Welcome to another Top 5 Wednesday! Today’s topic is all about our favorite diverse characters. What is a diverse character? Any character who is of a different race than white, is LGBTQIA+, minority religion, has a mental or physical disability, etc. So here’s my five:

5. Lara Jean from To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

Lara Jean, though frustrating, was still just a teenage girl trying to keep her traditional family values in place and alive throughout the story while also dealing with a lot of things on her own. I love that there is mention of her Korean heritage throughout the duology and how it is represented.

4. Eleanor from Eleanor and Park

Why did I pick her? Because she’s a heavy set girl, aka she’s fat. How many fat girls do you see in YA? Not enough. So I had to pick her because not only does she have an extremely difficult home life, but she’s also a girl that can represent large girls, and I was so happy to read about a girl who is heavy set because, well, I am, too. Plus I just love her personality.

3. Shahrzad from The Wrath and the Dawn

Even though I have a really hard time pronouncing her name, I love how Shahrzad is written and how she represents a whole slew of people. She is also strong, stubborn, and independent, which I think is important to show girls.

2. Simon from Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda

Well, you know, he’s hilarious and I love him to bits, plus he’s gay, which is even better. I don’t know why that makes it better, but it does. I just love this book and I love Simon and I just love everything about it.

1 . Jubliee Chase from This Shattered World

A kickass black girl who is the captain of her section of the army? Yes please. She’s fierce, smart, strong, brave, and just an overall amazing character. I really loved her and I want more from her.

So there you have it! Five of my top favorite diverse characters. Who are some of yours? Let me know!