{"id":41997,"date":"2017-03-28T15:38:09","date_gmt":"2017-03-28T19:38:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/apa.si.edu\/bookdragon\/?p=41997"},"modified":"2019-06-09T11:22:22","modified_gmt":"2019-06-09T15:22:22","slug":"trans-gender-nonconforming-reading-list-ages-booklist-reader","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/apa.si.edu\/bookdragon\/trans-gender-nonconforming-reading-list-ages-booklist-reader\/","title":{"rendered":"A Trans* and Gender Nonconforming Reading List for All Ages [in The Booklist Reader]"},"content":{"rendered":"

News about the transgender community \u2013 including\u00a0b<\/a>anned books<\/a>, bathroom laws<\/a>, hockey<\/a>, wrestlers<\/a>, models<\/a>, parades<\/a>, Jackie and Juliet Evancho<\/a>, and, most tragically, a horrifying murder<\/a>\u00a0caught on cellphone video \u2013 have all made recent headlines. Books can be helpful, entertaining, illuminating portals into the trans*\/gender nonconforming (GNC) experience.<\/p>\n

The list below highlights books by and about the trans*\/GNC community for all ages. For non-trans readers with family members, friends, colleagues who are trans*\/GNC \u2013 actually, for all readers with open minds and hearts \u2013 books can lead the way towards becoming well-informed allies.<\/p>\n

Picture Books<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"I Am Jazz<\/strong> by Jessica Herthel & Jazz Jennings, illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas<\/p>\n

The only picture book memoir thus far tells the story of young Jazz Jennings and her realization at\u00a0age two that her girl\u2019s brain didn\u2019t fit her boy\u2019s body. Groundbreaking for being the first, yet bookshelves have plenty of room for both addition and improvement.<\/p>\n

\"\"Jacob’s New Dress<\/strong> by Sarah and Ian Hoffman, illustrated by Chris Case<\/p>\n

Jacob’s love of wearing dresses doesn’t exactly endear him to all the other kids in his class. But his imagination and determination eventually win over his parents, his teacher, and his classmates, too.<\/p>\n

 
\n\"\"Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress<\/a><\/strong> by Christine Baldacchino, illustrated by Isabelle Malenfant<\/p>\n

A little boy shows his class the power of the little orange dress. With gentle humor, author Baldacchino debunks all the shoulds and shouldn\u2019ts of children\u2019s behavior based merely on their x-chromosomes.<\/p>\n

\"\"Red: A Crayon’s Story<\/strong> by Michael Hall<\/p>\n

A blue crayon wrapped in a red label turns out to be the perfect hero in an inspiring story about how to be your own true self.<\/p>\n

 
\n\u00a0
\n\"\"Who Are You? The Kid’s Guide to Gender Identity<\/strong> by Brook Pessin-Whedbee, illustrated by Naomi Bardoff<\/p>\n

Inspired by the work of Gender Spectrum<\/a>, a non-profit group dedicated to creating gender sensitive and inclusive environments for children and teens, this colorful book explains bodies, how we express ourselves, and identities in easy-to-understand language for all ages. Also includes information and resources for adults and allies.<\/p>\n

Middle Grade<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"Being Jazz: My Life as a (Transgender) Teen<\/a><\/strong> by Jazz Jennings<\/p>\n

The middle-grade companion to the reality television star’s picture book, I Am Jazz<\/em> (see above).<\/p>\n

 
\n 
\n\"\"Lily and Dunkin<\/a><\/strong> by Donna Gephart<\/p>\n

For Lily (born Timothy) and Dunkin (who’s really Norbert), finding each other makes all the difference in surviving\u2014and thriving\u2014through eighth grade.<\/p>\n

 
\n 
\n\"\"Wandering Son series<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0by Shimura Takako, translated by Matt Thorn<\/p>\n

A groundbreaking graphic series from Japan about two middle-school friends coming of age: Nitori, who wishes he could be a girl, and Takatsuki, who wishes she could be a boy. Creator Shimura treats both protagonists\u2019 journeys of self-discovery with gentle honesty; her characters are wide-eyed and adorable, uncertain and searching.<\/p>\n

Young Adult<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"The Art of Being Normal<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0by Lisa Williamson<\/p>\n

David wants to be a girl, Leo wants to be unnoticed, and an unlikely friendship is born in this illuminating and appealing British import.<\/p>\n

 
\n 
\n\"\"Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out<\/strong> written and photographed by Susan Kuklin<\/p>\n

Six transgender and gender nonconforming teens speak out\u2014candidly, vulnerably, openly\u2014about their diverse experiences. Kulkin’s photographs are especially revealing.<\/p>\n

 
\n\"\"If I Was Your Girl<\/a><\/strong> by Meredith Russo<\/a><\/p>\n

New girl Amanda, born Andrew 19 years ago, escapes the abuse and violence of her home town to start anew with her father, who she hasn’t seen in six years. New school, new friends, maybe even new love. . . if only her secret stays safe.<\/p>\n

 
\n\"\"None of the Above<\/a><\/strong> by I.W. Gregorio<\/p>\n

This first-time author tackles a topic rarely seen in books for younger readers: a high school senior discovers secrets about her own body that she’s never even considered.<\/p>\n

 
\n 
\n\"\"Parrotfish<\/a><\/strong> by Ellen Wittlinger<\/p>\n

Angela’s announcement, as a high school junior, about his transition to Grady divides his family and friends. Author Wittlinger creates Grady’s world with deft accuracy, filled with contemporary details and all-too-real situations.<\/p>\n

