One thing I’ve enjoyed lately in my reading is getting to savor the explosion of LGBTQ+ characters who get to be out and themselves on the published page. It gives me great joy to offer these books featuring trans and nonbinary children with supportive adults in their lives! This is far from a complete listing, I limited myself to only my favorites, and only those published within the past three years. Sometimes books are a window, and sometimes they are a much needed mirror. Whichever these are for you, happy reading and happy Pride!
Picture Books
Born Ready: The True Story of a Boy Named Penelope by Jodie Patterson
Penelope knows he’s a boy. After a bit of self-advocacy his grown-ups are receptive, and he transitions smoothly. In one touching moment, a very accepting Grandpa notes that in his native language of Twi, pronouns aren’t gendered. A simple story of social transition, told well.
A Whale of a Tea Party by Erica Perl
In this easy reader, Whale wishes she had friends who weren’t her pet rocks. Enter Quail and Snail! Snail is nonbinary, and introduces themselves with a name tag that includes pronouns. Whale is delighted to invite her new friends to her tea party!
My Rainbow by Trinity and DeShanna Neal
A loving family helps a Black autistic trans girl to find the hair that feels just right in this true story, which parent and child collaboratively wrote.
Graphic Novels
Rabbit Chase by Elizabeth LaPensée
Aim̌e, a nonbinary child, is Alice in this Wonderland-meets-Anishinaabe mythology graphic novel. The white rabbit is featured as a trickster and the Queen of Hearts takes the role of colonizer in this coming-of-age eco-justice-oriented adventure.
The Deep & Dark Blue by Niki Smith
Twins Hawke and Grayson have to pretend to be girls to escape a treasonous cousin. One of them isn’t pretending. Heartwarmingly affirming and full of colorful magic, this is a perfectly crafted adventure tale of intrigue.
Novels
The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels by Beth Lincoln
A boisterous family reunion with a treasure to find, a couple of murders, and a mystery to go with them. One of the children is nonbinary and one of the adults is a trans woman, with the thrust of the plot remaining the double murder mystery and treasure hunt. A good time is had by all (except those murdered).
Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston by Esme Symes-Smith
Callie is a nonbinary kid who wants to be a knight, befriends the evil regent's daughter and the downtrodden young king who is into "girly things" like magic and dancing, and makes impassioned speeches about justice. They are a wonderful hero.
Ellen Outside The Lines by A. J. Sass
A Jewish autistic child goes on a class trip to Barcelona. Friendship tangles and middle school crushes abound as the class is broken into teams for a city-wide scavenger hunt. Gender and sexuality are lightly explored as Ellen makes friends with a nonbinary kid, has crushes, learns of others having crushes, explores the city, and tries out bilingual puns.
Too Bright to See by Kyle Lukoff
Bug used to live with Mom and Uncle Roderick, but now Uncle has just passed away, leaving Mom and Bug grief-stricken. Bug feels his ghost is lingering, trying to say something. But what? A heartwarming ghost story about grief and coming out that left me with the warm fuzzies.
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