On this page you will find:

1. A book list

Note: I have not read all of these books but have at least found them on recommended lists.

Crutcher, Chris. Ironman. This young adult (YA) novel has won wide acclaim.  The American Library Association (ALA) chose it as a Best Book for Young Adults while the School Library Journal picked it as Best Book of the Year.  Bo Brewster loses a spot on the high school football team and must attend an Anger Management Group. There he meets several other persons who have defenses that are raised high. In the course of events, Bo comes to learn that someone close to him is gay. I enjoyed this adolescent novel.

Garden, Nancy. Annie on My Mind. Seventeen year old Liza meets Annie at a museum and they soon become friends and then lovers.  Though the writing is rather conventional, this book is still a classic of same-sex literature for young adults.  The ALA chose it as a Best Book of 1982 and Booklist chose it for its Reviewer’s Choice.

Miller, Neil. Out of the Past. This nonfiction book gives an account of gay and lesbian history from 1869 to the mid-1990’s.  Though there are some historical errors, and though the book sometimes reads like a history text, it is an interesting account of the history of a minority group that is so often kept invisible.

Shilts, Randy. Conduct Unbecoming. I found this interesting and disturbing book about gays in the military to be very readable and compelling.  The author combines the personal with the political as he explores the role gay persons have played in the armed forces.

Bauer, Marion (editor). Am I Blue? This anthology was very good, though I thought a couple of the stories are for more mature teens. The book contains 16 stories by YA writers who present a variety of gay-positive experiences for youth.  Though the stories often focus on the struggle of being part of a minority group, they also show the pride, affection and love of gay teens.  Booklist and Kirkus Reviews both say that this book should be in every YA collection.

Koertge, Ron. Arizona Kid. ALA named this Young Adult novel as one of the top 100 published between 1966 and 1999.  Billy comes to terms with what is important in life as he is sent to live with his gay uncle in Arizona. There Billy falls in love with Cara, a rodeo horse rider.

Pollack, Rachel and Cheryl Schwartz.. The Journey Out. This handbook for gay and lesbian teens offers advice in areas such as discovering and coming to terms with one’s gay sexual orientation, coming out, dating, and dealing with homophobia.

Aarons, Leroy. Prayers for Bobby. I found this to be a moving, sad yet triumphant nonfiction account of a mother who comes to terms with her own role in the suicide of her teen-age son.  Note that some language is strong and that the book expresses strongly the family’s eventual conflict with organized religion.

Baldwin, James.  Giovanni’s Room. Set in Paris of the earlier part of the 20^th century, an American finds himself involved with both a man and a woman, caught between desire and conventional morality.  A book for more mature readers, this novel explores love, death and passion and the cruelty of trying to live a lie.

Duberman, Martin.  Stonewall.  This history account describes and interprets the five days of riots that began on June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn in New York. The book was chosen as a Book-of-the-Month Club selection.

Fricke, Aaron. Reflections of a Rock Lobster. This is the true story of a gay boy growing up in Rhode Island.  He made national news when he took a male date to his senior prom.  This is his story of coming to terms with being different from the mainstream.  This is a fast read, though it is not a particularly well-written book.

Harwood, Gean. The Oldest Gay Couple in America. The true account of a gay couple that has been together for almost 70 years. It is a story of love, devotion and commitment in good and in bad times.  It is the story of isolation and fear in a homophobic society, and of courage and creativity. An interesting book for the most part.

Heron, Ann (ed.).  One Teenager in Ten.  Stories of real teens.

Homes, A. M. Jack.  This Young Adult book is about an adolescent coming to grips with the realization that his parents’ divorce was caused because his father admitted he was gay. The book explores the restoration of the relationship between father and son.  This is an easy read that does contain some mature language.

Johnson, Fenton. Geography of the Heart. This memoir recounts the history of how the author fell in love, learned to be with someone else, and coped with the death of the man he loved.  This easily read memoir won the American Library Association’s award for gay nonfiction literature. A sad yet profoundly moving and honest book.

Kaiser, Charles. The Gay Metropolis.  A very readable and enjoyable look at the history of gay America from the 1940’s to the present. This history is told through a variety of anecdotes of people who lived during the time periods examined.  Winner of the Lambda Literary Award.

