In the UK, the 13-19th of November is marked as Transgender Awareness Week.
This aims to support and raise the visibility of transgender and gender non-conforming people while bringing a focus to the issues faced by the community. In this spirit, we have put together a reading list of some of the great books featuring and written by transgender or gender non-conforming people.
All books listed are available to borrow from the Library unless stated otherwise!
If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo [eBook*]
'A new kind of big-hearted novel about being seen for who you really are.'Available as an ebook, this book was inspired by Meredith Russo's own life. It is celebrated for bring the first widely distributed YA book written by a transgender woman about transgender teenagers.
'Amanda Hardy is the new girl in school. Like anyone else, all she wants is to make friends and fit in. But Amanda is keeping a secret, and she's determined not to get too close to anyone.
But when she meets sweet, easygoing Grant, Amanda can't help but start to let him into her life. As they spend more time together, she realises just how much she is losing by guarding her heart. She finds herself yearning to share with Grant everything about herself, including her past. But Amanda's terrified that once she tells him the truth, he won't be able to see past it.
Because the secret Amanda's been keeping? It's that at her old school, she used to be Andrew. Will the truth cost Amanda her new life, and her new love?
Meredith Russo's If I Was Your Girl is a universal story about feeling different and a love story that everyone will root for.'
Trans Mission by Alex Bertie [STM - 301.415]
'Being a teenager is difficult enough, but having to go through puberty whilst realising you're in the wrong body means dealing with a whole new set of problems: bullying, self-doubt and in some cases facing a physical and medical transition.
Alex is an ordinary teenager: he likes pugs, donuts, retro video games and he sleeps with his socks on. He's also transgender, and was born female. He's been living as a male for the past few years and has recently started his physical transition.
Throughout this book, Alex will share what it means to be in his shoes, as well as his personal advice to other trans teens. Above all, he will show you that every step in his transition is another step towards happiness. This is an important and positive book, a heart-warming coming-of-age memoir with a broad appeal.'
I Was Born for This by Alice Oseman [STM]
Told in a dual POV style, Alice Oseman's third book explores fame, friendship and the complexities of identity.
'For Angel Rahimi, life is only about one thing: The Ark - a pop-rock trio of teenage boys who are currently taking the world by story. Being part of The Ark's fandom has given her everything - her friendships, her dreams, her place in the world.
Jimmy Kaga-Ricci owes everything to The Ark too. He's their frontman - and playing in a band it all he's ever dreamed of doing. It's just a shame that recently everything in his life seems to have turned into a bit of a nightmare.
Because that's the problem with dreaming - eventually, inevitably, real life arrives with a wake-up call. And when Angel and Jimmy are unexpectedly thrust together, they will discover just how strange and surprising facing up to reality can be.'
Melissa by Alex Gino [STA/STM]
Previously titled George, this book was renamed by the author in 2021. Melissa was written is response to a lack of transgender representation in children's literature and has been described by Alex Gino as 'the book [they] wanted to read' while growing up.
'When people look at Melissa, they think they see a boy named George. But she knows she's not a boy. She knows she's a girl.
Melissa thinks she'll have to keep this a secret forever. Then her teacher announces that their class play is going to be Charlotte's Web. Melissa, really, really, REALLY wants to play Charlotte. But the teacher says she can't even try out for the part... because she's a boy.
With the help of her best friend, Kelly, Melissa comes up with a plan. Not just so she can be Charlotte - but so everyone can know who she is, once and for all.'
What's the T? by Juno Dawson [STM-301.415]
'Discover what it means to be a young transgender or non-binary person in the twenty-first century in this frank and funny guide for 14+ teens, from the author of
This Book is Gay. What's the T?, Stonewall ambassador, bestselling trans author and former PSHE teacher Juno Dawson defines a myriad of labels and identities and offers uncensored advice on coming out, sex and relationships with her trademark humour and lightness of touch. Juno has also invited her trans and non-binary friends to make contributions, ensuring this inclusive book reflects as many experiences as possible, and features the likes of Travis Alabanza and Jay Hulme.
The companion title to the groundbreaking This Book is Gay, What's the T? tackles the complex realities of growing up trans with honesty and humour, and is joyfully illustrated by gender non-conforming artift Soofiya.'
Alice Austen Lived Here by Alex Gino [STA]
Also by GCH favourite Alex Gino,
Alice Austen Lived Here is a brilliant novel about friendship, family, identity and queer history.
'Sam is very in touch with their own queer identity. They're nonbinary, and their best friend, TJ, is nonbinary as well. Sam's family is very cool with it... as long as Sam remembers that nonbinary kids are also required to clean their rooms, do their homework, and try not to antagonise their teachers too much.
The teacher-respect thing is hard when it comes when it comes to Sam's history class, because their teacher seems to believe that only Dead Straight Cis White Men are responsible for history. When Sam's home borough of Staten Island opens up a contest for a new statue, Sam finds the perfect non-DSCWM subject: photographer Alice Austen, whose house has been turned into a museum, and who lived with a female partner for decades.
Soon, Sam's project isn't just about winning the contest. It's about discovering a rich queer history that Sam's a part of - a queer history that no longer needs to be quiet, as long as there are kids like Sam and TJ to stand up for it.'
The following YA books are not currently available at the Library but also come highly recommended!
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas (Fantasy/Romance/Contemporary)
Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender (First Love/High School/Contemporary Romance)
I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver (Contemporary Romance/Mental Health)
Meet Cute Diary by Emery Lee (Rom-Com/Contemporary)
May the Best Man Win by ZR Ellor (Contemporary Romance/High School/Rivalry)
Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms by Crystal Fraser [GN] (First Love/Friendship/High School)
Self-Made Boys: A Great Gatsby Remix by Anna-Marie McLemore (Historical Romance/Friendship/Inspired By)
*For more information on how to borrow our eBooks check out this blog post: Spotlight on eBooks!
