Let's talk about sex...
They're going to read about it anyway, so you may as well get ahead of things with this brilliant list.
With the former Children's Laureate Malorie Blackman, and other teen authors such as Melvin Burgess, Philip Pullman and Sarra Manning talking about why it's important for teenage books to provide realistic depictions of sexual relationships, we bring together our list of some of the best books for young adults which talk frankly, but responsibly, about the realities of love and sex.
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Why We Broke Up
Author: Daniel Handler Illustrator: Maira Kalman
Interest level: 14+
Reading age: 13+
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Why We Broke Up
Author: Daniel Handler Illustrator: Maira Kalman
Interest level: 14+
Reading age: 13+
This beautifully presented and unusual young adult novel tells the story of Ed and Min's relationship, from their first meeting to…
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Love Hurts
Author: Various Editor: Malorie Blackman
Interest level: 13+
Reading age: 13+
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Love Hurts
Author: Various Editor: Malorie Blackman
Interest level: 13+
Reading age: 13+
This anthology depicts a very wide range of romantic relationships, and a diverse set of characters, showing love in all its forms…
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Sugar Rush
Author: Julie Burchill
Interest level: 14+
Reading age: 11+
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Sugar Rush
Author: Julie Burchill
Interest level: 14+
Reading age: 11+
Shortlisted for the 2005 Booktrust Teenage Prize, this is a controversial and daring look at the gritty reality of teenage experie…
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Life: An Exploded Diagram
Author: Mal Peet
Interest level: 14+
Reading age: 13+
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Life: An Exploded Diagram
Author: Mal Peet
Interest level: 14+
Reading age: 13+
In this intelligent young adult novel, Clem's coming-of-age story of first love and burgeoning sexuality is woven around a tense a…
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She Wore Red Trainers
Author: Na’ima B Robert
Interest level: 13+
Reading age: 11+
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She Wore Red Trainers
Author: Na’ima B Robert
Interest level: 13+
Reading age: 11+
An intriguing teenage romance, told from the perspectives of a Muslim boy and girl.
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Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging
Author: Louise Rennison
Interest level: 11-14
Reading age: 11+
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Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging
Author: Louise Rennison
Interest level: 11-14
Reading age: 11+
Welcome to the world of Georgia Nicolson - an angst-ridden teenage girl who keeps a diary to record the rollercoaster of emotions …
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The Girl Guide: 50 lessons in learning to love your chang...
Author: Marawa Ibrahim Illustrator: Sinem Erkas
Interest level: 10-14
Reading age: 10+
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The Girl Guide: 50 lessons in learning to love your chang...
Author: Marawa Ibrahim Illustrator: Sinem Erkas
Interest level: 10-14
Reading age: 10+
This is a book all tween girls should have. Like a chat with a friend with an excellent sense of humour, The Girl Guide is precise…
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Pretty Thing
Author: Jennifer Nadel
Interest level: 15+
Reading age: 9+
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Pretty Thing
Author: Jennifer Nadel
Interest level: 15+
Reading age: 9+
Nadel's first YA novel is set in 1976 (a playlist of music is appended!), but apart from the references to LPs, tapes and kaftans …
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Swim the Fly
Author: Don Calame
Interest level: 13+
Reading age: 13+
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Swim the Fly
Author: Don Calame
Interest level: 13+
Reading age: 13+
Matt, Coop and Sean have been friends forever. Each summer, they set themselves a goal, and this year tops the lot - they mu…
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This Book is Gay
Author: Juno Dawson Illustrator: Spike Gerrell
Interest level: 13+
Reading age: 13+
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This Book is Gay
Author: Juno Dawson Illustrator: Spike Gerrell
Interest level: 13+
Reading age: 13+
A fantastic book for classrooms and school libraries, This Book is Gay is a must-read for teachers and parents, as well as teens t…
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Lobsters
Author: Tom Ellen and Lucy Ivison
Interest level: 14+
Reading age: 14+
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Lobsters
Author: Tom Ellen and Lucy Ivison
Interest level: 14+
Reading age: 14+
The first novel from friends and collaborators Tom Ellen and Lucy Ivison, Lobsters is a frank and very funny young adult romance.
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The Manifesto on How to Be Interesting
Author: Holly Bourne
Interest level: 15+
Reading age: 14+
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The Manifesto on How to Be Interesting
Author: Holly Bourne
Interest level: 15+
Reading age: 14+
Holly Bourne has written an intriguing and well-written YA novel that keeps you turning the pages and is a meaner Mean Girls of so…
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Boys Don't Cry
Author: Malorie Blackman
Interest level: 14+
Reading age: 11+
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Boys Don't Cry
Author: Malorie Blackman
Interest level: 14+
Reading age: 11+
Dante is waiting for the postman. It's 'A' level results day and he has high hopes, but a knock on the door brings an old girlfrie…
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