EVERYONE WELCOME LGBTTQ LIBRARY RESOURCES: GRADE 7 TO 12

EVERYONE

WELCOME

LGBTTQ LIBRARY RESOURCES: GRADE 7 TO 12

the pink triangle and the rainbow flag. These two symbols have been adapted by the WSD into an inverted rainbow triangle and used divisionally in an approved “Everyone Welcome” poster for display in all schools in April 2016 to signify safe spaces.

The pink triangle was employed by the Nazis in World War II to identify homosexuals in concentration camps. The icon was reclaimed for the community as a symbol of empowerment and remembrance to those that suffered.

The rainbow flag was inspired by the Flag of the Races which had five stripes, each representing the colours of human kind. The six colours of the rainbow flag stand as a symbol of pride, diversity and unity of the LGBTTQ community: red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sun, green for nurture, blue for harmony and purple for spirit.

FICTION:

A+e 4ever

Merey, Illike. Lethe Press., 2011. ISBN: 9781590213902, (7-12).

Asher is a teenage boy with an agender face who seeks art as his only escape from an emotionally empty life. Eulalie is a lonely lesbian from school who befriends Asher and is the only one to see and accept all of Asher. Eulalie is starting to wonder if Asher will ever notice her. A graphic novel venturing into genderqueer life looking at crossroads where love and friendship, boy and girl, straight and gay meet.

About A Girl

McCarry, Sarah. UK General Books., 2013. ISBN: 9780007497980, (10-12).

Eighteen-year-old Tally is sure of her smarts, the love from her adoptive family, the loyalty of her best friend, and her future as an astronomer. There’s no room in her world for uncertainty or the mother who abandoned after she was born. Tally sets out on a quest to find a musician who may hold the key to her past. Instead Tally finds and falls in love with Maddy, the deeper she falls in love, the more Tally begins to realize that the universe is bigger and more complicated than she ever imagined.

Alex As Well

Brugman, Alyssa. Henry Holt and Co., 2015. ISBN: 9781627790147,

(10-12). Everyone thinks Alex is a boy, but for Alex it is not as simple as being either male or female. When Alex decides being a girl is closer to her identity, no one knows how to react including her parents. Alex creates a new identity for herself, enrolls in a new school and changes her look and wardrobe. Alex As Well is a story about being intersex, exploring gender and sexuality, navigating friendships, and finding a place to belong.

Almost Perfect

Katcher, Brian. Delacorte Books for Young Readers., 2009. ISBN: 9780385736640, (9-12).

Logan, a trans, high-school senior in Missouri town is attracted to Sage a new girl at school. To Logan’s shock, Sage was born male and is transitioning to become a female. More than anything, Logan worries that once Sage’s identity is revealed, people will think he is gay for being attracted to a boy. Sage attempts suicide, and Logan feels guilty about failing her. Unlike Sage’s brutal father, Logan accepts that Sage is female.

Annie on My Mind

Garden, Nancy. Square Fish., 2007.

ISBN: 9780374400118, (7-12). This story is of two teenage girls whose friendship blossoms into love and despite pressures from family and school that threaten their relationship, their promise to be true to each other and their feelings.

Anything Could Happen

Walton, Will. Push., 2015. ISBN: 9780545709545, (7-12).

A story about gay teen Richard and his straight best friend/crush Matt. Readers experience Richard’s emotions and the warmth of his close-knit extended family. Over the course of one eventful winter break, Richard goes from bullied, closeted, and secretive about his love of dance to out, proud, reconciled with his former tormentor, and rocking out on the dance floor.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Saena, Benjamin Alire. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers., 2012.

ISBN: 9781442408920, (9-12).

When Aristotle and Dante meet in the summer of 1987, they are 15-year-olds existing in “the universe between boys and men.” The two are opposites in most ways: Dante is sure of his place in the world, while Ari feels he may never know who he is. Family and identity issues are the main focus, while the heart of the novel is Dante’s openness about his homosexuality and Ari’s suppression of his.

