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Moms Must Read:
LGBT Books for Teens

Since June is LGBT Awareness month we at Good Enough Mother thought it would be a great idea to introduce you to a few books on this topic that are geared toward teens. Yes, it’s true, there are good mainstream LGBT titles for teen readers. Regardless of orientation teens are much more receptive to the LGBT community than their adult counterparts usually are. Plus, like I always say, kids want to read books about people who are like them.  LGBT Young Adult titles are good. They explore the issues that most teens struggle with: identity, growing up, friendships, and relationships. What I’m most often pleased with about literature today is that just because a teen character identifies as LGBT, the character is not wholly that one quality. Teens won’t tolerate stereotypical depictions; they want characters who are comprised of many qualities.

Here are 5 must read titles that depict LGBT characters who are more than their sexual orientation.

4.  Boy Meets Boy By David Levithan

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David Levithan is not afraid to present hot button LGBT topics to teens.  He does so here in Boy Meets Boy.  Remember the idea of gender identity from the last book? Levithan explores this topic in a big way.

This is the story of Paul, a sophomore at a high school like no other: The cheerleaders ride Harleys, the homecoming queen used to be a guy named Daryl (she now prefers Infinite Darlene and is also the star quarterback), and the gay-straight alliance was formed to help the straight kids learn how to dance.

When Paul meets Noah, he thinks he’s found the one his heart is made for. Until he blows it. The school bookie says the odds are 12-to-1 against him getting Noah back, but Paul’s not giving up without playing his love really loud. His best friend Joni might be drifting away, his other best friend Tony might be dealing with ultra-religious parents, and his ex-boyfriend Kyle might not be going away anytime soon, but sometimes everything needs to fall apart before it can really fit together right.

Maybe Levithan sees the world as it ought to be: a place where people are free to choose their own gender and still become or attain wild popularity in high school. And who doesn't love the name Infinite Darlene?  Adding this to my long list of David Levithan TBR (To Be Read) list. And speaking of David Levithan...