Alte Friedman
We’ve searched the entire internet among the growing number of transgender books and have found 10 spectacular books with transgender themes. If you want your child to learn about the diverse nature of humanity, or if you’re seeking some inspiration from incredibly moving stories, this going to be your jam.
#1 Frog Boots by Jill Esbaum
Little Dylan loves his new boots, even if they’re meant for girls. This is a great new picture book about being true to yourself, despite what society says is appropriate for your gender.
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#2 Between Shadow and Sun by Ms. Tina Madison White
Written by Tina Madison. This is one of the best books on transgender. The only thing I love about this about is the fact that the author puts it clear in step-by-step what you need to know about transgender. Besides, the book brings it clear the experience that transgender people go through.
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#3 Two Spirits, One Heart by Marsha Aizumi
This is another book on transgender where the author brings out the different aspects of transgender. In this book, the author narrates how she parented a young woman who had lesbian-like looks. Through such a personal experience, it is easier for readers to easily grasp the different concepts about transgender.
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#4 My Sister: How One Sibling’s Transition Changed Us Both
My Sister is told from two perspectives in alternating chapters-that of actress Selenis Leyva (Orange is the New Black) and her sister Marizol.. In these profoundly moving pages, the sisters reveal their authentic selves and write honestly about growing up in the Bronx, Marizol’s transition, and, more broadly, family, love, and the path to self-realization.
They also highlight the issues of violence, abuse, and discrimination that trans people and women of color-and especially trans women of color-experience daily. And they are open about the messiness and confusion of fully realizing oneself and being properly affirmed by others. Most importantly, theirs is a story of hope, one that will resonate with and encourage those in the process of transitioning, watching a loved one transition, and anyone taking control of their gender or sexual identities.
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#5 The Truth Is by NoNieqa Ramos
This teen book raises much awareness of the integration of transgenders in society and what it means to be in a relationship with a transmasculine. The main character Verdad finds herself falling for Danny who happens to be trans. Questions evolve surrounding her own identity, parents’ disapproval, and the secrets that brim just beneath the surface. An enticing yet authentic read with an eye-opening insight into the transgender struggle.
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#6 Real Queer America by Samantha Allen
A lot of books on the trans or queer experience — which is never a monolith, but as various as our individual lives – center on life in urban centers. Lots of books chronicle trans life in New York or San Francisco, Miami or Seattle. But what about all those spaces in between? Samantha Allen’s superlative Real Queer America: LGBT Stories from Red States travels the in-between, interviewing trans and gender non-comforming folx about their experiences in places like Provo, Utah and rural Tennessee. It is a necessary book, in short.
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#7 Unconditional: A Guide to Loving and Supporting Your LGBTQ Child by Telaina Eriksen
Looking for LGBTQ books that offer guidance on providing loving support to your LGBT child? Unconditional: A Guide to Loving and Supporting Your LGBTQ Child provides parents of LGBTQ children with a framework for navigating through a world that isn’t always welcoming.
Author Telaina Eriksen, a professor at Michigan State University and the mother of a gay daughter, explains what she and her husband have learned through experience, including how to respond to gay children coming out, confront bullying of gay children, become an advocate for gay children, and build a support system in a gay family. Eriksen also covers the science on gender and sexuality and how to help a transgender child through the various stages of development.
Throughout the book, parents and kids who have been there share their stories. LGBTQ parents will learn everything from how to help their child navigate locker rooms, sleepovers, and school dances to ways to educate well-meaning, but misguided extended family members.
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#8 Pride & Joy: LGBTQ Artists, Icons and Everyday Heroes by Kathleen Archambeau
Pride and Joy: LGBTQ Artists, Icons and Everyday Heroes tells the stories of queer citizens of the world living happy, fulfilling, successful lives. Diverse and global. Famous and unsung. There is a story here for everyone in the LGBT community who has ever questioned their sexual orientation or gender identity, or discovered it. Discover LGBTQ community stories that will stir you and reveal why Tony Kushner quit cello and how Colm Toibin found his voice; why Emma Donoghue calls her experience a fluke and the best advice Bill T. Jones got was from his mother; how being an inaugural poet changed Richard Blanco’s life and how Ugandan activist Long Jones escaped death threats and gained asylum.
Award-winning writer and longtime LGBTQ activist Kathleen Archambeau tells the untold stories from diverse LGBT community voices around the corner or around the world. Not like the depressing, sinister, shadowy stories of the past, this book highlights queer people living open, happy, fulfilling and successful lives.
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#9 We Make It Better by Eric Rosswood
We’re here, we’re queer, and we make the world a better place. People in the LGBTQ community have made positive contributions throughout history and we continue to improve society today. In We Make It Better, Eric Rosswood and Kathleen Archambeau share inspirational stories of queer icons in a series of revealing close-ups, first-person accounts, and intimate snapshots of LGBTQ pioneers and heroes.
Did you know that Apple (the largest tech company in the world) is run by Tim Cook, an openly gay man? Did you know one of the biggest blockbuster sci-fi movie franchises was directed by the Wachowskis, two transgender women who also happen to be siblings? Did you know that Icelands first female prime minister, Jóhanna Sigurdardóttir, was also the worlds first openly gay head of government? We set trends in fashion, film, music, art, and technology.
We’re Academy Award winners, Grammy Award winners, Pulitzer Prize winners, and Olympic Gold medalists. Were doctors, lawyers, judges, politicians, and religious leaders. We run businesses and we run countries. You’ll be inspired to take PRIDE in your community as you learn about some of the LGBTQ heroes who have done all of this and more.
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#10 The ABC’s of LGBT+ by Ashley Mardell
The ABC’s of LGBT+ is a #1 Bestselling LGBT book and is essential reading for questioning teens, teachers or parents looking for advice–or anyone who wants to learn how to talk about gender identity and sexual identity. We are living in a post-binary world where gender fluency and a real understanding of our LGBT+ family is essential. Ashley Mardell, one of the most trusted voices on YouTube, presents a detailed look at all things LGBT+ in this remarkable book.
Along with in-depth definitions, personal anecdotes, helpful infographics, resources, and more, Mardell’s LGBT book is proof that it does get better every day in a world where people are empowered by information and understanding. In Mardell’s own words, This book is also for allies and LGBT+ people simply looking to pack in some extra knowledge a critical part of acceptance. Learning about new identities broadens our understanding of humanity, heightens our empathy, and allows us different, valuable perspectives.
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[su_box title=”Contributors to this article” box_color=”#ffcad7″ title_color=”#000000″ radius=”0″]Brooke Van Sickle from Journey to KidLit
Stella Samuel from Brandnic
Brooke Parsons from Hachette Book Group
Adina Mahalli from EnlightenedReality
D. Gilson from FreeAdvice
Christina McCall from Mango Publishing
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