Looking for an eclectic collection of YA books about diversity and multiculturalism? As an award-winning author and longtime blogger about issue-driven YA fiction, I’ve spent over a decade analyzing and recommending the most emotionally honest stories about difficult topics for teens, such as social justice, physical challenges, mental health, identity, and immigration.
You’ll find detailed reviews of more than fifteen great novels in the roundup below. These inclusive novels hold up mirrors for young readers who might not often see themselves in books or who don’t often encounter students different from themselves, such as students of different races and life experiences.
Property of Nobody by Khristina Chess
diversity themes
Walking in Others' Shoes
What it’s about
An unaccompanied teen boy from Honduras flees murdering coyotes, only to become ensnared by human traffickers.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“No one is coming for you. No one is missing you. And no one will mourn you if you’re killed.” ― Khristina Chess, quote from Property of Nobody
Hands down, this is the best YA novel about diversity and multiculturalism that you’ll read this year!
In a genre where male voices are rare, young Teódulo stands out—a gripping, unforgettable protagonist trapped in the insidious web of debt bondage after the murder of his father. His descent is slow, suffocating, inevitable. I worried for him. I clung to every choice he made, knowing escape might never come.
This novel doesn’t just tell a story; it challenges readers to look at the dark underbelly of immigration, human trafficking, organized crime, and the vulnerable children who are swallowed by it.
It’s haunting. It’s brutal. It’s harrowing.
With its riveting storytelling and powerful themes, Property of Nobody has sparked conversations across book clubs and reader communities. This is more than fiction; it’s a window into the lives of children we’re too afraid to see.
If you’re searching for a YA novel about diversity and multiculturalism, Property of Nobody is an absolute must-read. I promise that young boy and his story will move you and stay with you long after the last page.
Freedom is not free.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
diversity themes
Poverty & resilience
What it’s about
A hypnotic coming-of-age mystery about an abandoned child and a murdered boy.
Why I Love It - Book Review
This novel is beautiful, thrilling, sad, surprising, and engrossing. Kya Clark is a resilient child who is abandoned by her mother at six. Her alcoholic father is barely a parent, and he soon leaves her as well. Somehow, she finds a way to survive on her own, even thrive, despite an aching loneliness.
But an impoverished and uneducated young beauty who lives in solitude in the woods is destined for danger. And heartbreak.
The mystery surrounding the death of Chase Andrews is the inciting incident of the novel, and it's soon clear that he was not such a swell guy. Foul play is suspected. Is Kya a murder? Or someone else?
There's plenty to love here, and the pages definitely turned quickly for me. Kya’s character and voice is compelling.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
diversity themes
Social justice & identity
What it’s about
A young girl witnesses the police shooting of her friend, and she must find the courage to speak out.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“What’s the point of having a voice if you’re gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn’t be?” ― Angie Thomas, quote from The Hate U Give
I saw this book everywhere and picked it up, wondering what all the fuss is about. Wow. I couldn't put it down. Starr is an amazing character in a perfectly-crafted situation that screams with tension, suspense, and emotion. Her emotions are raw and authentic. You can feel her little-girl timidity in the grand jury testimony and her grief and rage in the scene with Hailey. Her world is vivid and real. The pain of her dual life and the conflict it causes her is palatable. I loved this book. I love this girl. I want to see her again, doing more, making a difference. She's made me believe in her.
The Hate You Give should be at the top of your TBR list of award-winning YA books about diversity and multiculturalism. In fact, after reading this one, I wanted to read everything Angie Thomas has written and also added her to my list of Best YA Authors to Binge on Kindle Unlimited because she’s such an amazing diverse author!
North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley
diversity themes
Physical challenges (disfigurement)
What it’s about
Terra Cooper doesn’t have a body image problem; the problem is the birthmark on her cheek the size of Texas.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“Flawed, we're truly interesting, truly memorable, and yes, truly beautiful.” ― Justina Chen, quote from North of Beautiful
For me, this novel was a slow burn because of the complexity of the family relationships and the distance Terra had to travel to find her way. It’s not an easy road for her. Mid-way, a light begins to shine, and through a geography change to China and a series of maps and geocaching experiences, Terra begins a journey. There is a romantic interest. In the end she discovers acceptance, self-healing, and the real meaning of beauty.
