Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 03/31/2021 - 10:33
Transgender Day of Visibility: Children's Books
List curated by Kavita
In honor of Transgender Day of Visibility (3/31), we are sharing some of our favorite children's books by trans authors, featuring trans characters, or exploring gender. We hope you'll read, celebrate, and support these books all year long.
Picture books
When Aidan Becomes a Brother by Kyle Lukoff
Aidan, a transgender boy, experiences complicated emotions as he and his parents prepare for the arrival of a new baby.
From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea by Kai Cheng Thom
A young child magically transforms into different animal guises as their mother reassures them of her love, but when they get to school, their classmates are not as accepting of the child's fluid identity.
It Feels Good to be Yourself: a Book about Gender Identity by Theresa Thorn and illustrated by Noah Grigni
Provides a sensitive vocabulary for initiating discussions and exploration of gender identity.
Middle Grade Fiction
George by Alex Gino
Knowing herself to be a girl despite her outwardly male appearance, George is denied a female role in the class play before teaming up with a friend to reveal her true self.
Ana on the Edge by A.J. Sass
Twelve-year-old figure skater Ana strives to win competitions while learning about gender identity--Ana's own and that of a new friend--and how to navigate the best path forward.
The Moon Within by Aida Salazar
Eleven-year-old (nearly twelve) Celi Rivera, who is a mix of Black-Puerto Rican-Indigenous Mexican is secretive about her approaching period, and the changes that are happening to her body; she is horrified that her mother wants to hold a traditional public moon ceremony to celebrate the occasion; she must choose loyalty to her life-long best friend who is contemplating an even more profound change of life or the boy she likes. ****features a character that is genderfluid
Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart
Lily Jo McGrother, born Timothy McGrother, is a girl. But being a girl is not so easy when you look like a boy especially when you're in the eighth-grade. Norbert Dorfman, nicknamed Dunkin Dorfman, is bipolar and has just moved from the New Jersey townhe's called home for the past thirteen years. This would be hard enough, but the fact that he is also hiding from a painful secret makes it even worse. One summer morning, Lily Jo McGrother meets Dunkin Dorfman, and their lives forever change.
Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky
Grayson Sender has been holding onto a secret for what seems like forever: "he" is a girl on the inside, stuck in the wrong gender's body. The weight of this secret is crushing, but sharing it would mean facing ridicule, scorn, rejection, or worse. Despite the risks, Grayson's true self itches to break free. Will new strength from an unexpected friendship and a caring teacher's wisdom be enough to help Grayson step into the spotlight she was born to inhabit?
Birdie and Me by J.M.M. Nuanez
Ever since their free-spirited mama died ten months ago, twelve-year-old Jack and her gender creative nine-year-old brother, Birdie, have been living with their fun-loving Uncle Carl, but now their conservative Uncle Patrick insists on being their guardian which forces all four of them to confront grief, prejudice, and loss, all while exploring what 'home' really means.
Non Fiction
I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel & Jazz Jennings
The story of a transgender child based on the real-life experience of Jazz Jennings, who has become a spokesperson for transkids everywhere.
Sylvia and Marsha Start a Revolution!: the Story of the Trans Women of Color who Made LGBTQ+ History by Joy Michael Ellison and Teshika Silver
Sylvia and Marsha are closer than sisters. They are kind and brave and not afraid to speak their truth, even when it makes other people angry. This illustrated book introduces children to the story of Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson, the two transgender women of colour who helped kickstart the Stonewall Riots and dedicated their lives to fighting for LGBTQ+ equality. It introduces children to issues surrounding gender identity and diversity, accompanied by a reading guide and teaching materials to further the conversation.
Visit the library's online catalog to request a book for HPL to Go (curbside pick-up), or check out our online resources to learn more about ebooks or audiobooks!
