Published April 20, 2022 Photo: Michael Murtaugh New legislation like Florida's Parental Rights in Education billknown by critics as the "Don't Say Gay" billand increased attempts to ban books. All Rights Reserved. Kristin Lattimer seems to have a picture-perfect teenage life. Try a free 30-day trial from Audible today, Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin, Nobody Passes by Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore, How Beautiful the Ordinary: Twelve Stories of Identity by Michael Cart, The Last Time I Wore a Dress by Dylan Scholinski, Stuck in the Middle with You by Jennifer Finney Boylan, All Boys Arent Blue by George M. Johnson, It Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity by Theresa Thorn, How Beautiful the Ordinary: Twelve Stories of Identity, It Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity. By the time readers are young adults, their worlds have broadened to include a wide range of people and life experiences that inform their developing identities. Reading level: grades 6 and up, ages 12 and up. Iowa teachers will be banned from raising gender identity and sexual orientation issues with students through grade six, and all books depicting sex acts will be removed from school libraries . But because LGBTQ history is so rarely taught in school, most dont have a sense of the history of that flag or the contextand recencyof modern Pride movements. mama said leave this house, her spirit broken by ache, I slept outside, spirit stayin up, my journey isnt self-made. Because the little animal is not like the bunnies or the birds, he is told, You cant play with us. To solidify the relationship between the two men, the story ends with a wedding. They take away all the boiling of the issue and the overcomplication and leave only the pure essence of the issue, allowing us to see exactly how trivial and foolish it is to further division and hate especially when it comes to educating children. While the book doesnt explicitly focus on themes of being transgender, non-binary, or otherwise gender diverse, that is somewhat where it draws its point from. Kim Reynolds (R) signed a bill into law on Friday that restricts lessons on gender identity and sexual orientation in schools from kindergarten through sixth grade. The prince met many ladies (and he made them all swoon! Will you like him for who he is?, The beautifully illustrated And Tango Makes Three tells the story of two male penguins in Central Park Zoo that did everything together.. The book is based on the true story of Jazz Jennings, a male who from a very young age identified as a female. DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Iowa teachers will be banned from raising gender identity and sexual orientation issues with students through grade six, and all books depicting sex acts will be removed from school libraries, under a bill signed into law by Republican Iowa Gov. However, there are no regrets about the genre and age jump, and the bill fits perfectly. Gender identity lessons: What schools are teaching students - The A 15-year-old transgender girl named Jam, and an unusual monster named Pet, set forth to save their society from pressing danger in this award-winning speculative novel. Witches, ghosts, queerness, and trans identitythis graphic novel has it all and will speak to anyone who identifies as a misfit. Life should be free, and expression should be about enjoyment and love, not rules and confinement. For more book suggestions, check out the American Library Associations Stonewall Book Awards titles, which introduced a Children and Young Literature category in 2010. Boyan also interviews several other parents, including Richard Russo, Edward Albee, Ann Beattie, Augusten Burroughs, Susan Minot, and several more. How Beautiful the Ordinary: Twelve Stories of Identity, Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity, Nobody Passes: Rejecting the Rules of Gender and Conformity, THEY/THEM: 5 Non-binary and Genderqueer Writers, Trans SFF for Transgender Day of Remembrance, 10 of the Best Sci-Fi Books of Summer 2023, 16 Recent Books Reddit Thinks Will Be Classics, Some of the Most Popular Books That Dont Exist, The Best Books You've Never Heard of From the 2000s. Legislation like Floridas Parental Rights in Education Actknown by critics as the Dont Say Gay lawand increased attempts to ban books censor discussions on sexuality and gender identity with young people. Luna by Julie Anne Peters. Will his parents allow it? Iowa law limits gender identity instruction, removes books depicting A lesson and an exploration of what gender norms mean as a whole from an entirely different perspective than usual, Girl Mans Ups sense of uniqueness and variety is something to be truly appreciated and a quality that carries it remarkably high when it comes to rating queer books, especially those that tackle issues related to gender. Kim . Genly Ai is two years into his envoy mission to Gethen, yet he still has to achieve his goal. Try the Morning Bell and get the days most important news and commentary from a team committed to the truth in formats that respect your timeand your intelligence. Reading level: grades 9-12, ages 14 and up. 30 Great LGBTQ+ Books for Kids and Teens | Brightly Diverse and Inclusive Books to Inspire Young Adults Pen has always presented more masculine but faces more criticism as she grows older, both from her parents and from peers. Kim Reynolds also mandates the removal of all books depicting sex acts from Iowa school libraries. The California teacher added that parents can stand against the far-left agenda in their childs school and empower other parents and like-minded teachers by asking questions in public at back-to-school night, PTA meetings, and board meetings.. The characters in these books encourage children of all genders to express their full, authentic selves. The 17 Best Children's Books about Gender Identity and Expression By including or promoting books like these in the classroom, schools are