks, she goes largely ignored by her peers, despite her bold fashion choices. So when cute, popular Luis starts to pay attention to her, Ari finally feels seen.

Luis’s attention soon turns to something more, and they have sex at a party—while Ari didn’t say no, she definitely didn’t say yes. Before she has a chance to process what happened and decide if she even has the right to be mad at Luis, the rumor mill begins churning—thanks, she’s sure, to Luis’s ex-girlfriend, Shawni. Boys at school now see Ari as an easy target, someone who won’t say no.

Then Ari finds a mysterious note in her locker that eventually leads her to a group of students determined to expose Luis for the predator he is. To her surprise, she finds genuine friendship among the group, including her growing feelings for the very last girl she expected to fall for. But in order to take Luis down, she’ll have to come to terms with the truth of what he did to her that night—and risk everything to see justice done.

Forever Is Now

by Mariama J. Lockington
Genres: Contemporary, LGBTQIA+, Young Adult
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A poignant and lyrical young adult novel-in-verse about a Black teen coming of age in an anxiety-inducing world, from the author of For Black Girls Like Me and In the Key of Us.

I'm safe here.

That's how Sadie feels, on a perfect summer day, wrapped in her girlfriend's arms. School is out, and even though she's been struggling to manage her chronic anxiety, Sadie is hopeful better times are ahead. Or at least, she thought she was safe. When her girlfriend reveals some unexpected news and the two witness a violent incident of police brutality unfold before them, Sadie's whole world is upended in an instant.

I'm not safe anywhere.

That's how Sadie feels every day after--vulnerable, uprooted. She retreats inside as the weeks slip by and relies on her phone to stay connected to the outside world. When Sadie's therapist gives her a diagnosis for her debilitating panic--agoraphobia--she starts on a path of acceptance and healing. Meanwhile, Sadie's best friend, Evan, updates her on the protests taking place in their city. Sadie wants to be a part of it, to use her voice and affect change. But how do you show up for your community when you can't even leave your house?

I can build a safe place inside myself.

That's what Sadie learns over the course of one life-changing summer, with some help from her family, her best friend, an online platform for activists, and a magnetic crush she develops for the new boy next door.

From Stonewall Honor-winning author Mariama J. Lockington comes Forever is Now, a powerful young adult novel-in-verse about mental health, love, family, Black joy, and finding your voice and power in an unforgiving world.

Of Light and Shadow: A Fantasy Romance Novel Inspired by Indian Mythology

by Tanaz Bhathena
on May 23, 2023
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
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Of Light and Shadow is a novel about magic, mayhem, love, and betrayal--the story of a bandit and a prince who change each other in unexpected ways.
When they don't give us our birthright, we steal it.

Roshan Chaya is out for justice. Abandoned by her parents at birth and adopted by the kingdom of Jwala's most notorious bandit before his brutal murder, she is now leader of the Shadow Clan, a gang of farmers-turned-bandits impoverished by the provincial governor's atrocities and corruption. Roshan's goal: to avenge her adoptive father and earn back rights and dignity for her people.

Prince Navin has always felt like an outcast. Second in line for the throne, he has never been close to his grandmother, Queen Bhairavi of Jwala. When a night out drinking with friends leads to his capture by the infamous Shadow Clan, Navin schemes to befriend Roshan and use her as a means to escape. His ploy, however, brings Navin closer to the corruption and poverty at the heart of Roshan's province, raising questions about its governor and Navin's own family.

To further complicate things, the closer Roshan and Navin get, the harder it becomes to fight their growing attraction. But how can they trust each other when the world as they know it starts to fall apart?

Set in a magical world inspired by the badlands of 17th century India, this standalone epic fantasy novel by Tanaz Bhathena is packed with political tensions, dangerous schemes, and swoon-worthy romance that asks the age old question: can love conquer all?

Something Like Possible

by Miel Moreland
Published by: Feiwel and Friends
on May 23, 2023
Genres: Contemporary, LGBTQIA+, Young Adult
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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

Ever Since

by Alena Bruzas
Published by: Rocky Pond Books
on May 23, 2023
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
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This intense, beautiful debut--perfect for fans of Nina LaCour and Kathleen Glasgow--is about the power of finding your voice and sharing your story after trauma.

Seventeen-year-old Virginia makes bad choices. In fact, she's That Kind of Girl, according to the whispers. But as long as she has her tight group of best friends by her side, she's able to ignore the gossipers. Until she finds herself spending time with Rumi, Poppy's boyfriend. Breaking with tradition, she doesn't hook up with Rumi. Worse, she falls in love with him.

