Experts Tell Us the Best Transgender Books For Middle School

This book tells the story of 12 year old sixth grader Shane who presents as a cis boy in school but is grappling with being trans amidst his family dynamics. A well-written story that at times shows a typical teen dealing with everyday issues, while experiencing a wide range of reactions as he navigates school as an outed trans male. Recommended by Jill Soloway, the award-winning creator of *Transparent*.

Told in first person narrative by an introverted sixth grader who comes into her own as a transgender girl, this book offers an window into the intimate thoughts and self-identity struggles of likeable Grayson. Written by a middle school teacher, the book speaks directly to middle school experiences along with the journey of a trans pre-teen.

This book is true to its title and offers support to trans and nonbinary teens. Written by trans youth activists, it is very open and frank, while being humorous and light, which are great qualities for a book to appeal to middle schoolers. Five star Amazon rating and also recommended for parents and other adults supporting students.

Middle schoolers gravitate towards Japanese manga, so this series that starts with two fifth graders exploring their gender identity and expression and continues through their journey towards high school, is an excellent resource to explore many aspects of LGBTQA+ experience at a careful and slow pace.

These original poems, essays, and stories by teens allow middle schoolers to dip into exploring a variety of gender identities and expressions in the context of everyday experiences faced by teens.

Fruit is the story of 13 year old Peter who, on reaching puberty, starts experiencing some ‘unusual’ bodily changes and social developments. Not everyone’s nipples start talking to them, but Peter’s do. And, in this last year of middle school, Peter struggles with defining friendships, family dynamics, self-identity, and his sexuality. This book does contain some sexual content, and would be appropriate for mature middle school aged kids, young adults, and adults too. Reading it as an adult offered some interesting insights into the pre-teen mind and thought patterns. It was also a good reminder of why kids sometimes do and think the things they do.

This book includes meditations, positive thinking, affirmations, self-esteem practices, calming techniques and physical exercise routines. Together these help make a child’s day more fulfilling and harmonious. Created for adults and children for a great interacting experience.

Book 5 in my middle school Resilience Group series focuses on a FTM transgender student and his struggles with his family after they don’t accept him. This is part of a larger series focusing on kids with childhood trauma and coping strategies.

Serial novels are great for middle schoolers, because the books give them something positive to latch onto and fill their time with that’s not a television, phone, or other electronic. I love this series because it takes a familiar trope – that of the superhero – and connects that trope to the morphing bodies of not only teenagers in general, but also to specifically transgender and non-binary teens.

This book helps anyone become master of their own beauty routine! From learning the skincare basics to dramatic glamour, Be Your Own Makeup Artist transcends gender, age and ethnicity. This full-color guidebook is designed from the private lessons of international makeup artist and beauty coach, Natalie Setareh. Buying the book also allows readers access to Natalie and other readers through a private Facebook group where readers share their experiences, thoughts and beauty secrets.