harming, not helping, children. Additionally, Audible offers a membership program that gives members access to a certain number of audiobooks per month, making it a cost-effective option for avid listeners. Have an opinion about this article? All manners of life and backgrounds are included, all prospective futures and views on the present are put in the spotlight, and on top of it all every opinion and introspect lives harmoniously with the others. But gender identity is the internal sense of being male, female, or a gender along the spectrum between male and female. LGBTQ Programs, Curriculum and Support In this series of books by transgender writer Kyle Lukoff, Max affirms his identity and learns, alongside his friends, not to make assumptions about people based on their gender. We asked Champoux, as well as a dozen other queer librarians, educators, and booksellers, for their reading recommendations for kids of all ages. Loud cheers erupted inside a packed high school gymnasium after the Brandon School Division rejected a call to remove certain books dealing with sexuality and gender identity from libraries. Inspired by some magically dressed-up women he sees on the subway, Julin creates his own unforgettable mermaid costume. Reading level: grades 5-9, ages 10 and up. The book comes from publishing house Flamingo Rampant, a great source of picture and middle-grade books that center on LGBTQ identities, Steube said. Its not easy being a queer teen in 2022, and it was even less so in the 1950s, said Spokane, Washingtonbased librarian Candise Branum of her pick, Last Night at the Telegraph Club. But when he plots revenge on an anonymous harasser, the results aren't anything that he expected. But the good news is, there is hope, and there are writers working to fill this void. The population of Gethen can and is encouraged to change and choose their gender at will, allowing for infinite self-expression and redefinition. By Laura Meckler June 3, 2022 at 6:00 a.m. EDT Science Teacher Max Firke watches the closing panel at the end of the annual Pride Town Hall at Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda, Md., in May.. Review Committee Recommendation - Gender Queer: A Memoir A Princess of Great Daring! In a follow-up book, Jacob's Room to Choose, Jacob and his friend Sophie confront the gendered bathroom divide, and in Jacob's School Play: Starring She, He and They, readers meet a nonbinary character. Ostensibly, the book is about a trans girl coming out to her friends for the first time while theyre playing a make-believe game involving princesses and dragons. Homecoming queen Kristin discovers she has androgen insensitivity syndrome, an intersex condition, after a painful attempt at having sex. This celebration of the colors of the rainbow, featuring a diverse cast of characters, encourages kids to reject rigid gender norms and follow their passions. If you see a Princess Boy Will you laugh at him? Who will stand beside him if his secret is revealed? Books with Trans and Nonbinary Characters for Middle Grade Readers The book doesnt focus on LGBTQ kids specifically, but Sara Luce Look, co-owner of Charis Books & More in Decatur, Georgia, found that it had the perfect inclusive message about anatomy. Don't have time to read them all? Try a free 30-day trial from Audible today, and you'll get access to a selection of Audible Originals and audiobooks, along with a credit to purchase any title in their premium selection, regardless of price (including many of the books on this list!). couldnt I just wear dresses, make money, and behave? Other affiliate programs linking to recommended products and services are also used. Everyone, that is, except Neither. Kim Reynolds signs Iowa education law with book ban, LGBTQ restrictions Remember to include the url or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state. I would know. Ho'onani doesn't feel like she is completely a girl (wahine) or a boy (kane). She is the co-host of "The Daily Signal Podcast" and "Problematic Women." There are a lot of books that attempt to do that which was described above, with varying levels of commercial success and production qualities, but many of them end up falling short by trying to make something that should be natural into something that is overly analytical. Set in the distant extraterrestrial world of Gethen, Left Hand of Darkness is both thought-provoking regarding its relevance to real-life issues and an amazing book by the merit of its fictional aspects and story. The book works through the concepts of tomboys, butches, and drag kings, passing, and societys policing of gender. New Iowa law restricts gender identity education, bans books with I want to note here that since the author now goes by Jack Halberstam and uses both masc and femme pronouns, though the book is still published under Judith. This book explores the construct of masculinity within society and gender performance, especially as it pertains to lesbians and trans individuals. The book is the prequel to Akwaeke Emezis popular Pet, and it tells the alternate-reality tale of a teen called to use her voice for protest when her supposed utopian city of Lucille becomes embroiled in violence. Meet our 51 experts. I got too much queer in me to live their way tonight. Embracing Gender Identities | Association for Library Service to Rate this book. After Saya's mother is sent to an immigration detention center, Saya finds comfort in listening to her mother's warm greeting on their answering machine. 