There’s too much hatred in the world. This Pride Month we celebrate our capacity for love in all forms. My hope is that everyone, in our schools and beyond, can open their hearts and listen to people who differ from them. Actively engaging with questions can enlighten those who are willing to grow. Knowledge often leads to compassion.
Whether it’s beliefs or lifestyles; ideas or ideals—if we’re empathetic toward each other, we’re more likely to live lives surrounded by peace and joy. Children and teens who are transgender have fielded harsh judgement from a world community that views them as impersonal talking points. In reality, individual paths are as varied as branches on trees. Authors who have written about transgender experiences elevate the discussion. These six books—three nonfiction, two fiction— are gems that can light the way with words. Although they’re all categorized as adult, they’ll appeal to older teens.
The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi
When a tragedy takes Vivek’s life, his parents are bereft. Their shock about the circumstances leading to his death propel them to search for meaning. They understand too late that sometimes the strict confines of tradition can have devastating results. Emezi evokes intense human emotions and brings to light how crucial it is to accept and love people exactly as they are.
Good Boy: My Life in Seven Dogs by Jennifer Finney Boylan
Through reflections of her beloved pets, the author views her own development and emergence into the person she is today. Born as a male, Boylan lived burdened by a feeling of dread. In the midst of her seemingly happy life, she was plagued with a heaviness that refused to disappear. Only when she embraced her truth was she able to thrive and feel a sense of freedom. Boylan writes with skill, infusing every sentence with dynamic energy.
This is How it Always Is by Laurie Frankel
Rosie, a successful ER doctor, and her stay-at-home writer husband, Penn, live in Madison, Wisconsin. As their family grows, they embrace the frenetic pace of life. They’re mystified when they watch their youngest of five sons, Claude, begin to enjoy wearing dresses and barrettes. Both vow to love Claude unconditionally and encourage him to express himself. Things become complicated, though, and secrets lead to a spiral of events that affects them all. Frankel’s writing is stunning—a mix of precise observation of the human condition, realistic dialogue, and understated sarcasm and humor.
What We Will Become: A Mother, A Son, and a Journey of Transformation by Mimi Lemay
This memoir has the capacity to burst open readers’ hearts. Lemay shares the story of her son’s transition and her own education about gender, identity, and meaning. With writing that is precise, entertaining, and emotional, she lets us into her intimate world of parenting. Looking back on her childhood as an Orthodox Jew, she examines how religion and societal norms shape our beliefs and judgements. The author tackles life’s uncertainties with warmth and sensitivity.
The Bold World: A Memoir of Family and Transformation by Jodie Patterson
As a child growing up in the 70s and 80s on the Upper West Side, Patterson learns from her parents to celebrate her racial identity. She also gets guidance from familial generations of female activists, who inspire her to fight for acceptance and equality. When her three-year-old daughter, Penelope, reveals that she is a boy, she embraces her child fully and does whatever she can to nurture his spirit. A beautifully written page turner that illustrates what people need for their souls to flourish.
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