LGBTQIA+ folk have, of course, always existed, but many of the stories of our presence throughout history are only now being told. Here's a list of YA fiction set in the past - whether it's 30 or 300 years ago, these stories shine a light on the past and reimagine these worlds to put rainbow characters and stories front and centre. We use the hashtag #ownvoices when the author and the main character share an identity.
The list is ordered by the time period the book is set in. A Christchurch City Libraries' list.
Set in the early 90's, this story follows a young woman, Cam, who is dealing with the grief of losing her parents alongside the guilt because of the relief she experienced knowing they'll never know she had been kissing a girl when they…
New York, 1989. Reza, a closeted Iranian boy, has just moved to the city. All he's seen of gay life is photos in the news of men dying of AIDS, and he's terrified of coming out. Enter Judy, a creative and outspoken student with an out and…
Set in the 80's in Texas, about Aristotle, an angry teen with a brother in prison, and Dante, a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But a…
Tammy and Sharon are paired as pen-pals in a school project, and as their friendship grows, their letters become a safe haven, a place where they can both be fully themselves. Tammy knows she is a lesbian, but can't be out anywhere -…
Small town USA, 1973. 16-year-old Jonathan lives alone with his alcoholic father, and he retreats into the world and music of Ziggy Stardust to escape his isolated life. In the real world, he's having trouble at school, and is receiving…
When 18-year-old Janet stumbles across some lesbian romance novels, she develops a new-found desire to write her own story. But it is 1955, and she must keep her writing dreams, as well as her relationship, secret for fear of exposing her…
Set in 1954, this is an engaging and detailed read about Lilly Hu, a Chinese-American 17-year-old who falls in love at the Telegraph Club, a lesbian bar. Against the backdrop of San Francisco, Red-Scare paranoia, and a community of people…
If you like your history with a little bit of fantasy, this one is for you! Set in 1889 Paris, this book follows a diverse group of friends as they work together to pull off a dramatic heist against the backdrop of the Exposition…
This fast-paced novel combines mystery, adventure, and queer romance in a not-quite-historically-accurate but very fun tale of three 18th century teenagers on a grand tour of Europe. The narrator, Monty, is flawed, loveable, and…
'All Out' is an anthology of short stories featuring a diverse range of teens living full, queer lives across time. Written by an all-star line-up of some of the best YA authors in the business, this is a great read if you want bite size…