Beautiful Music for Ugly Children

Cronn-Mills, Kristin. Flux., 2012. ISBN: 9780738732510, (9-12).

Gabe is really Liz, born a female he is cautiously beginning his transition to male. Only his parents and his lifelong best friend Paige know. A girl at school discovers the truth and outs Gabe making life difficult for Gabe. In the meantime, Gabe is a part-time DJ on the local community radio station, where his show is fast becoming an underground hit.

Being Emily

Gold, Rachel. Bella Books., 2012. ISBN: 9781594932830, (7-10).

The novel tells a year-in-the-life story about Emily who was born Christopher. The story unfolds during one of the most crucial years of Emily’s life - the year pretending to be Christopher reaches a turning point.

Bleeding Earth

Ward, Katilin. Adaptive Books., 2016. ISBN: 9780986448485, (10-12).

Readers meet Lea, a confident teenage girl who wants to hang out with her friends and spend quality time with her new girlfriend. The Earth begins to ooze blood and Lea’s hometown becomes a war zone, with citizens fighting over fresh water and food rations. Lea becomes more concerned with her dwindling faith in humanity and her declining mental state. Readers looking for the next LGBT heroine will love Lea’s strong-willed attitude.

The Book of David

Anonymous. Simon Pulse., 2014. ISBN: 9781442489868, (9-12).

David is an all-star football player, he has a cheerleader girlfriend and a best friend, Tyler, who also plays football. Jon, the new kid at school befriends David through a series of events. David struggles with feelings David and doesn’t know how to interpret them. The narrative gives readers insight into the confusing world of sexual identity and acceptance.

Boy In The Dress

Walliams, David., Penguin Books., 2009. ISBN: 9780007279036,

(5-8). This story gives voice to the gender fluid children who want to be themselves.

Boy Meets Boy

Levithan, David. Ember., 2005. ISBN: 9780375832994, (7-12).

15-year-old Paul has known he was gay since kindergarten, but Paul lives in a town where it is not acceptable to be gay. The story follows Paul and his friends on a journey of friendship, self-discovery, and acceptance.

Brooklyn, Burning

Brezenoff, Steve. Lerner Publishing Group., ISBN: 9780761375265, (9-12). Kid has been living on the streets of Brooklyn for over a year, enduring strength, sadness, love and loss. Kid’s parents cannot seem to accept Kid’s lifestyle and Kid turns to many people looking for fulfillment that cannot be found at home. Themes: painful family relationships, love, friendship, and identity.

Becoming Nicole: The Transformation of an American Family

Nutt, Amy Ellis. Random House., 2015. ISBN: 9780812995411, (7-12).

When the Maines adopted identical twin boys, they thought their lives were complete, but soon they noticed a difference between Jonas and Wyatt. Jonas preferred sports and trucks but Wyatt liked princess dolls, dress-up and playing Little Mermaid. By the time the twins were toddlers, confusion over Wyatt’s insistence that he was female began to tear the family apart. In the years that followed, the Maines’ questioned their views on gender and identity, to accept and embrace Wyatt’s transition to Nicole which would change their lives forever.

Cinnamon Toast and the End of the World

Cameron, Janet E. Hachette Ireland., 2014. ISBN: 9781444743975, (7-12).

A story told from Stephen’s point of view, a

teenage boy struggling to accept his sexuality and his love for his best friend Mark.

Every Day

Levithan, David. Knopf Books for Young Readers., 2012. ISBN: 9780307931887, (9-12).

Every day a different body and a different life and falling in love with the same girl. A has made peace with his life and has established guidelines to live: never get attached and avoid being noticed. One morning A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets his girlfriend, Rhiannon. A and Rhiannon seek to discover if love can exist with someone who is destined to change every day.

Fan Art

Tregay, Sarah. Katherine Tegen Books., 2014. ISBN: 9780062243157, (7-10).