Mixner, David. Stranger Among Friends.  This nonfiction account of one of America’s best known political activists details the author’s struggle to come to terms with his sexuality while helping to lead anti-Viet Nam War demonstrations and while working for gay and other rights.  A fascinating and personal account of 30 years of activism in the United States.

Monette, Paul. Becoming a Man.  This autobiography, which does contain mature themes and strong language, details the life of a gay man growing to self-acceptance.  The book is on the National Book Foundation’s Recommended Reading List. It won the National Book Award in 1992.

Reynolds, Marilyn. Love Rules.  The story of Kit, a lesbian teen, and how her friends and family handle her coming out. This novel covers many aspects of the coming out experience.  Some mature situations and language.

Steffan, Joseph. Honor Bound. Steffan had risen to the top of his class at the Naval Academy by the end of his senior year.  Living up to the Navy’s code of honor, he admitted he was gay when asked by a superior officer, thus destroying his own potential career. I found this to be a very interesting book that poses many questions about honor, integrity and institutional prejudice.

Sanchez, Alex. Rainbow Boys.  I enjoyed this YA book. The ALA chose it as one of the best YA novels for 2002. The novel very nicely explores the lives of three gay high school seniors coming to terms with their sexuality and life in a homophobic school. What is nice is that there are a variety of gay characters rather than only stereotypes..

Sanchez, Alex. Rainbow High. Sanchez continues the story of three gay teens as they finish high school and prepare to move on with life.  Like the first book, I also like this one.  There is an occasional scene which some may find a bit controversial, but overall this young adult novel will pull in most readers. The Alex Sanchez Home Page lists many teen books dealing with GLB issues. He also has other resources geared toward coming out and other teen concerns.
 
Griffin, C. Beyond Acceptance. This book is really for parents most of all.  It helps to explain what their child might be going through as he/she comes to terms with being gay. It also addresses issues important to parents of gay youth and provides information that will help to strengthen the family bond.  A good book even though it is a little old at this time.

Dew, Robb. The Family Heart. This is a very nicely done book that is especially for parents. Dew tells the personal journey she and her family took when her son came out. The book won wide acclaim from reviewers.

Walling, D. Open Lives, Safe Schools. This collection of essays is especially good for educators and others who want to understand how gay issues impact the school and how schools can be made safer and more welcoming for all persons regardless of sexual orientation.

Mastoon, A. The Shared Heart. This is a book of photographs of gay and lesbian youth who also give a short written portrait of what it means to be a gay youth today.  The book shows the diversity of gay teens and breaks stereotypes and presents being gay in a very positive light as it helps teens to know that they are not alone.

Louganis, Greg. Breaking the Surface. This autobiography by Olympic diver Louganis describes how he came to accept himself after a long struggle. It also explores the issue of gays in sports.  Though it is not especially well written, I did find it interesting to see how he overcame such extreme self-doubt and insecurities to be able to come out not only as a gay man, but a a HIV-positive man.

Marcus, Eric. Is It a Choice? This is a book of questions and answers appropriate for youth, parents and allies. Marcus carefully answers all kinds of questions that people have, but are often afraid to ask, about what it means to be a gay person today.  I found this book helpful.

Bass, Ellen. Free Your Mind. This is a book for gay youth and their parents, friends, teachers and allies. I was not overly impressed with this book as a whole, though it did have some sections that were good.  There is a good section for adults who want to work to make “the world” a better place for gay youth. The authors look at topics such as coming out, dealing with friends and family, finding spiritual and community support and others.

Brown, Rita Mae. Rubyfruit Jungle. This Young Adult novel was one of the first for lesbians.  It has since become a classic in this genre. Donna E. Shalala, Secretary of Health and Human Services, said of the novel's heroine:" Molly Bolt is a genuine descendant--genuine female descendant--of Huckleberry Finn. And Rita Mae Brown is, like Mark Twain, a serious writer who gets her messages across through laughter."

Walker, Kate. Peter. In this YA novel from Australia, Peter, a fifteen year-old student who has always been uncomfortable with girls, finds himself thinking about his brother’s gay friend from college.  I have not read this, but see that the reviews are rather lukewarm.

Chandler, Kurt. Passages of Pride. Journalist, Kurt Chandler, interviews six gay and lesbian teens from St. Paul, to discover what life is like for them.  Though much of the book seems like so many others like it, I did find myself enjoying it as I skimmed it.