 
\n\"\"Symptoms of Being Human<\/a><\/strong> by Jeff Garvin<\/p>\n

\u201cThe first thing you\u2019re going to want to know about me is: Am I a boy, or am I a girl?\u201d Keep wondering: Riley Cavanaugh isn\u2019t answering.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adult<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"Becoming Nicole: The Transformation of an American Family<\/a><\/strong> by Amy Ellis Nutt<\/p>\n

Jonas and Wyatt were born identical twin boys, but by toddlerhood, Wyatt knew she was a girl. Their mother Kelly supported Nicole unconditionally; father Wayne’s understanding would take longer. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nutt edifies readers with history, science, medicine, and law, deftly exposing the family\u2019s challenges without demonizing the ignorant, fearful, at times downright nasty naysayers.<\/p>\n

 
\n\"\"Middlesex<\/a><\/strong> by Jeffrey Eugenides<\/p>\n

The 2003 Pulitzer Prize-winner has one of fiction’s best opening lines: \u201cI was born twice: first, as a baby girl, on a remarkably smogless Detroit day in January of 1960; and then again, as a teenage boy, in an emergency room near Petoskey, Michigan, in August of 1974.\u201d Cal\u2019s epic self-discovery, interwoven through an epic ancestral tale, is a complex, transformative journey indeed.<\/p>\n

 
\n\"\"She\u2019s Not There: A Life in Two Genders<\/a><\/strong> by Jennifer Finney Boylan<\/p>\n

Originally published in 2003, Boylan updated her bestselling memoir, chronicling her transition from James to Jenny, in 2013. With growing awareness of the transgender community, Boylan’s memoir is even more resonating today.<\/p>\n

 
\n\"\"This Is How It Always Is<\/a><\/strong> by Laurie Frankel<\/p>\n

Frankel\u2019s third novel is her most personal: As the mother of a transgender daughter, she writes with clarity, truth, and heart. Rosie and Penn already have four sons when Claude arrives. A remarkable child by all accounts, Claude announces at age three that he wants to be a girl when he grows up. Cautious at first, the family creates a loving, nurturing world as Claude becomes Poppy. But even in the most accepting environments, living with secrets has challenges and consequences impossible to ignore.<\/p>\n

 
\n\"\"\"\"The Transgender Child: A Handbook for Families and Professionals<\/strong> by Stephanie Brill and Rachel Pepper<\/p>\n

Just about everything you ever wanted\/needed\/hoped to know about raising a transgender child. An indispensable guide for all families and institutions that include transgender members. See also: The Transgender Teen: A Handbook for Parents and Professionals Supporting Transgender and Non-Binary Teens<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Published<\/strong>: The Booklist Reader<\/em>, March 28, 2017<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

News about the transgender community \u2013 including\u00a0banned books, bathroom laws, hockey, wrestlers, models, parades, Jackie and Juliet Evancho, and, most tragically, a horrifying murder\u00a0caught on cellphone video \u2013 have all made recent headlines. Books can be helpful, entertaining, illuminating portals into the trans*\/gender nonconforming (GNC)…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":42007,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,62,6,7243,107,30,20,6535,31],"tags":[7371,7007,6745,7084,7369,6608,6668,7235,7366,7362,7363,22,7014,3173,10,11,6007,6454,51,6930,419,7360,6009,6968,1404,7012,6008,7287,50,7013,7006,202,6931,7365,2250,420,7367,6453,39,3174,28,7364,7361,79,203,7372,6010,204,44,7370,6967,7286,6077,7368],"class_list":["post-41997","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adult-readers","category-children-picture-books","category-fiction","category-lists","category-memoir","category-middle-grade-readers","category-nonfiction","category-repost","category-young-adult-readers","tag-amy-ellis-nutt","tag-art-of-being-normal","tag-becoming-nicole","tag-being-jazz","tag-beyond-magenta","tag-bookdragon","tag-booklist","tag-booklist-reader","tag-brook-pessin-whedbee","tag-chris-case","tag-christine-baldacchino","tag-civil-rights","tag-donna-gephart","tag-ellen-wittlinger","tag-family","tag-friendship","tag-i-am-jazz","tag-i-w-gregorio","tag-identity","tag-if-i-was-your-girl","tag-isabelle-malenfant","tag-jacobs-new-dress","tag-jazz-jennings","tag-jeff-garvin","tag-jeffrey-eugenides","tag-jennifer-finney-boylan","tag-jessica-herthel","tag-laurie-frankel","tag-lgbtqia","tag-lily-and-dunkin","tag-lisa-williamson","tag-matt-thorn","tag-meredith-russo","tag-michael-hall","tag-middlesex","tag-morris-micklewhite-and-the-tangerine-dress","tag-naomi-bardoff","tag-none-of-the-above","tag-parent-child-relationship","tag-parrotfish","tag-politics","tag-red-a-crayons-story","tag-sarah-and-ian-hoffman","tag-school-challenges","tag-series-wandering-son","tag-shes-not-there","tag-shelagh-mcnicholas","tag-shimura-takako","tag-siblings","tag-susan-kuklin","tag-symptoms-of-being-human","tag-this-is-how-it-always-is","tag-wandering-son","tag-who-are-you"],"yoast_head":"\nA Trans* and Gender Nonconforming Reading List for All Ages [in The Booklist Reader] - BookDragon<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/apa.si.edu\/bookdragon\/trans-gender-nonconforming-reading-list-ages-booklist-reader\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"A Trans* and Gender Nonconforming Reading List for All Ages [in The Booklist Reader] - BookDragon\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"News about the transgender community \u2013 including\u00a0banned books, bathroom laws, hockey, wrestlers, models, parades, Jackie and Juliet Evancho, and, most tragically, a horrifying murder\u00a0caught on cellphone video \u2013 have all made recent headlines. 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