10. The knight took off his helmet to reveal his handsome face, and as they gazed into each others eyes, their hearts began to race.. Subject: Review Committee Recommendation, Gender Queer: A Memoir Per Regulation 3009, a committee made up of a high school administrator, two high school librarians, two parents of high school students, two high school students, and a specialist from the Office of Equity and Family Engagement met on October 26, 2021 to review the request for reconsideration of the book Gender Queer: A Memoir . I Am Jazz! Middle - The following books are appropriate for middle school students, often with themes about accepting others, coming to terms with your own identity, and being yourself. What is an intrinsically simple matter at its heart has spent many years being complicated by those who do not want to understand it or refuse to. Packing together the best aspects of the rest of its kind, this masterpiece by Ash Hardell is a collection of tips, explanations, and insights into various things, labels, and identities that fall under the queer communitys roof. Scholinski was confined to a mental health institution and labeled as having Gender Identity Disorder, and spent the next three years after that point in intensive conversion therapy. Just like Nobody Passes before it, there is no true overarching lens that one can apply to How Beautiful the Ordinary: Twelve Stories of Identity to make it make sense in an overview context, but, rather, the individual merit of the stories themselves stands alone amongst what one could say about the book as a whole. This brings up issues many trans/gender-nonconforming youth face as they simply try to exist in society. A tale of friendship and superpowers, or lack thereof, featuring a queer female protagonist and her transgender best friend. The rhyming story Prince & Knight puts a homosexual twist on the classic tale of a prince in search of his true love. Twelve-year-old Charlotte Lockard and eleven-year-old Ben Boxer are separated by more than a thousand miles. Only bunnies and birds live in the land of these and those, but one day both or neither is born. It Feels Good to Be Yourself is superbly written, incredibly easy to understand, and if those plus sides werent enough for you illustrated beautifully by Noah Grigni, who is trans and queer. Reading level: grades 7-12, ages 12 and up. Jacob wants to wear a dress to school. Written in English and Spanish. Through rich language and illustrations, kids and families can turn to books to help them feel proud, seen, and understood when facing challenges that often confront trans, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming people. To sound off, please emailletters@DailySignal.comand well consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular We Hear You feature. The frightening thing, however, is that Dylans story is not an isolated one, nor is his bravery something that he is alone in being forced to exhibit in the face of utterly disturbing circumstances. Kim Reynolds delivers her inaugural address, Jan. 13, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa. Hardell understands that the delivery of information is almost as important as the information itself, and it shows in how she writes, reaches out, and delivers her thoughts. ISBN: 9780399554674 . Can a fifth-grade drama production allow them to show everyone their true selves? One could easily assume that discussing gender identity isnt much of a controversial subject and that it and its related matters are easily discussed with logic and acceptance in hand. Iowa Gov. This is another compilation work the second in a row! The beauty of an anthology is that theres something for everyone, and these stories, while varying in genre and theme, all speak to the desire for acceptance and struggles that LGBTQ+ people face. Lo is also the founder of Diversity in YA, a volunteer-run blog that promotes young adult books featuring disabled and LGBTQ characters as well as people of color. The 10 Best Books About Gender Identity You Should Have Read Already By This content contains affiliate links. In the first few pages, we meet a handsome and sincere prince who needs a bride before he can take his place as king. It engages children on an imaginative level and lights up their empathy and understanding, she said. The stress and stigma of being a sexual orientation or gender identity minority can increase developmental risks for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, queer, asexual, or intersex children and youth. But as Aidan grew older, he began to realize he was a different type of boy. Although it was hard to tell his parents what he knew about himself, it was even harder not to. Sarah Hollenbeck, co-owner of the Women & Children First bookstore in Chicago, said parents of trans kids have picked up the book and really responded to its generous spirit. Tags: child, children, early-childhood, gender, gender-identity, gender-roles, lgbt, lgbtq When the zookeeper sees them build a nest and sit on a stone to try to hatch an egg, he has an idea. Across the bottom of the page runs a line of pronouns. The colorful pink pages of My Princess Boy tell the story of a 4-year-old boy who likes to play dress up in girly dresses and dances like a beautiful ballerina.. Her office announced Friday that the bill was signed. While they have a catalog comprising over half a million books including from many bestselling authors, for some of the books on this list, you'll still have to purchase individually - either as a paperback or eBook to load on your Kindle - due to publishing house restrictions. by Malinda Lo. list created October 5th, 2018 by Lydia Bowers (votes) . How will she manage her new identity, and what will she do when the whole school finds out? Rosenbergs Confessions of the Fox is historical fiction with dueling narrativesprimarily that of the famed London thief Jack Sheppard, whom the novel reimagines as AFAB, and underneath, the narrative of a modern-day professor, also trans, who is authenticating the found manuscript about Sheppard. This list, which is divided into books for 0-5 year-olds, elementary school students and middle schoolers, includes recommended informational picture books, as well as works of fiction and non-fiction that challenge gender norms and explore the wide spectrum of gender . A young narrator is initially afraid that her family might be too different to include, but shes soon proved wrong by other kids comical depictions of their own diverse households, including families with divorced parents, foster kids, lots of grandparents, two dads, and two moms who are terrible singers but nevertheless love to sing really loud., When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita ($11 at the time of publication), Also available at Women & Children First ($19 at the time of publication). Her memoir details her experience transitioning with an intersectional focus: growing up both poor and black presents unique struggles, and Mocks narrative is full of trauma and heartbreak. The MSAD 6 school board voted Tuesday night to keep a controversial book on sexuality and gender identity on the shelves of the middle school library, rejecting an appeal from some. Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo ($12 at the time of publication), Also available at Unabridged Books (about $12 at the time of publication). Here are 36 fantastic books that feature gender-inclusive characters. Nowadays it seems that the false issues being raised with the subject are beyond number and that the actual steps that need to be taken are being lamented at every possible point. Neither is not a bunny or a bird, but has characteristics of both. This book was definitely a spark for a wave of books geared towards young readers, and helps young people struggling with gender to feel seen and valid. is a favorite of Lee Steube, YA librarian at the Upper Darby Township & Sellers Memorial Free Public Library in Pennsylvania. The Audible app also has features like adjustable narration speed, a sleep timer, and the ability to create bookmarks, making it easy to customize your listening experience. Thats why picture books that serve to normalize different family structureslike Federico and All His Familiesare so important for all toddler- and preschool-age kids. What better way to end this list of books about gender Identity on a supportive note than with this absolutely lovely childrens book? She spent ten years as a father before beginning her transition to being both a woman and a mother and has visited every possible middle point on the way. Now Roy and Silo were fathers. Beyond the sexual messages of the books being inappropriate for children, there are also mental health concerns involved, Eckert said. K-5 Gender Books, Lessons, and Videos Plus films, fashion, pop culture, gay events, and much, much more. The book begins with 18 illustrated pages of children and adults standing side by side in shades of green, blue, and yellow. The books characters have a group of friends who are also on the queer spectrum, and its beautiful to see them interact so naturally and comfortably, like its not even a big deal that ones transgender or ones gay, Hersh said. For late-elementary and early middle-school kids, theres a real need for explanatory nonfiction books that challenge some of our traditional thinking about bodies and gender, said Remy Timbrook, a librarian at the Oakland Public Library in Oakland, California. But Boylans story isnt the only one covered and explored within Stuck in the Middle with Yous pages. / ), but it was soon clear that he was singing a different tune.. The importance placed on gender markers when it comes to birth certificates, licenses, etc. But many kids today are growing up with queer parents and other extended family members, as well as in communities with queer families and classmates. Will Ana reveal her nonbinary identity to everyone? Is the Sleeping Conservative Dragon Finally Waking Up? The Power of Story: Diverse Books for All Readers. By: John Ransom Cartoon book about gender identity in New York middle school has parent furious By A parent in Dutchess County, New York is asking a local school why cartoon books about gender identity are available in her child's middle school library. As though shes pretending to be a boy and should either admit that she is trans or act like a real girl. With a protagonist who changes sex mid-novel and explores relationships with partners of both genders, and even includes a singular they pronoun, Orlando is one of the most important novels we have about gender. And yet, for some reason, people are acting as if shes somehow different now. This might be triggering for some, but ultimately important in the way it presents a protagonist who just wants to be accepted. As teenage readers discover who they are, it's important that they have access to stories that reflect and celebrate the full range of human experiences and a diversity of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical and mental abilities, religion, and culture. And his brother dances with my Princess Boy., His dad tells my Princess Boy how pretty he looks in a dress.. (Aidans) parents have this beautiful moment of accountability with their child about having made some mistakes by raising him in the wrong gender, Hollenbeck said. Virginia Allen Naomi Socher-Lerner, librarian at Parkway Central Childrens Department of the Free Library of Philadelphia, email interview, March 16, 2022, Sara Luce Look, co-owner of Charis Books & More, phone interview, March 17, 2022, Gretchen Treu, co-owner of A Room of Ones Own, phone interview, March 17, 2022, Audrey Kohler, senior bookseller at BookWoman, phone interview, March 17, 2022, Candise Branum, librarian at Gonzaga University, phone interview, March 17, 2022, Lee Steube, librarian at Upper Darby Township & Sellers Memorial Free Public Library in Pennsylvania, phone interview, March 17, 2022, Remy Timbrook, librarian at Oakland Public Library, phone interview, March 17, 2022, Kate Wilson, childrens book buyer at Unabridged Bookstore, phone interview, March 17, 2022, Emily Hersh, librarian at Navarro Early College High School, phone interview, March 17, 2022, Sarah Hollenbeck, co-owner of Women & Children First bookstore, phone interview, March 20, 2022, Katharine Milon, manager at Giovanni's Room Bookstore, phone interview, March 20, 2022, Nicole Champoux, head of school at Arbor Montessori school, email interview, March 29, 2022.