YA LGBT Books discussion

Hi all,
One of my students in the Philippines wants to improve his reading in English and sent me this message.

"Hi ma'am, I just have a question about how to be good at English because ma'am, I'm having a lot of trouble reading English and spelling words. Because ma'am, if I ever finish grade 12, I would work abroad because I can't go to college because we don't have money to pay for school, I would just ask for advice on how to be good at English"

I want to find a book that he can relate to, that is fun to read, and also has fairly simple language (middle school level books probs). Specifically, a book with a trans boy or non-binary MC, with a girl love-interest, action packed. Think Cemetery Boys? Graphic novels would also be nice.

Please help me out! I'm going back to the Philippines in May (ish) and would love to bring him a bunch of books! Sorry it's so specific, but I know that seeing himself in a book MC would really motivate him to read it.

Thanks in advance <3

-The Dog Knight by Jeremy Whitley and Are Indigo
-Lakelore by A-M McLemore
-The Otherwoods by Justine Pucella Winans
-Sir Callie and the Champions of Heston by Esme Symes-Smith
-The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas
-The Wicked Bargain by Gabe Cole Nova

Trying to think of books that will hit as much of what you're looking for as possible:

The Fabulous Zed Watson! - non binary mc, some fantasy/action/mystery elements
The Backstagers, Vol. 1: Rebels Without Applause - graphic novel, some action, trans boy side character with a girl love interest (also has 3 middle grade books which were released after 3 volumes of comics)
Welcome to St. Hell: My Trans Teen Misadventure - graphic novel, trans boy with girl love interest, no action (please note this is rated 14+ due to underage drinking and mild nudity)

I'd recommend checking out other people's reviews so you can gauge a little bit better if they'd be suitable for your student. Good luck and I hope he really enjoys your picks!

I think most if not all of Lorimer's Real Love line is hi-lo books, which are designed to be high interest-low reading level. https://lorimer.ca/childrens-us/?s=re...

And Orca books has a lot of hi-lo titles among their LGBTQ books; just look for the blurbs that say things like, "In this high-interest accessible novel for teen readers . . . " https://www.orcabook.com/Books-By-The...

Moved to the Book Related Banter folder.