This lovely YA book about disfigurement as a type of diversity shows that sometimes a flaw isn’t a flaw after all.
We Are Not From Here by Jenny Torres Sanchez
diversity themes
Walking in Others' Shoes
What it’s about
After violence and murder at a family party, three teenagers flee for their lives and make a perilous trip across a desert to the United States.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“We are small people, with small names, meant to live small lives. That’s all we’re allowed to live.” ― Jenny Torres Sanchez, quote from We Are Not From Here
We Are Not From Here is a compelling book with a diverse cast of characters and themes. Through the lens of fiction, we see a glimpse of some of the difficulties migrants from south America face on their journey to the U.S. Pulga, Pequena, and Chico are three teenagers fleeing violence in their home country. They believe they are prepared for what awaits them, but they are not.
The first third of the book has a slow pace. The author lingers on both character development and circumstances that forced the teenagers to leave home. Once they’re on the road, though, the narrative is gripping and realistic. I burned through the pages quickly, and several events generated emotional tears. These characters are kids. They are forced to grow up too soon. The violence in this novel didn’t surprise me, but the kindness did. Many people helped them along the way. Some turned their backs, but more offered food, shelter, and human decency. I felt like even in the middle of suffering, goodness is within reach.
If you’re looking for award-winning YA books about diversity and multiculturalism, you won’t want to miss this popular novel.
Against the Pack by Khristina Chess
diversity themes
Poverty & resilience
What it’s about
After a brutal dog attack leaves them stranded in a remote ravine in rural Appalachia, a teenage girl must claw her way toward rescue to save her wounded mother before time runs out.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“And once you decided you were going in the wrong direction, how did you find your way back? What happened when you couldn’t go back?” ― Khristina Chess, quote from Against the Pack
What if survival meant leaving the one person you love the most behind?
Ignore the cover. Trust the story. Against the Pack is a pulse-pounding, emotionally charged YA novel that dives into deep themes of love, culture, and resilience.
It starts with a bang. While walking on a rural road, Melender and her mom are attacked by a pack of dogs—forced over a near-vertical hillside into a ravine. They’re trapped. Wounded. Stranded on a narrow ledge with no food, no water, no shelter. No phone. No way out.
No one knows where they are.
No one even knows they’re missing.
The only thing Melender has is her will to survive.
She doesn’t want to abandon her critically injured mom, but if she doesn’t find help soon, neither of them will make it.
Melender is gritty, determined, and unforgettable. What makes Against the Pack so special is that her fight isn’t just physical—it’s psychological and deeply personal. As the hours stretch into days, the novel doesn’t just test her endurance but also unravels complicated truths about her relationship with her mother.
On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
diversity themes
Race & social justice
What it’s about
A teenage girl who aspires to be a rapper must deal with the challenges of family and community expectations.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“That’s when I learned that when people die, they sometimes take the living with them.” ― Angie Thomas, quote from On the Come Up
In On the Come Up, we meet Bri, a complex character facing multiple conflicts in her pursuit of her goal to become a hip-hop star. She wants to save her family, who's struggling for the basics like rent, food, and shoes that aren't falling apart. She wants to make a name for herself that isn't in the shadow of her late, great father. And she wants to do things her own way, with her own voice. She's talented, bold, ambitious, and still very innocent as the adults around her try to manipulate her for their own purposes. Even close friends try to use her experience to push forward their own agendas at school. Through all of this, Bri develops the heart and wisdom she needs to truly become a star.
I loved this book. While reading, I couldn't help comparing it with Angie Thomas’ award-winning novel THUG, but these novels are completely different stories and characters. I love each novel for different reasons. Angie Thomas is a brilliant author who understands the craft of great storytelling. It's a joy to follow her characters on their journeys.
Check it out. On the Come Up also makes the list of the best YA books about inclusivity and diversity that you should read next.
