In celebration of Transgender Awareness Week, but good for reading all year long, here are reviews of some of my favorite picture, middle grade, and grown-up books from 2024 that feature trans youth or trans parents (and sometimes both).
Click images for full reviews, and come back to visit my full Database of LGBTQ Family Books regularly to see what’s new!
A bright and affirming story about a trans, nonbinary child who learns to overcome their fears so they can attend Pride with their trans, nonbinary grandparent.A novel that will break your heart and gently put it back together, as a nonbinary, autistic 12-year-old foster child finds a kindred spirit in a shelter dog—and just may have found a home with two moms (one of whom is trans).A mystery-horror adventure with a transgender demiboy protagonist and an underlying theme about embracing all parts of ourselves.A warm and touching graphic novel about a trans boy finding community and connection in the distant future, in a world built on Indonesian culture.A trans boy and a goth girl become unlikely friends in a fun story about connections, growth, and change.A moving dystopian novel with a queer and an indigenous protagonist at the fore, and other queer characters, too, including a transgender boy and a young man in a relationship with another man.In this graphic novel anthology, nine transgender people (men, women, and nonbinary) tell their stories of growing up with challenges and joys to become who they are, successful adults in a variety of fields.Award-winning journalist Lang spent hours with eight trans youth and their families, gaining insight into their lives and dreams and creating a powerful and personal look at these young people and those who support them.Greene, a trans man and inclusion consultant, has both personal and professional experience with the subject at hand, and aims this helpful book not only at parents, but any adult who wants to support trans youth.A heartbreaking and compellingly written memoir of raising a transgender daughter in rural New Hampshire—a powerful example of the very personal and negative impact that anti-trans legislation and policies have on children.Grandparents, author Janna Barkin asserts, are “an essential component” of support for trans youth. But generational differences, and sometimes physical distance, can mean they feel “left out of or confused about their grandchildren’s lives.” This book seeks to help bridge that gap. A memoir of author Oliver Radclyffe’s journey from being a 40-year-old mother of four and homemaker through coming out and transitioning as a trans man. Radclyffe offers thoughtful musings on parenthood as he shares his story.