Jamie has fallen for his best friend Mason and is worried that his feelings may ruin their friendship. Fan Art explores the joys and pains of friendship, of pressing boundaries, and how facing our worst fears can sometimes lead us to what we want most.

Fans of the Impossible Life

Scelsa, Kate. Balzer + Bray., 2015. ISBN: 9780062331755, (9-12).

A story of three misfits who manage to find each other and provide each other strength and friendship. Jeremy, Mira, and Sebby each tell their stories within rotating chapters. They come to depend on each other for their emotional stability until things go wrong for one of them.

Far From You

Sharpe, Tess. Disney-Hyperion., 2014. ISBN: 9781423184621, (9-12).

Sophie has lived many tragedies including the loss of her friend and lover Mina. For Sophie, love is about the person not the gender. This book explores homosexuality, love, tragedy, mystery and desperation.

The Five Stages of Andrew Brawley

Hutchinson, Shaun. Simon Pulse., ISBN: 9781481403108, (8-12).

A story about a boy who has lost everything but finds hope in the shadows of a hospital. Andrew was supposed to die the same night the rest of his family did. Now he lives in the hospital sleeping in a forgotten supply closet. One night Rusty is wheeled into the ER because half of his body was burned by hateful classmates. Rusty’s agony is inspiration for Drew, pulling them together through their pain and grief. To save Rusty, Drew has to confront life and death and life might get worse before it gets better.

Freakboy

Clark, Kristin Elizabeth. Farrar, Straus and Giroux., 2013., ISBN: 9780374324728, (7-12).

From the outside, Brendan Chase seems to have it easy, he is a star wrestler, a video game player, and a loving boyfriend to Vanessa. But on the inside, Brendan struggles to understand why his body feels so wrong and why he fantasizes about having long hair, soft skin, and gentle curves. Is there even a name for guys like him, guys who sometimes want to be girls? Or is Brendan just a freak? Freakboy tackles the gender spectrum while folding three narratives into one story.

Geography Club

Hartinger, Brent. Tween Press., 2003. ISBN: 9780060012212, (10-12).

Russel is a student at Goodkind High School and has a secret crush on a baseball jock Kevin. The boys become friendly outside of school and set up the “Geography Club” with three other gay students. The club members relish the opportunity to discuss their lives and to relate to one another openly and honestly. Eventually, peer pressure and insecurity take their toll and Russel’s relationship with Kevin ends. The “Geography Club” becomes the “Goodkind High School Gay-Straight-Bisexual Alliance” and the Russel gains new insight into himself and his place in the world.

George

Gino, Alex. Scholastic Press., 2015. ISBN: 9780545812542, (7-9).

When people look at George they see a boy, but George is a girl. George 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. George really wants to play Charlotte but the teacher says she can’t try out for the part because she’s a boy. With the help of her best friend, George comes up with a plan not just to play Charlotte, but for everyone to know who she is.

Grl2grl

Peters, Julie Anne. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers., 2007.

ISBN: 9780316013437, (10-12).

In this short story collection, queer young women are portrayed as they navigate the hurdles of relationships and sexual identity. A young lesbian takes her first steps towards coming out, two strangers lock eyes across a crowded train, a transgender teen longs for a sense of self, and a girl whose abusive father has turned her to stone. Grl2grl shows the rawness of teenage emotion as young girls become women and begin to discover the intricacies of love, dating and sexuality.

Honey Girl

Freeman, Lisa. Sky Pony Press., 2015. ISBN: 9781632204257, (9-12).

In 1972, fiteen-year-old Haunani “Nani” is transplanted from her home in Hawaii to Santa Monica, California after her father’s fatal heart attack. Nani struggles to adjust to her new life with her alcoholic white mother and the mean girls who rule State Beach. Following the rules an unspoken list of dos and dont’s, Nani makes contact with Rox the leader. Through a series of initiations Nani is accepted into the group, gains attention from the surf god Nigel McBride but battles with being in love with Rox.

