We look for ourselves in fiction. A great book resonates with us as we empathize with a protagonist’s struggles and triumphs, and encourages us to step into their shoes as they set off on a fantastic journey. Expanding our world with different perspectives is part of the thrill of reading, but it can be very lonely to only read books where there isn’t anybody like you.
Here are some recommended books in the Southfield Public Library catalog with commentary by the article’s writer. If you don’t see a copy available, contact a librarian to place an item on hold for you!
 | Luna Peters, Julie Anne An unforgettable novel about a transgender teen's struggle for self-identity and acceptance. Our Catalog |
 | Beautiful Music for Ugly Children Conn-Mills, Kirstin Born Elizabeth, Gabe knows he's been a boy his whole life - and the whole world thinks he's crazy. Our Catalog |
 | Hero Moore, Perry Thom Creed keeps many secrets from his father, like having special powers, but the most painful secret of all is one Thom can barely face himself: he's gay. Our Catalog |
 | Ash Lo, Malinda Ash is about the connection between life and love, and solitude and death, where transformation can come from even the deepest grief. Our Catalog |
 | Boy Meets Boy Levithan, David This is a happy, meaningful romantic comedy about finding love, losing love, and doing what it takes to get love back in a crazy world. Our Catalog |
 | Guardian of the Dead Healey, Karen A young girl finds herself plunged into a haunting world of vengeful fairies, Maori mythology, romance, betrayal, and an epic battle for immortality. Our Catalog |
 | Love in the Time of Global Warming Block, Francesca Lia A Top Ten ALA Rainbow Project Book, here's a stunning reimagining of Homer's Odyssey set in post-apocalyptic Los Angeles. Our Catalog |
 | The Trials of Apollo: The Hidden Oracle Riordan, Rick After angering his father Zeus, the god Apollo is cast down from Olympus. Weak and disoriented, he lands in New York City as a regular teenage boy. Our Catalog |
 | From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun Woodson, Jacqueline Three-time Newbery Honor author Jacqualine Woodson explores race and sexuality through the eyes of a compelling narrator. Our Catalog |
 | Great Benincasa, Sara In this contemporary retelling of The Great Gatsby a teenage girl becomes entangled in the romance and drama of a Hamptons social circle. Our Catalog |
 | The Song of Achilles Miller, Madeline A reimagining of Homer's The Iliad, here's an action-packed adventure, epic love story, and marvelously conceived and executed page-turner. Our Catalog |
 | The Art of Being Normal Williamson, Lisa David Piper has always been an outsider, but only his two best friends know the real truth: David wants to be a girl. Our Catalog |
 | Juliet Takes a Breath Rivera, Gabby Juliet just came out and isn't sure if her mom will ever speak to her again. But she has a plan to help her figure out this whole "Puerto Rican lesbian" thing. Our Catalog |
 | Lizard Radio Schmatz, Pat A coming-of-age story rich in friendships and the shattering emotions of first love, this novel will resonate with teens emerging as adults in a sometimes hostile world. Our Catalog |
 | The Darkest Part of the Forest Black, Holly As the Faerie world turns upside down, Hazel has to become the knight she once pretended to be. Our Catalog |
 | Will Grayson, Will Grayson Green, John & Levithan, David Told in alternating voices from two YA superstars, this collaborative novel features a double helping of the heart and humor that have won them both legions of fans. Our Catalog |
 | Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda Albertalli, Becky Not-so-openly gay Simon prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Our Catalog |
 | Every Heart a Doorway McGuire, Seanan The story of Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children - a novella for fantasy readers. Our Catalog |
 | Willful Machines Floreen, Tim The closeted son of an ultra-conservative president must keep a budding romance secret from his father while protecting himself from a sentient computer program that's terrorizing the United States. Our Catalog |
 | None of the Above Gregorio, I. W. A groundbreaking story about a teenage girl who discovers she's intersex, and what happens when her secret is revealed to the entire school. Our Catalog |
 | The Raven Boys Stiefvater, Maggie For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die, and as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys love becomes a problem. Our Catalog |