While Virginia and Rumi's relationship grows in secret, she discovers that his little sister, Lyra, is being groomed for abuse. The soon-to-be-abuser is a respected member of the community, and only Virginia knows who he is and what he does. If she stays quiet, Lyra will become a victim. But coming forward feels equally impossible.

Riley Weaver Needs a Date to the Gaybutante Ball

by Jason June
Published by: HarperTeen
Genres: Contemporary, LGBTQIA+, Young Adult
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The next LGBTQ+ young adult rom-com from New York Times bestselling author Jason June (author of Jay's Gay Agenda and Out of the Blue).

Femme, gay teen podcaster Riley Weaver has made it to junior year, which means he can finally apply for membership into the Gaybutante Society, the LGBTQ+ organization that has launched dozens of queer teens' careers in pop culture, arts, and activism. The process to get into the society is a marathon of charity events, parties, and general gay chaos, culminating in the annual Gaybutante Ball. The one requirement for the ball? A date.

Then Riley overhears superstar athlete, Skylar, say that gay guys just aren't interested in femme guys or else they wouldn't be gay. Riley confronts Skylar and makes a bet to prove him wrong: Riley must find a masc date by the time of the Ball, or he'll drop out of the Society entirely. Riley decides to document the trials and tribulations of dating while femme in a brand-new podcast. Can Riley find a fella to fall for in time? Or will this be one massive--and publicly broadcast--femme failure?

This new novel from Jason June explores how labels can limit and liberate us and shows just what can happen when you bet on yourself.

Picture Perfect Boyfriend

by Becky Dean
Published by: Delacorte
on May 23, 2023
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
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Two strangers, one tropical island, and lots of lies in this funny beach romance from the author of Love & Other Great Expectations!

Aspiring nature photographer Kenzie Reed just can’t get her straitlaced family of optometrists to take her art seriously. She’s resigned to putting aside her dreams and accepting the depressing life that awaits her at the family business. She even makes up a fake, boring boyfriend—Jacob—to get her parents off her back.

But when the Reeds arrive in Hawaii for spring break, Kenzie is shocked that "Jacob" shows up at the airport—and joins their vacation. Kenzie can’t reveal him as a fraud without confessing her lie, so she’s stuck playing along while trying to find out who he really is.

No way is she going to actually fall for him—because even though he’s funny, nice, smart, and cute, he’s also a liar. Isn’t he?

Filled with warm summer breezes and salty sea air, Becky Dean’s Picture-Perfect Boyfriend will sweep you off your feet into a tropical paradise, sun on your shoulders—where love is just around a palm tree.

Lost in Taiwan (A Graphic Novel)

by Mark Crilley
on 5-23-23
Genres: Contemporary, Graphic Novel, Young Adult
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A story about stepping out of your comfort zone—literally—on an unlikely journey to making new connections and learning to explore the big wide world around you, Lost In Taiwan is the latest from celebrated graphic novelist Mark Crilley.

THIS WASN’T PAUL’S IDEA.

The last thing he’s interested in is exploring new countries or experiencing anything that might be described as “cultural enrichment.” But like it or not, he’s stuck with his brother, Theo, for two weeks in Taiwan, a place that—while fascinating to Theo—holds no interest to Paul at all.

While on a short trip to a local electronics store, Paul becomes hopelessly lost in Taiwan’s twisting, narrow streets, and he has no choice but to explore this new environment in his quest to find his way back to Theo’s apartment.

In an unfamiliar place with no friends—and no GPS!—there’s no telling what adventures he could happen upon. And who knows? Maybe it turns out he has friends in Taiwan, after all.
 

If You Still Recognize Me

by Cynthia So
Published by: HarperTeen
on June 9, 2022
Genres: Contemporary, LGBTQIA+, Young Adult
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This heartfelt, poignant YA debut is a second-chance summer romance that will steal your heart--perfect for fans of Heartstopper, Some Girls Do, and It's Not Like it's a Secret.

This summer, Elsie is finally going to confess her feelings to her longtime--and long-distance--crush. Ada's fanfics are to die for, and she just gets Elsie like no one else. That is, until Joan, Elsie's childhood best friend, literally walks back into her life and slots in like she never left. Like she never moved away to Hong Kong and never ignored Elsie's dozens of emails and letters.

Then Ada mentions her grandmother's own long-lost pen pal (and maybe love?), a woman who once lived only a train ride away from Elsie's Oxford home, and Elsie gets the idea for the perfect grand gesture. But as her plan to reunite the two older women ignites a summer of repairing broken bonds, Elsie starts to wonder if she, too, can recover the things she's lost...