Hold Me Closer: The Tiny Cooper Story

Levithan, David. Dutton Books for Young Readers., 2015. ISBN: 9780525428848, (10-12).

Tiny Cooper was born “big-boned and happily gay” and accepted by his parents. Tiny suffers no angst over his sexual orientation, despite having to contend with school bullies and a homophobic coach. Phil, his straight best friend offers advice through Tiny’s unsuccessful relationships with different boyfriends. Tiny realizes that love is painful but worth it.

I Am J

Beam, Chris. Little, Brown Books for Young

Readers., 2011. ISBN-13: 978-0316053617E, (9-12). J always felt different and he was certain that everyone would understand that he was a boy mistakenly born as a girl. As he grew up, his body began to betray him and eventually J started covering up his body, keeping himself invisible from his parents, friends and the world. After being deserted by his best friend, J decides that he’s done hiding and that it is time to be himself.

Kissing Kate

Myracle, Lauren. 2009. Speak., ISBN: 9781439590621, (9-12).

Lissa kissed her best friend Kate and since the event Kate has been cold to Lissa. This leaves Lissa feeling hurt and confused with frequent flashbacks to the girls’ blissful, pre-kiss days. At first Lissa misses Kate but finds the strength to confront Kate and her own sexual identity.

The Miseducation of Cameron Post

Danforth, Emily M. Balzer + Bray., 2012. ISBN: 9780062020567, (9-12).

Cameron feels a mix of guilt and relief when her parents die in a car accident because their deaths mean they will never learn the truth that she’s gay. Cameron move in with her old-fashioned grandmother and conservative aunt Ruth. She falls in love with her new best friend and is eventually outed. Her aunt sends her to religious conversion camp to “cure” her homosexuality. At the camp, Cameron comes face to face with the cost of denying her true identity.

The Misfits

Howe, James. Atheneum Books for Young Readers., 2003. ISBN: 9780689839566, (7-9).

Four best friends try to survive seventh grade through issues including: weight, height, intelligence and sexual orientation/gender expression.

The characters are self-empowered agents of change. (The first book in The Misfits series.)

Moon at Nine

Ellis., Deborah. Pajama Press., 2014. ISBN: 9781927485590, (9-12).

Fifteen-year-old Farrin has grown up with secrets: ten years after the overthrow of the Shah, her mother is working against Iran’s conservative revolutionary government. When Farrin befriends Sadira the intriguing and outgoing new student at her school for gifted girls, her own new secret is even more dangerous. The girls discover their relationship is more than just a friendship and in Iran being gay is punishable by death. This book is based on interviews with Farrin whom was forced to flee Iran because of her sexual orientation.

More Happy Than Not

Silvera, Adam. Soho Teen Press., 2015. ISBN: 9781616955601, (9-12).

In the months after Aaron’s father’s suicide he has a tough time finding happiness again. When his girlfriend Genevieve leaves for a couple of weeks, Aaron spends his time with the new guy Thomas. Aaron has found happiness with Thomas despite the tensions their friendship has caused with his girlfriend and friends. Since Aaron can’t stay away from Thomas or turn off his new feelings, Aaron considers a revolutionary memory-alteration procedure to straighten himself out, even if it means forgetting his true identity. 

None of the Above

Gregoria, I. W. Balzer + Bray., 2015. ISBN: 9780062335319, (9-12).

Kristin is voted homecoming queen, she is a champion hurdler with a full scholarship to college and she’s madly in love with her boyfriend. Another student discovers Kristin is intersex and the secret is revealed to the entire school. This novel that explores what it means to be a boy, a girl, or something in between.

Not Otherwise Specified

Moskovitz, Hannah. Simon Pulse., 2015. ISBN: 9781481405966, (9-12).