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
diversity themes
Identity & self-discovery
What it’s about
A powerful story about a mother-daughter relationship in which the Afro-Latina heroine uses poetry to find her way.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“And isn't that what a poem is? A lantern glowing in the dark.” ― Elizabeth Acevedo, quote from The Poet X
What a surprising and lyrical story!
I wasn’t sure I’d like this book, which is told entirely in verse, but I couldn’t put it down. Xiaomara is a young girl whose traditional Catholic mother prohibits her from doing anything. Xiomara is a good and dutiful daughter. But she wants to participate in the poetry group.
The mother-daughter relationship was well-developed, and there was a powerful moment when the mother did something truly awful. Moments like those between mothers and daughters are the ones that can define the relationship forever. I liked the choices Xiaomara made in response to that. In fact, all of the primary and secondary characters played important roles in her journey. I loved her father, the teacher, the priest; it was refreshing to see so many supportive adults in a young person’s life in a YA novel.
This award-winning YA book about diversity and multiculturalism written in a clever format deserves all the accolades, hype, and great reviews it has received. Check it out!
Every Last Word by Tamara Ireland
diversity themes
Mental health (OCD & anxiety)
What it’s about
A compelling novel about an anxious girl with OCD who finds her tribe.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“Everyone's got something. Some people are just better actors than others.” ― Tamara Ireland Stone, quote from Every Last Word
I loved everything about this book. Sam is a flawed character with a story to share. Although on the surface she looks like a typical teenager with the normal set of diverse friends and interests, she is something else. She has a secret, OCD, which she hides from everyone.
Watching her new friendships and romantic relationship with AJ develop was compelling, and I was pleasantly surprised by some of the plot twists along the way. The poetry is awesome! Everything about Sam's world felt very vivid and rich--Poet's Corner, the swimming pool, Sue's office... The Odometer! There is so much depth to this novel. What a satisfying read all around.
Don’t miss this moving and beautiful YA book about mental illness.
Bordereless by Jennifer De Leon
diversity themes
Immigration & multiculturalism
What it’s about
Gang violence forces a 17-year-old Guatemalan fashion design student and her mother to flee their home and migrate to the United States.
Why I Love It - Book Review
Maya lives with her mom in Guatemala and dreams of becoming a fashion designer. She has a real shot, too. Her creations are inventive, and she's going to be in this year's show. I liked the descriptions of her dresses and her approaches to solving design problems. These elements really made her character shine.
On the one hand, Maya seems like a well-grounded, mature teen with "a good head on her shoulders" about her future. On the other hand, she says and does the stupidest things. This makes here relatable as a teenager, but many of the cases felt forced and overblown. I also didn't like the tic where Every. Word. Is. A. Separate. Sentence. Gah! And the exclamation marks! Ugh! :-)
Most of the plot points are realistic and true, especially as events escalated. I won't give spoilers about the ending except to say that it was good.
Fans of YA books about diversity and multiculturalism and the impact of illegal immigration on young adults will enjoy this one.
The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
diversity themes
Immigration & multiculturalism
What it’s about
A boy and a girl fall in love in a single day—the day when the girl is being deported with her family.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“The trouble with getting your hopes too far up is: it's a long way down.” ― Nicola Yoon, quote from The Sun Is Also a Star
I loved Nicola Yoon’s Everything Everything, so when The Sun Is Also A Star released, I couldn’t wait to read it. This novel is a star-crossed love story between two teens of different backgrounds: Daniel Jae Ho Bae (a middle-class US citizen of South Korean descent) and Natasha Kingsley (a Jamaican girl who is being deported at the end of the day).
The timeline of the novel is 12 hours, and in that time, the characters fall in love. With every page, I kept hoping that something would change and something would stop the inevitable from happening. Because it wasn’t fair. Daniel and Natasha just found each other.
You won’t want to miss this heartbreaking, bestselling, and award-winning YA book about diversity and multiculturalism.It’s also a movie.
Girl, Stolen by April Henry
diversity themes
Physical challenges (blindness)
What it’s about
A blind girl is accidentally kidnapped by a teen boy, putting both of them in danger.
