Today is the 10th annual National Day of Reading: A Celebration of Trans Stories, so let’s celebrate with some terrific recent picture, chapter, and middle grade books with trans protagonists and role models to read today or any day!
The National Day of Reading is organized by the HRC Foundation’s Welcoming Schools project, the National Education Association, and the American Association of School Librarians. They invite people to organize a reading at their schools or in their communities at a local library (and to register here if you do). You can also help fund a set of four trans-led books to be sent to a Title 1 school or community library serving multiply-marginalized populations across the country.
Below are some newer titles with trans protagonists—consider them for your own home or community! Click images or titles for full reviews, and visit my Database of LGBTQ Family Books for even more titles with trans and other queer characters.
Picture Books
Marley’s Pride, by Joëlle Retener, illustrated by DeAnn Wiley (Barefoot Books). A bright and affirming story about a nonbinary child who learns to overcome their fears so they can attend Pride with their nonbinary grandparent. There’s so much to love about this story: a protagonist and speaking cast entirely of color (though some White people appear in the crowds); a trans elder mentoring a trans youth—in a grandparent-to-grandchild relationship, no less; and a message about the importance of queer community and supportive peers. The bright collage illustrations enhance the text, further showing us the diversity (in many dimensions) of the Pride crowd.
Door by Door: How Sarah McBride Became America’s First Openly Transgender Senator, by Meeg Pincus, illustrated by Meridth McKean Gimbel (Crown). Sarah McBride has always known two things: That she “wanted to change the world” and that she “knew who she was inside.” In this warm and inspiring biography, we follow her from childhood into becoming the first openly trans person to work at the White House, speak at the Democratic convention, and be a state senator. (The book was published before she also became the first trans U.S. representative.) Although she had feared that she couldn’t have both of her two truths at once—being herself and changing the world—she actually could, “opening the doors of opportunity for all … and changing the world in the process.”
Just Like Queen Esther, by Ari Moffic and Kerry Olitzky, illustrated by Rena Yehuda Newman (Jessica Kingsley). Atara wears a crown everywhere—even to swim lessons, and playing basketball in school with the other girls. As a trans girl, she finds it helps show people that she’s a girl, not a boy. When her mother reads her a story for the Jewish holiday of Purim, about the saving of the Jewish people by the Persian Queen Esther, Atara learns that the crown-wearing Esther hid her (Jewish) identity just like Atara used to hide her trans identity from her parents. Queen Esther quickly becomes Atara’s role model, and Atara is thrilled when she gets to play her in drama class. Her performance is a big hit. But when Atara forgets her crown at home one day, she finds the self-confidence to realize that a crown is less important than what she feels inside.
Chapter Book
She Persisted: Rachel Levine, by Lisa Bunker, illustrated by Gillian Flint (Philomel). Part of the chapter book series inspired by the number one New York Times bestseller She Persisted, by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger, this biography of Admiral Rachel Levine is thoughtful and informative. Author Lisa Bunker, who is not only a writer but was one of the first few transgender people elected to a state legislature, brings both an awareness of trans identities and an understanding of politics to bear in covering Levine’s life from birth to her appointment as U.S. assistant secretary for health. Bunker does a good job of showcasing Levine’s accomplishments as a health professional while also exploring where and how her trans identity (or people’s reactions to it) impacted her life. Pencil drawings by Gillian Flint complement the text, offering visual interest for readers making the shift from picture books.
Middle Grade
Who Is Amy Schneider? Questions on Growing Up, Being Curious, and Winning It Big on Jeopardy! by Amy Schneider (Simon & Schuster). In this young readers’ edition of Jeopardy! champion Amy Schneider’s autobiography In the Form of a Question, Schneider takes us from her Jeopardy!-loving childhood in an Ohio Catholic family to her 40-game winning streak and becoming the show’s most successful woman contestant. Along the way, she offers insights on the many types of intelligence (spoiler: it’s not just about remembering facts), the importance of learning about both the world and oneself, and being proud of one’s identity without letting it define you.
A World Worth Saving, by Kyle Lukoff (Dial). On one level, all you need to know about Newbery honoree and two-time Stonewall Award winner Lukoff’s latest middle grade novel is that it’s an exciting tale of a Jewish, transgender boy trying to save the world from anti-trans demons. That alone should be enough to commend it. But it’s also a powerful story of self-growth, the many ways of transformation, and the complexity of human relationships. Jewish folklore. Jewish values, traditions, and history underpin the story in multiple ways, but one doesn’t have to be Jewish to appreciate the themes that Lukoff surfaces from his interpretation of Jewish texts and thought: the holy nature of being trans and the spiritual power of being oneself.
Lunar Boy, by Jes and Cin Wibowo (HarperAlley). This Stonewall Award winner is a warm and touching graphic novel about a transgender boy finding community and connection in a richly imagined future world drawn from Indonesian culture and history. Protagonist Indu faces challenges, but also finds support, and each of his challenges are overcome with conversation, communication, and reflection, a gentle modeling for young (and old) readers. It makes for a highly recommended tale of finding oneself, one’s family, and one’s community.
Ice Apprentices, by Jacob North (Simon & Schuster). A trans boy leads this immersive and creatively imagined adventure on a harsh ice world where magic holds the key to survival. Author Jacob North has created a compelling and original world that keeps the story from feeling like a tired rehash of the “magic school” trope. Notably, too, Oswin’s trans identity is a non-issue, as are the nonbinary identities of another student and a professor, and the fact that one male professor wears a skirt. (We also learn in passing that one character, unremarkably, has two dads.) There’s a definite message about belonging here, but refreshingly, it doesn’t center around queer identities. The story wraps up satisfyingly, but with clear hooks for a sequel. Put on a warm sweater and curl up with this recommended tale.
Wishbone, by Justine Pucella Winans (Bloomsbury USA). This mystery-horror adventure with a transgender demiboy protagonist has an underlying theme about embracing all parts of ourselves. Winans doesn’t center the plot on his transness, although it comes up in ways that feel organic. The story is full of other queerness, too, and there are some fun moments that simply radiate queer joy.