With a beautifully earnest voice and a dash of fandom, this wistful and delightful novel is a love letter to queer coming-of-age, finding community, and finding yourself.

Magic Has No Borders

by Sona Charaipotra, Samira Ahmed, Sabaa Tahir, Sayantani DasGupta, Tanaz Bhathena, Sangu Mandanna, Olivia Chadha, Nafiza Azad, Tracey Baptiste, Naz Kutub, Nikita Gill, Swati Teerdhala, Shreya Ila Anasuya, Tahir Abrar, Preeti Chhibber
Published by: HarperTeen
on May 23, 2023
Genres: Anthology, Fantasy, Magical Realism, Mythology, Sci-Fi, Young Adult
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A pair of star-crossed lovers search for a way back to one another against all odds…
A girl fights for her life against a malignant, generations-old evil…
A peri seeks to reclaim her lost powers…
A warrior rebels against her foretold destiny…

From chudails and peris to jinn and goddesses, this lush collection of South Asian folklore, legends, and epics reimagines stories of old for a modern audience. This fantasy and science fiction teen anthology edited by Samira Ahmed and Sona Charaipotra contains a wide range of stories from fourteen bestselling, award-winning, and emerging writers from the South Asian diaspora that will surprise, delight, and move you. So read on, for after all, magic has no borders.

With stories by:▪Sabaa Tahir, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Ember in the Ashes series, and winner of the National Book Award and Printz Award for All My Rage▪Sayantani DasGupta, New York Times bestselling author of the Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond series▪Preeti Chhibber, author of Spider-Man’s Social Dilemma▪Sona Charaipotra, author of Symptoms of a Heartbreak and How Maya Got Fierce, and coauthor of The Rumor Game and Tiny Pretty Things, now a Netflix original series.▪Tanaz Bhathena, award-winning author of Hunted by the Sky and Of Light and Shadow▪Sangu Mandanna, bestselling author of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches and the Celestial Trilogy▪Olivia Chadha, author of Rise of the Red Hand▪Nafiza Azad, author of William C. Morris Award nominee, The Candle and the Flame▪Tracey Baptiste, New York Times bestselling author of The Jumbies series and Minecraft: The Crash▪Naz Kutub, author of The Loophole▪Nikita Gill, bestselling author of Wild Embers and Fierce Fairytales▪Swati Teerdhala, author of the Tiger at Midnight trilogy▪Shreya Ila Anasuya, New Voices selection▪Tahir Abrar, New Voices selection

Constellations

by Kate Glasheen
Published by: Holiday House
on 5-23-23
Genres: Contemporary, Graphic Novel, LGBTQIA+
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One kiss. One out-of-nowhere kiss in the woods. That's all it took for Claire's carefully balanced world to come crashing down in this debut graphic novel.

When friend Carli kisses Claire, Claire can't even begin to process why it happened. In 1980s upstate New York, it's wrong to be a girl who wants a girlfriend--but for Claire, girl is the only part that's wrong.

Barraged with harassment at school and home, Claire drinks to escape the pressure. When a drunken bike collision gets them sentenced to court-ordered rehab, Claire expects the worst. However, the rehab is a safe space; a place where they can be their true funny self, surrounded by new friends, and, with the help of a patient counselor, unpack the traumas they've experienced. But when rehab ends, will Claire be able to navigate the world of sobriety on their own?

Hand painted with ink and watercolor by debut author-artist Kate Glasheen, Constellations is a portrait of a teen in the margins but determined to find their way ahead. It's Claire's story and it's Claire's values that will guide them, like constellations in the night sky, to a better future.

City of Vicious Night (Requiem Dark, #2)

by Claire Winn
Published by: Flux
on May 23, 2023
Genres: LGBTQIA+, Sci-Fi, Young Adult
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For the most hated crew on Requiem, the only way out is up.

It’s been four months since runaway heiress Asa crash-landed on the matriarchal outlaw colony Requiem, bringing a nasty AI and a host of deadly secrets with her. Now, she runs with her almost-girlfriend Riven’s smuggler crew, stealing kisses between gunfights and heists. But when a mysterious hacker sabotages their latest job, other gangs turn against them, blaming them for the destruction the rogue AI caused. Nowhere in the city is safe.
The only way to protect their crew is a series of trials for control of an underworld faction–and vying for a matriarch’s throne is a dream Riven can’t let go. But as the trials intensify, the saboteur hounds Asa and Riven’s every step, determined to kill Asa and right her father’s wrongs. When the saboteur reveals a horrific conspiracy threatening all of Requiem–one involving the crew member they thought they’d lost–the girls must decide whether to risk their own skins for a city that loathes them.