4 stars An excellent starting point in understanding gender nonconforming identities. In the first half of the book, Vaid-Menon discusses various issues experienced by the gender nonconforming community, connecting them to their own life, and making the case for why a rigid gender binary is harmful. The second half goes into specific arguments against gender…
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Illustrated by Xochitl Cornejo 5 stars A delightful picture book that normalizes questioning one’s gender identity, surrounding yourself with supportive friends and family, and finding a good fit for you. Payden doesn’t quite feel like a boy and sets out to talk to friends and community members about how they found their pronouns. The books…
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by Dianna E. Anderson 3 stars Overall, an interesting read. Anderson tackles quite a few topics in this book, mostly centering around the language of trans identity and gender-nonconformity, and the issues of a world that seeks binaries. The book is a bit tricky to pin down because it’s a little bit of everything. Part…
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Illustrated by Soofiya 5 stars A fantastic read that is educational, supportive, affirming, and inclusive. What a great book. Dawson brings a touch a humor to a topic that can often be scary, stressful, and frustrating. She also offers advice and support along the way. While the book is targeted toward teens and young adults…
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by Mara Rockliff Illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley 4 stars A fantastic and inspiring biography picture book about the career of Billie Jean King. The book focuses mainly on King’s tennis career with a little more about her personal life included in the backmatter. Throughout the story, King is faced with sexist remarks, questions, and treatment….
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A Book About Gender Identity by Theresa Thorn Illustrated by Noah Grigni 4 stars Informative and encouraging. A sweet book presenting a variety of gender identities through its characters. It discusses being a girl, a boy, both, and neither. A great place to start having conversations with young children about gender identity and expression. Through…
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5 stars Action, adventure, mystery, drama, humor, and a bit of adorable romance. This Dungeons-and-Dragons-style book has it all! Enter the fantasy world of an unnamed kingdom and join a group of friends on their quest to discover the truth behind an odd plant. This book was so much fun. Filled with supportive friendships, action…
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5 stars Another fantastic volume in the Heartstopper series. This one is heavier than the previous volumes. While the others tend to be sweet with a hint of hardship, this one really focuses on the hardships of life and relationships. It deals with some serious topics including mental health, specifically eating disorders and references to…
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by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings Illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas 5 stars A sweet story detailing Jazz’s social transition as a girl including changing her name, using the girls’ bathroom, growing her hair long, and playing on the girls’ soccer team. Her story is told in simple language appropriate for young readers. It focuses on…
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by Mahogany L. Browne with Elizabeth Acevedo and Olivia Gatwood Illustrated by Theodore Taylor III Forward by Jason Reynolds 5 stars A phenomenal collection of poetry focused on race, identity, equality, and justice. The book blends elements of history, resistance, injustice, and anti-racism. It also explains various concepts such as privilege, intersectionality, and stereotypes. Each…
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