Yesterday, Netflix made the unfortunate decision to cancel their show One Day at a Time. Viewers all over social media are rallying to get the show picked up by another network because they are all in love with the groundbreaking characters and storylines. This show is especially loved for showcasing great Latinx, queer characters and storylines as well as storylines focused on mental health.
While I truly hope that this show gets picked up and renewed, I also know that, in the meantime, people are missing this incredible story. Today, I wanted to share some wonderful YA books that showcase some of the wonderful queer and Latinx voices that are taking the world of literature by storm.
While I truly hope that this show gets picked up and renewed, I also know that, in the meantime, people are missing this incredible story. Today, I wanted to share some wonderful YA books that showcase some of the wonderful queer and Latinx voices that are taking the world of literature by storm.
Wild Beauty by Anna-Marie McLemore
Anna-Marie McLemore writes many beautiful stories focused on Latinx and LGBT+ characters so, really, you should be checking out all of her titles. Wild Beauty is one that I'm specifically highlighting because of the sheer amount of queer, Latina women in the story. The story follows five girls of the Nomeolvides family. All of whom are queer, in love with the same person, and believe that their love is cursed. This story is beautiful, lyrical, deep, emotional, and has an underlying yet overt theme of marginalized agency in the face of colonization. There is also a relationship between a female character and a genderqueer character in this book for those who loved the f/nb couple in One Day at a Time.
Anna-Marie McLemore writes many beautiful stories focused on Latinx and LGBT+ characters so, really, you should be checking out all of her titles. Wild Beauty is one that I'm specifically highlighting because of the sheer amount of queer, Latina women in the story. The story follows five girls of the Nomeolvides family. All of whom are queer, in love with the same person, and believe that their love is cursed. This story is beautiful, lyrical, deep, emotional, and has an underlying yet overt theme of marginalized agency in the face of colonization. There is also a relationship between a female character and a genderqueer character in this book for those who loved the f/nb couple in One Day at a Time.
What If It's Us by Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli
Again, I really could have highlighted any of Adam Silvera's books here. All of his main characters are Latino, queer, and are usually dealing with some variety of mental illness. I picked this book to highlight because I think the story, which is often deep and real while still having many trappings of a rom-com, will really appeal to fans of One Day at a Time. This book is told in two POVs and Adam's character, Ben, is Puerto Rican and gay. Mostly, this is a fun story about a New York City meet cute, but the relationship hits bumpy patches that lets the authors touch on bigger topics such as Ben's lower income family, struggles with academics, and complex relationship with his heritage.
Again, I really could have highlighted any of Adam Silvera's books here. All of his main characters are Latino, queer, and are usually dealing with some variety of mental illness. I picked this book to highlight because I think the story, which is often deep and real while still having many trappings of a rom-com, will really appeal to fans of One Day at a Time. This book is told in two POVs and Adam's character, Ben, is Puerto Rican and gay. Mostly, this is a fun story about a New York City meet cute, but the relationship hits bumpy patches that lets the authors touch on bigger topics such as Ben's lower income family, struggles with academics, and complex relationship with his heritage.
Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova
The first book in the Brooklyn Brujas series, Labyrinth Lost follows Alex, a powerful bruja who doesn't want her powers. At her Deathday celebration, she tries to make her magic vanish... but accidentally makes her whole family vanish instead. Building on Latinx lore and culture, this book follows the trapping of paranormal fantasy stories in a new way. The main character, Alex, is bisexual and this book shows her in a love triangle with both a male and a female love interest.
The first book in the Brooklyn Brujas series, Labyrinth Lost follows Alex, a powerful bruja who doesn't want her powers. At her Deathday celebration, she tries to make her magic vanish... but accidentally makes her whole family vanish instead. Building on Latinx lore and culture, this book follows the trapping of paranormal fantasy stories in a new way. The main character, Alex, is bisexual and this book shows her in a love triangle with both a male and a female love interest.
Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera
Following a Puerto Rican lesbian from the Bronx, this book is a coming of age story about intersectional feminism and identity. After a less-than-ideal coming out to her family, Juliet decides to intern with her favorite author who is an authority on all things feminism. Moving to Portland brings her into a new community where she finds a queer family who help her grow into her identity as a queer woman of color. This book is a beautiful exploration of identity and all of its intersections. This is a great book for those who enjoyed how One Day at a Time wasn't afraid to tackle a lot of tough and intersectional issues.
Following a Puerto Rican lesbian from the Bronx, this book is a coming of age story about intersectional feminism and identity. After a less-than-ideal coming out to her family, Juliet decides to intern with her favorite author who is an authority on all things feminism. Moving to Portland brings her into a new community where she finds a queer family who help her grow into her identity as a queer woman of color. This book is a beautiful exploration of identity and all of its intersections. This is a great book for those who enjoyed how One Day at a Time wasn't afraid to tackle a lot of tough and intersectional issues.
Like Water by Rebecca Podos
Like Water is a book about two flawed and still-in-progress people finding each other in a hard world. A character driven story from the start, Vanni's plans for after graduation turn upside down when her father gets diagnosed with Huntington’s disease. She desperately needs a friend and she finds one in Leigh, someone disillusioned with small-town life and trying to become someone greater. Vanni is Latina and bisexual and, throughout the course of the novel, Leigh is figuring out her own genderqueer identity. Definitely consider this book if you are looking for more f/nb couples in the stories you read.
Like Water is a book about two flawed and still-in-progress people finding each other in a hard world. A character driven story from the start, Vanni's plans for after graduation turn upside down when her father gets diagnosed with Huntington’s disease. She desperately needs a friend and she finds one in Leigh, someone disillusioned with small-town life and trying to become someone greater. Vanni is Latina and bisexual and, throughout the course of the novel, Leigh is figuring out her own genderqueer identity. Definitely consider this book if you are looking for more f/nb couples in the stories you read.
We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Key Mejia
This book is a brand new release by a debut author and, frankly, I've been very hyped for it for awhile. The story follows Dani, an undocumented immigrant living in a strict, dystopian society. Her parents have sacrificed everything to give her a future at the Medio School for Girls that will train her to be married and fulfill a role in her husband's household. Things get more complicated when Dani is asked to spy for the resistance... and when she falls into forbidden love. Most, if not all, of the characters in this story are Latinx and there is a main f/f relationship.
This book is a brand new release by a debut author and, frankly, I've been very hyped for it for awhile. The story follows Dani, an undocumented immigrant living in a strict, dystopian society. Her parents have sacrificed everything to give her a future at the Medio School for Girls that will train her to be married and fulfill a role in her husband's household. Things get more complicated when Dani is asked to spy for the resistance... and when she falls into forbidden love. Most, if not all, of the characters in this story are Latinx and there is a main f/f relationship.
I hope you found a great book to read while we keep tweeting to #SaveODAAT. If you are looking for more great queer and Latinx books, be sure to stop by the QueerBooksforTeens website which lets you filter tons of queer YA books by different intersectional identities!