Heron, Ann. Two Teenagers in Twenty. This nonfiction book presents the testimonies of close to 40 gay youth ages 12-24.   It is a book appropriate for youth as well as straight allies. A companion to this book is called One Teenager in Ten.  I liked both of these books.

Bernstein, Robert. Straight Parents, Gay Children. Coming out is hard on the gay person, but it is also hard for the parents who must also go through a kind of coming out.  After the author’s daughter came out to the family, they had to journey from merely tolerating her sexual orientation to accepting her and supporting her fully.  A good book for parents, teachers, clergy and other allies.

Clark, Don. Loving Someone Gay. This book by a gay man explores questions and issues what it is to be gay.  It explores how gay people interact with each other and the world about them.  The first edition was a groundbreaking book for the general audience.

Cowan, Thomas. Gay Men and Women Who Enriched the World. This book presents short biographical sketches of gays and lesbians throughout history who have helped to shape the world.

Woog, Dan. School's Out. This book, which is especially good for teachers and other persons interested in our schools, explores how gay issues have impacted education.  It is based on a study Woog conducted with 300 persons.

Marcus, Eric. What If Someone I Know is Gay. Like his earlier book, Is It A Choice? ,the author frankly answers questions about gay and lesbian persons.

Due, Linnea. Joining the Tribe. A portrait of gay and lesbian teens from across America, including interviews and analysis.  An informative book.

Fairchild, Betty.  Now That You Know. Mothers of gay children write about how parents can respond supportively to their own gay and lesbian child.

Ford, Michael. Outspoken. Six men and five women serve as positive role models as they tell how they have come to accept their sexual orientation.

Rench, Janice. Understanding Sexual Identity. A book of questions and answers about being gay and what it means to be a teen attempting to understand sexual identity.

Singer, Bennett. Growing Up Gay/Growing Up Lesbian. Noted authors share their stories as well as write fictional accounts about growing up gay and lesbian.

Block, Francesca Lia.  Baby Be-Bop. In this Young Adult novel, Dick’s dead father and great-grandmother visit him and help him come to terms with being gay.

Kerr, M. E. Deliver Us From Evie.  Evie’s romance, in this YA novel, threatens her family’s small farm.

Kerr, M.E. Hello, I Lied. In this YA novel, 17 year old Lang tries to decide how to come out to his friends while struggling with an infatuation with a girl from France.

Wieler, Fiana. Bad Boy. During his senior year of high school, A.J. comes to learn that his best friend is gay.

Neihart, Ben.  Hey, Joe.  This YA novel is set in New Orleans where youth and adulthood, gay and straight, black and white meet. The “big” questions of the book include who am I? who am I becoming? and who can I become?  This novel contains mature scenes.

Voight, Cynthia. David and Jonathan.  This YA novel of friendship, “otherness,” and the Holocaust and survivor syndrome provides a rich YA-novel experience.

Walker, Alice. The Color Purple.  Shug Avery sees the beauty and value of Celie. As their love grows, so does Celie’s esteem. This novel does contain some scenes better suited for mature readers.

Woodson, Jacqueline. From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun. This YA novel is about how Melanin eventually comes to accept his lesbian mother and the race of her white girlfriend.

Crutcher, Chris. Athletic Shorts. A collection of YA stories about athletic youth, two of which have gay themes.

Hamilton, RJ. Who Framed Lorenzo Garcia?   The first in a series of mystery YA novels. It also provides a look at the problems gay teens may experience in a homophobic society. 

Romesburg, Don (ed). Young, Gay and Proud. A guide by and for gay teens.

Sutton, Roger. Hearing Us Out. A collection of interviews designed to give young adults a sense of gays and lesbians as members of a community. Winner of the 1995 Hungry Mind Review award for young adult nonfiction.

Sweeny, Joyce. Face the Dragon. Eric’s feelings of competitiveness towards his best friend threaten their friendship.  Then, when Paul comes out and is attacked, Eric realizes that his friend needs him  A YA novel.

Harbeck, K.  Coming Out of the Classroom Closet. A, exploration of gay students, teachers and curricula.

Woog, Dan. Jocks.  Nonfiction accounts of gay high school and college athletes and coaches dealing with sexual orientation issues.

