One great high school gay novel is 'Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe'. It beautifully portrays the relationship between two boys, Ari and Dante, as they grow up, face family issues, and explore their identities.
'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' can also be considered. While not strictly a 'gay novel', it has a significant gay character, Patrick. The book delves deep into the lives of high school students, their friendships, and their struggles, including those related to sexual orientation.
One of the best high school novels is 'The Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger. It really captures the angst and confusion of a high - school - aged protagonist. Another great one is 'To Kill a Mockingbird' which, while dealing with much larger themes of racism and justice, also shows high - school - aged Scout growing up and learning about the world around her. And 'Perks of Being a Wallflower' is also a popular high school novel that delves into the experiences of a shy, introverted high school student.
There's a story about a high school where a gay student, Matt, was feeling isolated. However, his teacher, Mr. Johnson, noticed this. Mr. Johnson was very supportive. He started a club in the school called 'Diversity and Inclusion'. In this club, students could talk about different identities and support each other. Matt found a lot of friends there, and the club became a safe space for all the gay students in the high school. It was a great example of how support can transform a difficult situation in high school for gay students.
There was a story about two high school guys, Mark and Alex. Mark was new to the school and a bit shy. Alex was very outgoing. They met in the school's drama club. Alex immediately befriended Mark and introduced him to all his friends. They discovered they both loved classic movies. They started a movie - watching club just for the two of them. Their friendship was so special that they were always there for each other, whether it was dealing with family issues or just having a bad day at school.
One inspiring story is about a gay teen who started a LGBTQ+ support club in his high school. Despite facing initial resistance from some students and even a bit of pushback from the school administration at first, he persevered. Through his efforts, more and more students became aware of the importance of acceptance and equality. He organized events like Pride Week within the school, which not only gave a platform for gay teens to feel proud of who they are but also educated the whole school community about different sexual orientations.
Some great high school senior novels include 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen. The complex relationships and social commentary in it can be eye - opening for seniors. 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald is also a must - read. It shows the hollowness of the American Dream and has beautiful prose. Then there's 'Lord of the Flies' by William Golding. It explores human nature and how quickly things can descend into chaos without the trappings of civilization, which is an important lesson for high school seniors about to face the real world.
One of the best is 'Friday Night Lights' by H.G. Bissinger. It gives a vivid account of high school football in Texas, exploring the culture, the players' lives, and the intense pressure. Another great one is 'The Curveball' which delves into the world of high school baseball, with its themes of friendship and competition. Also, 'Running with the Buffaloes' about cross - country running in high school is quite good.
A really good high school love novel is 'Fangirl' by Rainbow Rowell. The main character, Cath, is a fangirl who falls in love during her college years, but a lot of the story is set in her high school memories and experiences that shape her relationships. 'Anna and the French Kiss' by Stephanie Perkins is also a popular choice. It follows Anna who is sent to a boarding school in Paris and there she meets Étienne St. Clair, and their relationship develops throughout her time in France. It has a great setting and a sweet love story. 'Since You've Been Gone' by Morgan Matson is also a great one. It's about Emily who has to complete a list of tasks left by her best friend, and during this process, she also experiences new love in high school.
A great high school gay novel is often one that can break stereotypes. It doesn't just focus on the fact that the character is gay but also on their other aspects like their dreams, their friendships with all kinds of people. Take 'Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe' again. Ari is not just defined by his sexual orientation. He has a complex family situation and his own set of insecurities. Also, the writing style matters. If it's engaging and easy to read, like 'Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda', it can draw in more readers. And if it can teach something about acceptance and love in a high school setting, like all of these novels do in different ways, it becomes one of the best.
They often focus on self - discovery. In high school, characters in these novels are usually figuring out their sexual identity. For example, in 'Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda', Simon has to come to terms with being gay while dealing with high school life.
One common theme is self - discovery. High school is a time when many people, including gay teens, are trying to figure out who they are. For example, in novels like 'Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda', the main character has to come to terms with his sexual orientation.