Why I Love It - Book Review
"Sometimes people did this, closed their eyes for a few seconds and imagined it gave them insights into what it was like to be her. Only, at the end, they could still open their eyes and see." ― April Henry, quote from Girl, Stolen
This slender YA novel is a fast and engaging read!
The story is about sixteen-year-old Cheyenne Wilder, daughter of a famous Nike CEO, who is accidentally kidnapped by a boy named Griffen. He's about her age, maybe older, and he soon regrets his actions because his abusive father decides to hold her for ransom. Cheyenne is in danger. She has pneumonia; she's blind; bad men at Griffen's house are interested in assaulting her; and she expects to be killed once money has exchanged hands.
The prose is simple and effective. The viewpoint alternates between Cheyenne and Griffen, and we learn backstories of both protagonists through the story. I especially liked learning so much about what a blind person might experience in such a situation. Cheyenne was clever and resilient.
I haven't read a book straight through and stayed up to finish in a long time. Well done! If you’re looking for amazing YA books about disabilities, illnesses, and disorders, you don’t want to miss this YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults and YALSA Quick Pick winner.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
diversity themes
Race & social justice
What it’s about
A funny and inspiring coming-of-age story about a courageous boy who dares to leave the reservation, his school, and his best friend to seek a different life.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“We all have to find our own ways to say good-bye.” ― Sherman Alexie, quote from The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Junior Spirit is a courageous boy who dares to leave the reservation, his school, and his best friend to seek a different life. His story is funny, heartbreaking, inspiring, and brave. I loved his quirky voice, his cartoons, and I cheered so hard for him in his basketball game.
This novel highlights the contrast between extreme poverty and wealth, as well as racial differences. These themes are handled with humor and sensitivity.
This novel truly shines in a list of YA books with diverse authors and characters.
Trafficked by Kim Purcell
diversity themes
Immigration & multiculturalism
What it’s about
A young girl from Moldova is tricked into coming to the U.S. for a job, only to find herself in debt bondage to terrible people who imprison her in their home.
Why I Love It - Book Review
Although Trafficked did not win any big awards, it is a little-known but powerful YA book about diversity and multiculturalism about characters not often seen in fiction.
Trafficked an absorbing YA novel that shows how an orphaned teenager from Moldova easily becomes a victim in human trafficking. Hannah was easily duped into leaving her home for the promise of a better life in the United States, a salary, and a chance to study English. Instead, she became a slave, forced into being an unpaid nanny and a maid, fighting off sexual advances of the husband of the house and his male associates, and being beaten and verbally abused by the wife. She is young, slow to realize her situation, and not great with English.
The plotting of Trafficked was thrilling. There were plenty of twists to keep me invested. For example, there is a backstory about how Hannah was "chosen" by this family that is revealed little by little.
I was rooting for Hannah to find a way out and take charge of her life. I worried about her because I knew the odds were not in her favor.
I’ve included Hannah’s heartbreaking and thought-provoking story in this YA books about diversity and multiculturalism list because you won’t want to miss Hannah’s story. She begins the novel in a state of naïve innocence in her home country in eastern Europe, and by the end, she has become mature and wise to the adult world. It’s a realistic and sad tragedy.
All the Crooked Saints by Maggie Stiefvater
diversity themes
Latinx & cultural representation
What it’s about
A family in Bicho Raro, Colorado, possess magical abilities and perform miracles to help pilgrims.
Why I Love It - Book Review
In this multicultural and multi-generational YA book about a Mexican American family of “saints,” pilgrims from everywhere arrive at thier ranch in search of miracles.
I almost abandoned this book. It has a really long, slow, meandering warm up that seems to be going nowhere, and then around page 170, I was suddenly delighted me with this passage:
"It may seem like madness for a young woman to chase a runaway horse, as a galloping horse travels at twenty-five miles an hour and a galloping woman only travels at fifteen. But runaway horses rarely have a purpose, and young women chasing them often do." ― Maggie Stiefvater, quote from All the Crooked Saints
The scene that followed was full of language that made me smile and action that finally drew me into the story. More lovely moments followed. The remainder of the book was magical, mysterious, and ultimately transformative for the characters. I wish the pacing for the first half had been different.
Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson
Diversity themes
Racial & socioeconomic inequalities
What it’s about
A dizzying novel about a teen girl who may or may not be responsible for the death of a child.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“That joke of a bookshelf has the same crap they had in baby jail I’ve inhaled three times over and I’d kill for something - anything - new to read. But I’d never say that out loud. I’m a killer after all; they’d probably think I’d really do it. Figures of speech are luxuries convicted murderers are not allowed to have.“ ― Tiffany D. Jackson, quote from Allegedly
Mary lives in a group home following her incarceration in baby jail for killing an infant. Allegedly. Life in the group home is hard for Mary, who is smart and trying to take her SATs and apply to college. She works at a nursing home, which is where she met Ted.
Now Mary is pregnant, and they’re going to take her baby away. So after all this time, she decides to tell the truth about what happened that night when Alyssa died.
Allegedly is a dark mystery that keeps the pages turning, and Mary is a compelling character. I really wanted her to succeed because so many things seemed to be against her. The other girls (and even the so-called responsible adults) are truly awful to her, and at least one of them turns out to be a psychopath. Fun times!
This YA novel about group homes and teen pregnancy has some chilling moments as the events unfold. I highly recommend!
You’ve Reached Sam by Dustin Thao
Diversity themes
Ethnic & cultural diversity
What it’s about
After the sudden death of her boyfriend Sam, a grieving teenager named Julie Nguyen tries to reconnect with him through otherworldly experiences.
Why I Love It - Book Review
This book has a great premise: what if you had a second chance at saying goodbye?
However for a lot of reasons, the main character didn't seem all that likeable to me, so I wasn't able to connect with her grief at a gut level. The flashbacks to the romance between Julie and Sam didn't help me to fall in love with this couple and their relationship, and instead, I found myself skimming over passages to finish. There were some engaging plot points to drive the narrative forward, but they often lost momentum. I'm glad I pushed to the ending because it was a good resolution.
The cover on this novel is fabulous, though, isn't it? It's the reason I picked up the book.
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika Sanchez
Diversity themes
Race & ethnicity
What it’s about
After the sudden death of her sister, a teenage girl expresses her grief through rebellion.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“She has compared me to my sister every single day of my life, so why should I expect that to change now that she’s dead?” ― Erika L. Sanchez, quote from I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter
I loved the cover on this novel, and with so many stars and enthusiastic reviews, I figured I would love this story. There is an interesting mystery about what happened to Julia’s older sister Olga, who died in front of a truck. There is an interesting view into Mexican culture.
But.
The mother-daughter relationship (which is the title of the book) is not the real focus of the story. The mother is portrayed as traditional and strict, but she’s also mostly a shadow and underdeveloped character. Julia, the daughter, is a hard character to like because she has so many hard edges, and I never reached a point of real empathy or connection with her—even though she is a grieving person. Instead, I felt like the book was a checklist of YA book “issues” without any depth or focus on any of them: immigration, depression, first-time sex, death of a sibling, food, Mexican culture, drug usage, attempted suicide, rape… The list could continue.
You will probably feel differently. Literally thousands of readers on Goodreads loved this book.
Still, this YA book about diversity and multiculturalism definitely belongs on the must-read list for books in this category. It was a finalist for the National Book Award, after all.
Other YA Books about Diversity and Multiculturalism
If you are looking for other YA books about diversity and multiculturalism (best-selling, award-winning, or otherwise), check out the YA Multicultural Books and YA Diversity Books lists on Goodreads. You might also be interested in my post, Other Good Reads, which has a comprehensive list of reviews of YA books.
Author Bio
Khristina Chess is an award-winning author of a dozen young adult novels, including The Cutting Edge of Friendship, The Delinquent Hero, and Junior Missing. Hollow Beauty, her book about eating disorders, was named a finalist in the Next Generation India Book Awards. She tackles tough teen topics and writes binge-worthy books across multiple genres, including contemporary, thriller, mystery, and adventure.
In a recent interview from her alma mater, she described how her experience in the creative writing program prepared her for success.