Etta is tired of dealing with the labels in her Nebraska hometown, everywhere she turns she does not fit in. She is not gay enough for the Dykes and she is not tiny and white enough for ballet. Etta doesn’t fit anywhere, until she meets Bianca the straight, white, Christian girl in Etta’s therapy group. Both girls are auditioning for a prestigious New York theater academy. Bianca might be Etta’s salvation, but can

Etta be saved by a girl who needs saving herself?

One in Every Crowd

Coyote, Ivan E. Arsenal Pulp Press., 2012. ISBN: 9781551524597, (7-12).

An anti-bullying story written for anyone who has ever felt different or alone in their struggles to be true to themselves. A collection of stories drawn from Ivan’s life about growing up, fitting in or not fitting in, fairness and courage, bullying and standing up to bullies, pain and loneliness, falling in love, and mostly about accepting and honoring differences.

One Man Guy

Barakiva, Michael. Farrar, Straus and Giroux ., 2014. ISBN: 9780374356453, (7-10).

Fourteen-year-old Alek is horrified when his parents announce that he will be going to summer school to get him on track for school. This means no relaxation, no time with friends, no tennis camp, and no family vacation. He starts summer school and has his spirits lifted when he befriends Ethan. Before long, their friendship deepens into a romance.

Openly Straight

Konigsberg, Bill. Arthur A. Levine Books., 2013. ISBN: 9780545509893, (9-12).

Rafe is gay but hopes no one will notice at his new all-boys high school in New England. Back home in Boulder, his progressive and understanding parents championed his coming out in the eighth grade. Since then, Rafe has been unable to escape being the poster boy for Gay Pride. Tired of labels he hides his true self in order to fit in and be just one of the guys. For a while it works and he plays football, pals around with the jocks, and blends in with the guys. His best friend back home is furious with him and things really get complicated when he falls in love with Ben. In the end, Rafe comes out of the closet for a second time, creating some new friendships and the loss of some others.

Parrotfish

Whittlinger, Ellen. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers., 2007.

ISBN: 9781416916222, (7-12).

Angela has never felt quite right as a girl, but it’s a shock to everyone when she cuts her hair short, buys men’s clothes, and announces she’d like to be called Grady. Although Grady is happy about his decision to finally be true to himself, everybody else is having trouble processing the news. Grady’s parents act hurt, his sister is mortified, and his best friend Eve won’t acknowledge his existence. Which locker room is he supposed to use for gym class? Grady becomes the victim of cruel jokes, all the while he finds unexpected allies.

Personal Effects

Kokie, E. M. Candlewick., 2012. ISBN: 9780763655273, (7-12).

Ever since his brother T.J. was killed in Iraq, Matt feels like he’s been sleepwalking through life, failing classes, getting into fights, and avoiding his dad’s lectures about following in his brother’s footsteps. Matt can’t shake his brother’s death and wants to go through T.J.’s belongings from Iraq. As Matt searches for answers about T.J.’s death, he faces a shocking revelation. What he learns challenges him to stand up to his father, honour his brother’s memory, and take charge of his own life.

Promposal

Helms, Rhonda. Simon Pulse ., 2015. ISBN: 9781481422321, (9-12).

Camilla’s Ohio high school has a tradition in which boys ask girls to the annual prom via elaborate scenarios. She is mortified when Zach approaches her wearing a tux and accompanied by a film crew documenting his promposal. Camilla agrees even though she’s not fond of Zach and wishes his cousin Benjamin would have asked her first. In class, Camilla and Benjamin are assigned to work together. Meanwhile, Camilla’s gay best friend Joshua wants to ask Ethan to the prom, but Ethan asks Joshua for help in planning a promposal to another young man.

Shadowplay

Lam, Laura. Strange Chemistry., 2013. ISBN: 9781908844392, (7-12).

Micah Grey almost died when he fled the circus with Drystan but with the help of Drystan’s old friend Jasper a once-renowned magician, they have somewhere to stay. When Jasper agrees to take them in, Jasper is challenged to a high stakes dual with an arch-nemesis. Micah must perfect his skills of illusion, while navigating a new love. As a duel draws near, Micah increasingly suffers from visions showing him real magic and future terrors. Can Micah’s powers influence this deadly pattern?

