An all-time favourite. Contemporary, sensual; the confusion and emotions faced by this 15 year old in Hawaii just leap off the page. A must-read.

A young Kurdish teen realises he is gay, and has to deal with falling in love with his best friend, as well as being raped by his older brother. Totally enthralling and erotic. Read it.

Moving Irish novel dealing intelligently with the torments of gay youth from the age of 6 through to late teens.

Highly emotive work by a Dutch author about a 16 year old communicating with his dead younger brother, and in doing so coming to terms with sexuality and death.

Joe Babcock's second - and very different - novel, pleasingly unafraid to acknowledge the burgeoning sexuality of a contemporary 11 year old boy.

A unique voice. Compelling perspective of a 14 year old deaf and dumb punk. Absorbing and brilliant.

Incredibly moving work. Set in the American corn belt, the intense relationship between two 12 year olds will have you sobbing your cynical heart out.

Donaghe again, portraying conflict in New Mexico in the 1960s, as two teens come out to themselves and their small farming community. Heart-warming read.

Set in the 1980s, this is a coming of age novel with an existential thread. Fresh, believable characters.

A highly intelligent and captivating work about the awkwardness and self-discovery of childhood amidst the pressures of family life.

Classic work by Edmund White about a boy growing up in 1950s America. Narrator is not particularly likeable, but that makes for a more authentic read.

An 'it's okay to be gay' Alex Sanchez novel for young adults about the fear of growing up gay in high school. The whole 'Rainbow' trilogy is worth reading.

Not strictly a 'troubled' teen, but this refreshing novel about a sixth form pupil in a London school is the funniest book you'll read in a long time.