Blood Sport - Jason, A Trans Male Teen, Tries To Solve His Sister's Mysterious Death

Blood Sport by Tash McAdam

Jason is sure his sister, Becca, was murdered, but he's the only one who thinks so. After finding a photograph Becca kept hidden, he decides to infiltrate a boxing gym to prove that she didn't die accidentally. As a transgender kid, Jason's been fighting for as long as he can remember, and those skills are going to come in handy as he investigates. Quickly invited into the inner circle, Jason must balance newfound friendships with the burning hate that drives him. Jason soon feels torn between two worlds, determined to discover what happened to his sister but struggling with the fact that this is the first time he's ever felt like he belonged somewhere.

This #OwnVoices novel got a starred review from School Library Journal, who called it "a rip-roaring read..." Add your review of "Blood Sport" in comments!

Romeo for Real - A Gay Teen Struggles with Coming Out

Romeo For Real by Markus Harwood-Jones

On the surface, Romeo has it all: success on the basketball court, a group of friends, and the beautiful Rosie. Deep down he knows something is missing: all he feels for Rosie is friendship. Everything changes when he shares a kiss with openly gay Julian at a party. Despite their obvious attraction, Romeo is less sure of himself than ever, and leaves without even telling Julian his name.

With Rosie’s support, Romeo begins exploring his sexuality—and ends up running into Julian again. Realizing how little he knows about other sexual orientations and gender identities, Romeo begins to see the world in a whole new light, and he and Julian begin to fall in love. But his homophobic friends and family can’t accept him as gay. After a violent confrontation with one of his old friends, Romeo becomes determined to prove that his love for Julian is real and right.

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The Fight: A Teen Rallies Against Her School District's 'Neutrality' Policy -- A Policy that Keeps Her High School Homophobic

The Fight: Surviving Southside by Elizabeth Karre

When Bella witnesses an anti-gay attack in the school - and a teacher who doesn't intervene - she decides to join the school's GSA. But then she discovers it's an 'unofficial' club, since no teacher will get involved. She digs deeper, and discovers the district's "neutrality" policy - a policy that had ended up being anything but neutral. Can she and fellow GSAer Zoe rally their community against it?

Add to that a girl in school, June, that Bella just might be crushing on...

"The Fight" is part of the Surviving Southside series,

a 12-book set of high-interest YA urban novels that's written at a fourth-grade reading level, specifically designed for reluctant and striving readers, including those who read below grade level or are ESL/ELL students. All of the stories feature diverse characters who go to school at Southside High. As in any teen life, getting through the day is no picnic, whether you're the star quarterback or the quiet artist.

Add your review of "The Fight" in comments. You can check out the Kirkus review of the book here.

The Questions Within - A High Interest / Easy To Read Teen Novel With A Questioning/Lesbian Main Character

The Questions Within by Teresa Schaeffer

Constance is not like the other girls. She prefers comfort and function over fashion. Even as a young girl, Constance has known that she’s different. Her high school days are a journey through loneliness, shame, and anger because she does not understand who she is, and she’s been taught that being gay — being a lesbian — is shameful. She feels different, and in her mind different is bad. She cannot connect with her straight-laced mother or many kids at school. Two people become instrumental in changing her attitude: her friend, Kara, and her counselor and therapist, Ms. Summerfield.

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Breaking Dawn - A High Interest / Easy To Read Teen Novel With A Gay Main Character

Breaking Dawn by Donna Shelton

Perry and Dawn have been glued at the hip since first grade. Their bond was instantaneous. The two had their own little language for their own little world. Perry came from a broken home, but at Dawn’s house, he was accepted for who he was—homosexual. But during her senior year in high school Dawn falls in love with Perry’s secret crush. As Dawn dates the popular high school football player, their lifelong friendship is torn apart by jealousy. Then Perry’s secret about his homosexuality is revealed with devastating consequences—and it is all Dawn’s fault!

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