Sometimes it’s hard to talk about certain topics with kids, so that’s where books come in to help. Not all kids understand the word “transgender,” but it’s important to define it since there are about 700,000 people who identify as transgender in America.
Transgender students specifically may be struggling in schools because of bullying, discrimination and the fight for equal rights. Are you a boy? Are you a girl? Which bathroom do you use? Which sports team can you join? Educating children early on about what this means will help them better understand transgender individuals (of all ages).
The following books are about gender, identity, self-expression and transition. Whether you’re reading a book yourself, letting your child read on his or her own or reading with your child, grab a few of the following.
Lily and Dunkin
Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart
Lily is a transgender girl. Dunkin is a boy with bipolar disorder. The two meet and their lives are changed forever. Gephart’s book will be available May 3.
Recommended for ages 10+
Rethinking Normal
Rethinking Normal by Katie Rain Hill
This book is the author’s memoir about experiencing life through transition after realizing she was a girl born with a boy’s body.
Recommended for ages 14-17
Meet Polkadot
Meet Polkadot by Talcott Broadhead
Identity can be confusing, especially for Polkadot, a non-binary, trans kid. Polkadot’s transgender-liberation story is told from a feminist perspective.
Recommended for ages 4-18
Beyond Magenta
Beyond Magenta by Susan Kuklin
This book is filled with the author’s interviews and photographs of six transgender or gender-neutral young adults and their gender preferences.
Recommended for ages 14+
10,000 Dresses
10,000 Dresses by Marcus Ewert
When a boy dreams of dresses, his parents don’t understand. But he meets a new friend who does understand, and together, they make dresses.
Recommended for ages 5-9
Some Assembly Required
Some Assembly Required by Arin Andrews
This novel is the author’s memoir of being a teen undergoing gender reassignment.
Recommended for ages 14-17
My Princess Boy
My Princess Boy by Cheryl Kilodavis
“My Princess Boy” is a children’s book written from a mom’s perspective about how a boy can cross traditional gender lines and expectations.
Recommended for ages 4-8
The Art of Being Normal
The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson
Secrets don’t make friends. Or do they? Two boys. Two secrets. One friendship.
Recommended for young adults.
Wandering Son
Wandering Son by Shimura Takako
A friendship forms between a boy who wants to be a girl and a girl who wants to be a boy. This author is best known for her LGBTQ manga in Japan.
Recommended for ages 14-17
How Beautiful the Ordinary
How Beautiful the Ordinary edited by Michael Cart
This book is filled with 12 stories about identity.
Recommended for young adults.
When Kayla Was Kyle
When Kayla was Kyle by Amy Fabrikant
This book is about how Kyle finds his voice to tell the world he’s really Kayla.
Recommended for ages 4-8
Being Jazz
Being Jazz by Jazz Jennings
Jazz transitioned to life as a girl when she was 5. She discusses her journey in her book, which will be released June 7.
Recommended for ages 12-17
I Am Jazz
I Am Jazz by Jazz Jennings
Jennings is a spokesperson for transgender kids. Her true story is told through this picture book.
Recommended for ages 4-8
Refuse
Refuse by Elliott DeLine
This memoir, written in the third person, is about a 22-year-old female-to-male transsexual who lives in a conservative suburb.
Recommended for young adults
When Kathy Is Keith
When Kathy Is Keith by Wallace Wong
This children’s book is about how a girl identifies as a boy.
Recommended for ages 4-8
Gracefully Grayson
Gracefully Grayson by Ann Polonsky
Polonsky’s book is about what happens when who you are on the outside differs from who you are on the inside. It’s about identity, self-esteem and friendship.
Recommended for ages 10-14
Luna
Luna by Julie Anne Peters
By day, he’s Liam. By night, she’s Luna. Luna wants to reveal her true identity, but how will the world react?
Recommended for young adults
Goblinheart
Goblinheart by Brett Axel
Ready for a bedtime story? This fairy tale uses “fairy” and “goblin” in place of “female” and “male.”
Recommended for ages 4-7
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