She Loves You, She Loves You Not

Peters, Julie Anne. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers., 2012. ISBN: 9780316078757, (9-12). Seventeen-year-old Alyssa was happy with her family, her friends and her girlfriend Sarah. They dreamed about moving away, living out and being accepted for themselves. Alyssa’s father disowns her and forces Alyssa to move hundreds of miles away to live with her biological mother. Alyssa struggles to forget her past and come to terms with her future. Will she be able to build a new life for herself and believe in love again?

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

Albertalli, Becky. Balzer + Bray., 2015. ISBN: 9780062348678, (8-12).

Simon walks away from his computer at school for a moment, and his biggest secret is discovered. He has been emailing a boy in his grade anonymously ever since a poetic waxing on his high school’s gossip Tumblr caught his eye. Now Martin has taken a screenshot and has a powerful way to blackmail Simon into getting helping Martin date Abby.

Skim

Tamaki, Mariko & Jillian Tamaki. Groundwood Books., 2008. ISBN: 9780888997531, (10-12). Kimberley or “Skim” is a gothic girl at an all-girls school in Toronto. She is an articulate teenager, an outsider yearning for some form of acceptance. She begins a fanciful romance with her English teacher, Ms. Archer, while nursing her best friend through a period of mourning.

Some Assembly Required: The Not-So-Secret Life of a Transgender Teen

Andrews Arin and Joshua Lyon. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers., 2014.

ISBN: 9781481416757, (9-12).

A female-born, transgender teen describes the challenges presented by his transition. Andrews was always pleased to be called a tomboy as a child, while his mother insisted he wear dresses and take part in pageants. Andrew’s relationship with his first girlfriend, a lesbian, helped him become aware of gender fluidity and sexuality. However, his mother saw his girlfriend as a terrible influence and banned their relationship. Andrew struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts. Andrew began the journey toward transition and new identity with inspiration from a YouTube video about being transgender.

Tomboy: A Graphic Memoir

Prince, Liz. Zest Books., 2014. ISBN: 9781936976553, (9-12).

Growing up Liz did not fit in as a girl or as a guy, she was somewhere in the middle, Tomboy is the story of her struggle to find the place where she belonged. A memoir told anecdotally, Tomboy follows author and artist Liz through her early childhood into adulthood and explores her struggles and wishes regarding what it means to be a girl.

Totally Joe

Howe James. Atheneum Books for Young Readers., 2007. ISBN: 9780689839580, (7-9).

Joe’s teacher asks his seventh-grade class to write an alphabiography throughout the year, presenting themselves and their lives in entries from A to Z. Joe’s essays begin and end with friends, from Addie a long-time pal and confidant, to Zachary a new student with a unique approach to life. Throughout the assignment, Joe demonstrates he is a one-of-a-kind, comfortable with himself but still struggling with common adolescent issues. As he realizes he is gay, he questions gender expectations and traditional roles.

Two Boys Kissing

Levithan, David. Knopf Books for Young Readers., 2013. ISBN: 9780307931900, (7-12).

Harry and Craig are seventeen-year-olds taking part in a 32-hour kissing marathon to set a new Guinness World Record. While the two increasingly dehydrated and sleep-deprived boys are locking lips, they become a focal point in the lives of other teens dealing with universal questions of love, identity, and belonging.

Unspeakable

Rushton, Abbie. Atom., 2015. ISBN: 9780349002064, (7-12).

Megan hasn’t spoken since her best friend Hana died in an accident seven months ago. She’s bullied by her former friends, Luke seems to be her only friend until she meets Jasmine and they become best friends. Jasmine starts receiving threatening letters and danger seems closer than ever.

What We Left Behind

Talley, Robin. Harlequin Teen., 2015. ISBN: 9780373211753, (8-12).

