Favorite Trans, Nonbinary, and GNC Titles of 2021

by Jules Machias

This middle grade novel tells the story of two kids who are struggling to find their identity in more ways than one. Genderfluid Ash and “overly sensitive” Daniel are brought together by a senior dog named Chewbarka and discover more about themselves–and each other–than they could have imagined.

written by JR and Vanessa Ford; illustrated by Kayla Harren

Calvin has always known he’s a boy. When he finally tells his parents, he’s met with acceptance and love from them. But the first day of school is scarier– until he finally steps through the doors and finds his school to be more welcoming than he imagined.

by Gayle Forman

This middle grade story, set in 1987, is told from the perspective of a 10-year-old girl whose new friend turns out to be a transgender boy. The story focuses on themes of friendship, family, justice, and allyship, across lines of gender identity, sexual orientation, and racial/ethnic identity.

edited by Dr. Lindsay Herriot and Kate Fry

What does it mean to be young and transgender today? This book shares stories, essays, art, and poetry created by trans youth aged 11 to 18. In their own words, the works illustrate the trans experience through childhood, family and daily life, school, their bodies, and mental health.

written by Gail Marlene Schwartz and Lucie Gagnon; illustrations by Amélie Ayotte

In this story of family, friendship, and acceptance, the arrival of a new babysitter and her new puppy gives Simone the courage to come out to her family. 

by Keito Gaku

Written by a transgender manga creator, this series follows a young transgender teen, Ryo,  as he follows his passion for fashion to create things he never could have dreamed and find friends who accept him for who he is. Throughout this four-book series Ryo encounters and overcomes many obstacles, but most importantly he learns to be true to and to take pride in himself and his accomplishments. This series is completed and all four volumes are available at NYPL.

by Crystal Frasier; illustrated by Val Wise

Pressured to join the cheerleading squad, Annie reconnects with her former friend, BeBe. As they navigate training, cheer meets, and high school, can they navigate the feelings springing up between them?
 

by Mason Deaver

When Liam Cooper's older brother dies in a hit and run car accident, it feels like everything falls apart. Liam starts to struggle with his schoolwork, issues with their friend group, and his own grieving parents before finding a surprising source of comfort in their older brother's best friend.

by Isaac Fitzsimons

A teenage soccer star starting over at a new school finds love and courage as he takes the field to fight for his team and what he believes in. Balancing hope and honesty, this debut deftly handles multiple social themes, including racism, privilege, identity, and accessibility.
 

by H.E. Edgmon

To save a fae kingdom, a trans witch must face his traumatic past and the royal fiancé he left behind.
 

by Ryka Aoki

To reclaim her damned soul, a gifted but cursed violinist must take on seven students and try to entice each to trade their soul for fame while a starship captain races to stop the end of existence.

by Julia Kaye

My Life in Transition is a story that’s not often told about trans lives: what happens beyond the early days of transition. Both deeply personal and widely relatable, this collection illustrates six months of Julia's life as an out trans woman—about the beauty and pain, and the love and heartbreak that come with being transgender.
 

written by S. Bear Bergman; illustrated by Saul Freedman-Lawson

A gentle, witty, and insightful book of practical advice for the modern age. Special Topics in Being a Human offers Dad advice and Jewish bubbe wisdom, all filtered through a queer lens, to help you navigate some of the complexities of life—from how to make big decisions or make a good apology, to how to get someone's new name and pronouns right as quickly as possible, to how to gracefully navigate a breakup.

by Kayleb Rae Candrilli

This poetry collection is filled with quietly stunning revelations in simple language, plays on form, and love for another human being. The author writes from a post top-surgery recovery bed.

by C. L. Polk

With Soulstar, C. L. Polk concludes their riveting Kingston Cycle, a trilogy full of magic, political intrigue, and romances that began in their debut novel, Witchmark. Robin Thorpe is a witch who has been forced to hide her magic her entire life—but the world around her is changing and she is asked to help ensure a better future for all while being reunited with Zelind, her childhood love who she had lost to the witch asylums years ago. All three Kingston Cycle books can be found in the NYPL catalog.

by Rivers Solomon

In this slow-burn novel, Vern is a survivor, a runaway, an action hero, a keeper of dire secrets she doesn’t quite understand herself, a fierce mother, and one of the most memorable and resilient characters we’ve come across in a long time.

by C.L. Clark

A military fantasy set in a crumbling desert empire filled with espionage, rebellion, and assassinations.

by Victoria Lee

After returning to school where her girlfriend died, Felicity is asked by Ellis, a new student and award winning author, to consult on the writing of a book about the dark witchcraft history of the school. You will be left questioning what is real, what isn't, and what you know to be true.

by Xiran Jay Zhao

Seeking revenge for her murdered sister, Wu Zetian enlists in the military to pilot giant mechas only to unleash a dormant power within her and uncover a centuries-old lie soaked in the blood of innocent girls.

by Anna-Marie McLemore

Inspired by the story of the Snow Queen, this contemporary magical realism story focuses on two teens who are both sexually assaulted at the same high school party, but only one of them remembers it. Complete with magical baking, friendship, and trauma recovery.