A new list highlights 16 queer young adult and middle grade books by Black authors scheduled for release in 2026. These titles span genres including thriller, fantasy, historical fiction, and contemporary romance, with some available for preorder now. The selection emphasizes diverse queer representations, from bisexual and sapphic stories to asexual and trans narratives.
Book Riot has compiled a list of 16 queer YA and middle grade books by Black authors set to publish in 2026, building on a previous roundup of adult titles. The article spotlights five standout entries that the author personally anticipates, covering a range of subgenres and identities within queer literature for young readers. These books are either available to read now or ready for preorder, encouraging early support for Black queer voices in YA publishing. Among the highlighted titles is 'I Don’t Wish You Well' by Jumata Emill, a queer guy YA thriller where 18-year-old Pryce Cummings returns to his hometown to investigate unsolved murders of football players from five years prior through a podcast. Another is 'The Great Disillusionment of Nick and Jay' by Ryan Douglass, a queer YA historical fiction retelling of 'The Great Gatsby' set at the segregated West Egg Academy in Harlem, where 17-year-old Nick navigates racism and a romance with Jay Gatsby Jr. 'Olivia Gray Will Not Fade Away' by Ciera Burch, an asexual/aromantic speculative middle grade novel releasing March 17, follows seventh-grader Olivia as she grapples with feeling invisible amid peers' focus on dating, eventually embracing her identity with help from a librarian and new friend. 'Charmed and Dangerous' by Shelly Page, a F/F YA fantasy out March 24, centers on recruit Monroe investigating a love spell while fake-dating Iris, the director's daughter, leading to real sparks. The list praises the cover of 'Death Card' by Jasmine Smith, a bisexual F/F YA fantasy debuting August 11, in which 18-year-old Mikaela has a tarot vision of client Joelle stabbing her, prompting a risky friendship turned romance. The remaining 11 titles include 'When I Was Death' by Alexis Henderson (bisexual YA fantasy, March 3), 'Time-Tripping Over You' by Brennon Lane (queer and trans YA time travel romance, March 10), 'Summer Official' by Rebekah Weatherspoon (F/F YA contemporary, April 14), 'Alex Wise vs. the Gods of the Apocalypse' by Terry J. Benton-Walker (queer guy middle grade fantasy, April 28), 'In Between Days' by Camryn Garrett (sapphic YA contemporary, May 12), 'Queerleaders' by Olivia A. Cole and Ashley Woodfolk (F/F YA contemporary, May 26), 'When We Almost Came Undone' by Erika Turner (sapphic YA contemporary, June 9), 'The Lovers, the Liars, and Me' by DeAndra Davis (bisexual YA contemporary, June 23), 'Doe' by Rebecca Barrow (sapphic YA horror, June 23), 'Hallie’s Rules for a Recovering Romantic' by Jessica Lewis (F/F YA contemporary, July 7), and 'Coming Home (Adapted for Young Adults)' by Brittney Griner and Michelle Burford (lesbian YA nonfiction, February 17). This collection underscores ongoing efforts to amplify queer stories by Black authors in youth literature for 2026.