Cohen, S. When Someone You Know is Gay.  Addresses straight teens who are uncomfortable knowing someone who is gay.

McNeill, John. Taking a Chance on God.  This wonderful book written by an ordained priest and psychotherapist is very readable.  The author looks at major Christian questions from a gay perspective.  The book is especially good for those persons the church has wounded. I highly recommend this book.

Chbosky, Stephan. The Perks of Being a Wallflower. USA Today claims that this Amazon.Com #1 Young Adult Novel is written in the tradition of Catcher in the Rye and A Separate Peace.  I’m not sure that I would say this novel is THAT good, but it is well written.  Though the protagonist goes through many trials as he comes of age in high school, the reader always likes Charlie. I would caution, though, that this YA novel is for more mature readers.

Lipkin, Arthur. Understanding Homosexuality, Changing Schools. The author, an instructor at the Harvard University School of Education explores thirteen topics related to gay persons and schools. The book provided much useful information for those involved in making our schools more inclusive and equitable. 

Harris, Mary.  School Experiences of Gay and Lesbian Youth. The editor has collected several recent research reports on the experiences of gay youth in the schools.

Womack, Craig. Drowning in Fire. This is a coming of age story of a gay native American.  It is a novel about the struggles to reconcile conflicting messages of cultures as one discovers and creates a sense of self. I liked this novel. 

Miller, Stuart. Prayer Warriors. A harrowing account of of Miller’s family’s reaction to their son’s coming out.

Piazza, Michail. Holy Homosexuals. Rev. Piazza challenges people to look at God in another light.

White, Mel.  Stranger at the Gate.  Rev. White details the difficulty he had in coming out in light of his church’s teachings.

Wittlinger, Ellen. Hard Love. This novel has won awards such as the ALA Michael Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature and the Lambda Literary Award.  The novel explores not only the unrequited love between a lesbian and straight male teen, but also the preoccupation with identity.

Cart, Michael. My Father’s Scar. A gay college freshman recalls life with his abusive father in a prejudiced community.

Ferris, Jean.  Eight Seconds. 18-year old John confronts his own sexuality when he finds himself attracted to another male.

Garden, Nancy. Good Moon Rising. Jan starts senior year and confronts many challenges, including the discovery that she is lesbian.

Garden, Nancy. Holly’s Secret. Eleven year old Holly decides to hide the fact that she has two moms.

Rench, Janice. Understanding Sexual Identity. A guide for GLB teens and their friends. Presents information in a question and answer format.

Reid, John.  (Andrew Tobias) The Best Little Boy in the World. An account of growing up gay.

McNaught, Brian. On Being Gay:  Thoughts on Family, Faith and Love. Explores many concerns of those who are gay.

Bess, Howard.  Pastor, I Am Gay.  Explores issues of spirituality.

Ketchum, Liza. Blue Coyote. Alex learns the reasons behind his friend’s disappearance and discovers  hidden truths about himself.

Larson, Roger. What I Know Now. A 14 year old gay boy falls in love and finds his world changing.

Watts, Julia. Finding H.F. This adolescent novel won the Lambda Book Award for Young Adult Literature. 16 year old Heavenly Faith Simms and her friend, Bo, feel like misfits in their rural town in Kentucky. The two take a road trip that forever changes their lives and helps them to come to an acceptance of their sexual orientation.

Alumit, Noel.  Letters to Montgomery Clift. I very much liked this debut novel.  Though the protagonist, Bong Bong Luwad, is gay,  the novel is about so much more. It is a novel about loss and the search for an end to sorrow.  Bong Bong searches for his mother and father who disappeared during the Marcos reign in the Philippine Islands. 

Soehnlein, K. M. The World of Normal Boys.  This winner of the Lambda Literary Award is a fast and enjoyable novel. The protagonist, Robin, is a young teen who is awakening to his sexuality in the 1970’s. The novel is also about a world where conformity is rewarded and differences are cause for torment.

Read, Kirk. How I Learned to Snap.  I highly recommend this book though some persons may find some parts rather controversial.  True, it is yet another coming-out, coming-of-age story that portrays the struggles and joys of coming out while in high school. Most of all, though, the book is a loving tribute to the author’s family  The book feels honest and full of personality so it is difficult to put down.  This autobiographical account was nominated as a Lambda Literary Award Finalist and as an American Library Association Honored Book.