Toni and Gretchen are the couple everyone envied in high school. When they separate for their first year at college, Toni attends Harvard and Gretchen attends NYU. Toni identifies as genderqueer and meets a group of transgender upperclassmen and finds a sense of belonging. Gretchen struggles to remember who she is outside their relationship.  While Toni worries that Gretchen won’t understand his new world, Gretchen begins to wonder where she fits in the puzzle. As distance and Toni’s shifting gender identity begin to wear on their relationship, the couple must decide, have they grown apart for good, or is love enough to keep them together?

Will Grayson, Will Grayson

Green, John and David Levithan. Speak., 2011. ISBN: 9780142418475, (9-12).

Will’s best friend Tiny is the “world’s largest person who is really gay.” Tiny has been through many short-lived romantic relationships and Will has supported him. Another teen named Will Grayson arrives in town who is sad and depressed, and captures Tiny’s heart. Told in alternating chapters from each Will Grayson’s point of view.

Willful Machines

Floreen, Tim. Simon Pulse., 2015. ISBN13: 9781481432771, (9-12).

Lee is the closeted son of a conservative president and must keep a new romance with Nico secret from his father. At the same time he must protect himself from a computer program Charlotte that is terrorizing the United States. Attacks start happening at Lee’s school and he realizes Charlotte’s next target is Nico and himself. Lee discovers a new understanding of what it means to be alive and what makes life worth living.

Being Jazz:

My Life as a (Transgender) Teen

Jennings, Jazz. Crown Books for Young Readers., 2016. ISBN: 9780399554643 (7-12).

Auto Biography of Jazz Jennings, one of the youngest and most prominent voices in the national discussion about gender identity. At the age of five, Jazz transitioned to life as a girl with the support of her parents. A year later, her parents allowed her to share her journey in an interview with Barbara Walters, aired at a time when the public was less knowledgeable or accepting of the transgender community. The auto-biography is about her life as a transgender teenager.

Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out

Kuklin, Susan. Candlewick., 2014. ISBN: 9780763656119 (9-12).

The strength and honesty of six transgender teens stand out as their stories are told. Each story tells a complex personal tale of realization, coming out, communication with family and friends, struggles, and triumph through adversity. They talk about bullying, mental health, clinical history, and problems with family and friends.

Dance of the Wiindigo and

Nanaboozhou: An Indigenous Journey through Hatred and Violence

Berglund, Madeleine. Metis Women’s Circle Ltd., 2011. ISBN: 9780973580518 (9-12).

A collection of First Nations people’s responses to the question of what is hatred, violence and racism within their worldview. The book provides traditional teachings from Elders, activists, teachers and wisdom keepers of various Indigenous nations. The seven chapters are based on the seven teachings of the Anishinabe tradition.

Jazz Mergirl: The True Story of Jazz Jennings, a Transgender Girl Born in a Boy’s Body

Bruce Elden Ed. Create Space Independent Publishing Platform., 2015

ISBN: 9781515328261. (7-12).

The true story of a girl born inside a boy’s body and the road to transition into the teen she is today. Jazz wants to teach those who are “less understanding” to become more accepting of “unique and special people,” and encourage the kids who are different to accept and love themselves.

The GENDER book

Mel Reiff Hill, Jay Mays & Robin Mack. Marshall House Press., 2013. ISBN: 9780991338009, (7-12). This book explains the complexities of gender in today’s society in a simple and accessible way. The GENDER book starts with basics like gender roles and moves to explain the difference between gender and sex, gender perception, pronounce and language and transgender/gender queer identities. The illustrations make it a great resource about gender and include the online trans community’s ideas.

Genderqueer: And Other Gender Identities.

Naz, David. Rare Bird Books., 2014. ISBN: 9781940207261. (7-12).

Genderqueer explores the gender spectrum by turning the camera on subjects that are genderqueer, transgender, intersex, pangender.

The Gender Quest Workbook: A Guide for Teens and Young Adults Exploring Gender Identity

Testa, Ryan Jay. Instant Help., 2015. ISBN: 9781626252974. (7-12).

