Sometimes in fiction, things can get really repetitive. It’s the same man and woman, almost always white, falling in love and living happily ever after. To me, it is really important that books do a good job representing different people with different backgrounds. Here are some stories that are not only riveting, but feature a diverse cast of characters.
1. The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli
Author of the acclaimed Simon vs. the Homosapien’s Agenda, Becky Albertalli is amazing at creating diverse, rounded characters. The main character of the story, Molly, is a plus sized girl with two moms who has had 26 crushes and no boyfriend. Her sister is gay, one of her moms is black, and she has a mixed race brother. Her family is and several other families in the story are Jewish, and there are others of varying identities and expressions that make up Molly’s friends and families. The story is a wonderful take on a love story that is filled with topics of social equality, body shaming, and family dynamics that sports a cast of colorful and vibrant characters.
3. Heretics Anonymous by Katie Henry
Michael, an atheist, has just enrolled in a Catholic high school where he feels like he doesn’t belong. He soon discovers an underground society called “Heretics Anonymous” where students of different faiths come together and discuss the issues they face within the school. A book about interfaith tolerance has never been so witty. 3. Rick Riordan’s Heroes of Olympus series
For those who liked the Percy Jackson series, you are sure in for a treat with its spinoff. The cast of characters includes many favorites from the original exploring their identities, with several new characters on all parts of the gender and sexuality spectrums. Riordan was able to expand his world in a way that includes people of all races and identities, something not all popular books can say they manage.
These are only three of the thousands of diverse books that have been coming out in the past few years. Read on!