Noughts and Crosses is set in a world where white people (noughts) are second class citizens compared to black people (crosses). Aside from tackling issues of racism head on, this book is powerful, moving, and will definitely leave you crying on the floor. I loved it.
I'm putting Cinder on this list just because of how diverse the characters are. Cinder herself faces prejudice for being part cyborg, but the entire cast of characters are from all over the world. Aside from being an amazing series in general, I love that Meyer writes about more than just white people.
The protagonist in Afterworlds, Darcy Patel, has Indian heritage and is also a lesbian. Although it isn't the main focus of the book, Afterworlds explores her sexuality as well as her heritage and I love that Westerfeld chose to write about a protagonist that isn't normally featured in YA.
As well as having LGBTQ+ characters and exploring those themes, the protagonist in The Perks of Being a Wallflower explores his own problems regarding mental heath. It seems like everybody has already read this, but I think it's really important as well as being a good read.
I found this book itself to be entirely average, but perhaps my favourite part about it was that Lara Jean was half Korean, and that her race is addressed in this book. Again, it's so important to have protagonists who aren't Caucasian.
Lola gets a mention in this list not just because I love the book, but because she has two dads. The family dynamic is really prominent in this book and I love Lola's family, and how Stephanie Perkins portrays them.
Eleanor & Park is diverse because one of the protagonists, Park, is mixed race. His ethnicity is explored in the book and whilst this novel is primarily a romance it's still a key part of the book. I know it isn't diversity per se but I do like that Eleanor is described as being fat, making her as well different from the conventional YA heroine.
I think that Cassandra Clare's Shadowhunter books deserve a mention because of the diverse cast. There are LGBTQ+ characters, mixed race characters, characters from other religions etc. These books are also really fun, and I'd recommend them if you haven't read them already (which I highly doubt, considering it feels like everybody and their cat has read at least once Cassandra Clare book.)
I read The Bell Jar only recently and I' putting it on this list because it deals with depression and mental health. It's also semi autobiographical which makes its message hit home even more. I feel like this book is a very important one and I'd recommend it if you want to read a book that explores depression.
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