The Gender Quest Workbook incorporates skills, exercises, and activities to help address the range of struggles possibly related to gender identity including anxiety, isolation, fear, and depression. This workbook is designed for teens to explore concepts such as gender, gender identity and expression through an internal, interpersonal and cultural lens.

GLBTQ: The Survival Guide for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Teens

Huegal, Kelly. Free Spirit Publishing., 2011. ISBN: 781575423630, (9-12).

A resource for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning teens while providing a

contemporary look at society and its growing acceptance of people who are GLBTQ. Included are efforts to promote equality, the current status of legislative initiatives concerning safe schools, gay marriage, workplace equality, transgender expression, and Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Issues-based information and advice address coming out, prejudice, getting support, staying safe, making healthy choices, and thriving in school.

Indigenous Men and Masculinities: Legacies, Identities, Regeneration

Cariou, Warren et al. University of Manitoba Press., 2015., ISBN: 9780887557903, (9-12).

Sixteen essays are explore about the complex and diverse experiences of Indigenous men who assert Indigenous masculine identities. Contemporary Indigenous masculinity has been influenced by the racial and gender biases rooted in colonial policies and structures that have disrupted traditional roles and distanced Indigenous men from their families and communities, whether through disempowering traditional forms of governance, residential schools, incarceration, or other means of dislocation. The essays illustrate the ways that some Indigenous men are caught up in this cycle of dysfunction, violence, and living up to or even defending false stereotypes, but also how others are building on cultural

foundations that point toward the decolonization and healthy expression of Indigenous masculine identities.

The Letter Q: Queer Writers’ Notes to Their Younger Selves

Moon. Sarah., Scholastic. Inc., 2012. ISBN: 9780545399326, (7-12).

The authors make imaginative journeys into their pasts, telling their younger selves what they would have liked to know then about their lives as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender people.

Powwow

Clyde Ellis. Ed. Bison Books., 2005., ISBN: 9780803267558, (9-12).

Powwow begins with an exploration of the history and significance of powwows, ranging from the Hochunk dances of the early twentieth century, present-day Southern Cheyenne gatherings and contemporary powwow circuits of the northern plains. Contributors discuss the powwow’s performative and cultural dimensions, including emcees, song and dance, the expression of traditional values, and the Powwow Princess. The final section examines how powwow practices have been appropriated and transformed during the past few decades. Of special note is the use of powwows by Two Spirit people and communities.

Queer: The Ultimate LGBT Guide for Teens

Belge, Kathy & Marke Bieschke. Zest Books., 2011. ISBN: 9780981973340, (9-12).

Queer is a humorous, engaging, and honest guide that helps LGBT teens come out to friends and family, navigate their new social life and rise up against bigotry and homophobia. Queer also includes personal stories from the authors and sidebars on queer history.

Rethinking Normal: A Memoir in Transition

Katie, Rain. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers., 2014. ISBN: 9781481418232, (7-12). Katie realized very young that she was a girl who born in a boy’s body. Suffocating from bullying and being “normal” Katie tried to take her life at the age of eight years old. After several failed attempts, she finally understood that “Katie, the girl trapped within was determined to live. In her unique, generous, and affecting voice, nineteen-year-old Katie shares her personal journey of transition.

Transgender: The Transgender Mirror Effect

Hamilton, Jessica. Create Space Independent Publishing Platform., 2015. ISBN: 9781508978657, (9-12).

The Transgender Mirror Effect discusses transgender identities and behaviour, terminology, difference between gender and sexuality, gender identity development, the mirror effect, transitioning and more.

What If? Answers to Questions About What It Means to Be Gay and Lesbian

Marcus. Eric. Simon Pulse., 2013. ISBN: 9781442482982, (7-10).

A question-and-answer book that covers topics such as sexual feelings, dating, sex, marriage, religion, activism, and discrimination.