A Fine Bromance - A Trans Teen and an Asexual Teen navigate friendship, identities, and a mystery

A Fine Bromance by Christopher Hawthorne Moss

Robby is a senior in high school when he meets new student Andy. Robby's never experienced sexual attraction, and while that doesn't change, something about Andy makes him feel relaxed, and it turns out they have a lot in common. Neither of them fits in very well, and Robby soon learns through the school's bullies that Andy is a transboy. Sticking together makes life better for both of them.

Then some of Robby's Aunt Ivy's jewelry turns up missing, and Robby and Andy must investigate to discover who's to blame.

Add your review of "A Fine Bromance" in comments!

Transitions of the Heart: Stories of Love, Struggle and Acceptance by Mothers of Transgender and Gender Variant Children

Transitions of the Heart: Stories of Love, Struggle and Acceptance by Mothers of Transgender and Gender Variant Children, Edited by Rachel Pepper

Transitions of the Heart is the first collection to invite mothers of transgender and gender variant children to tell their own stories. Often "transitioning" socially and emotionally alongside their children, parents have their own parallel process to work through, and few resources to depend on. Editor Rachel Pepper has gathered voices of women from all walks of life, with children ranging in age from six to sixty, to share their experiences. These mothers have learned how to advocate for their children and themselves. By speaking out here, they are blazing a brave trail for others to follow.

Check out this very powerful excerpt at advocate.com, in which Tracie Stratton, a mother whose fourth child is transgender, talks about her and her child's journeys.

It includes these quotes 

One of Izzy’s first sentences, even before she was two, was, “Me a boy, Mama.”

"And I did have moments of really missing my daughter Isabelle, who in reality was never there. I always had the same child. Where was my mind? How could I miss a little girl who was never a little girl?"

"I think parents of trans kids are the best parents ever. They unconditionally love their children, even when they don’t completely understand what their child is going through. So, my advice to other parents is really just to love their child, no matter what, and to stay strong. This is not about you or your religion and beliefs; it’s about your child. And get a great therapist, and an even better lawyer. Never let anyone question you. If your child is happy and a nice person, then you are doing the right thing."

Have you read it?  Add your review in comments!

And thanks to my husband for letting me know about this book!

A great new review site for Transgender Teen Book reviews - Jack Radish on PrettyQueer.com

The more people talking about queer teen books, the better.  And Jack's reviews of Transgender teen fiction and nonfiction, a new series over at prettyqueer.com, are awesome.

Jack's studying to be a teen services librarian, reads this blog, and I'm thrilled he got in touch to let me know what he's up to online.

Check out his reviews so far:

Hello Cruel World by Kate Bornstein

I am J by Cris Beam

Almost Perfect by Brian Katcher

Luna by Julie Anne Peters

Parrotfish by Ellen Wittlinger

I've gone ahead and bookmarked Jack's reviews, and hope you check them out, too.

Namaste,
Lee

I am J - a Transgender Teen (FTM, Female To Male) Novel

By Cris Beam

J always felt like a boy mistakenly born as a girl. And up until puberty, he'd pray to wake up as a real boy. But then his body started to betray him, and he just tried to be invisible.

But now he's almost 18, and after his best friend deserts him, he decides he's done hiding. It's time.

Time to transition to male.

Time to start at a school for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth.

Time to begin therapy so he can be approved for testosterone injections.

It's time to be who he really is.


Add your review of "I am J" in comments!

Debbie Harry Sings In French - A Novel About A Straight Teen Guy Who Dresses Like A Girl Rock Star

By Meagan Brothers

Johnny's 17, and fresh out of rehab for drinking.

He's sent to live with his uncle, and starts to attend a prep school where his goth look makes him an outcast as everyone assumes he's gay.

He discovers Debbie Harry, and is fascinated by the singer's mix of tough and beautiful. He sort of wants to BE her.

Johnny bonds over music and being an outcast with Maria, and as their relationship grows, Maria encourages him to dress up and perform as Debbie Harry in a drag contest.


Add your review of "Debbie Harry Sings In French" in comments!

F2M: The Boy Within - A Transgender (FTM, Female To Male) Teen Novel

By Hazel Edwards and Ryan Kennedy

18 year old Skye plays in an all-girl punk band, The Chronic Cramps. And she is just coming out as someone who feels that inside... she's a guy. As a transgender FTM (female to male) teen, Skye starts transitioning into Finn.

With help from friends and family, Finn goes public about his transition as he makes his way and his name in the punk music scene.


This book has been nominated for the 23rd Annual Lambda Literary Awards, and I thought it was really interesting that Ryan, one of the authors, experienced gender reassignment from female to male himself. Add your review of "F2M: The Boy Within" in comments!

Circle Of Change - A Gay and Transgender (FTM) Teen Book

By Laney Cairo

Kim is 17 and it's his last year in high school. Gay and also transgender (ftm), he's lost and unhappy in his female body, and his mother has agreed that it's time for him to start hormone therapy towards transitioning.

Then Kim meets Dash, a university student, and sparks fly. They start going out, but when Kim reveals that he's transgender, Dash reacts badly.

With everything else going on in their lives, will Kim and Dash be able to try again and find happiness with each other?

Interestingly, this is the first book featured on this site that is not available in print, but rather is only available as an e-book through its publisher and on Kindle. Add your review of "Circle of Change" in comments!

The End: Five Queer Kids Save The World

By Nora Olsen

Time Travel.

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Teen Heroes.

Saving the World...

Here's the author talking about her debut novel:





Congratulations, Nora! It's exciting when a devoted reader of this blogsite becomes one of our featured authors!

And add your review of "The End" in comments!

Jumpstart The World - A Teen Transgender Novel

by Catherine Ryan Hyde

Elle's on her own - at 15 she has to move into her own apartment because her mom's boyfriend can't deal with her.

She meets her neighbor Frank - he's older, and has a girlfriend.

Frank is different than any guy she's ever met. He listens to her. He's gentle. And Elle's falling in love with him.

But then Elle finds out that Frank is transgender.

It changes everything she thought she knew about herself. It changes everything she thought she knew about friendship. It changes everything she thought she knew about the world.

And now Elle has to figure out: Just how powerful is love?


"Jumpstart The World" releases officially today! Check out Daisy Porter's great review of over at Queer YA: Fiction for LGTBQ Teens. And drop in on Catherine's remarkable 26 stop blog book tour!

And of course, please add your review here in comments!

London Reign

by A.C. Britt

London's 16.

And he has enough to deal with just surviving on the urban streets of Boston and Detroit, trying to find love and make a life. But he does have a secret that takes his battles to a whole new level.

He was actually born a girl.


Add your review of "London Reign" in comments!

Almost Perfect

By Brian Katcher

Logan just broke up with his girlfriend of three years. She cheated on him. So when this new girl comes to his high school, Logan finds he's pretty interested in her.

Her name is Sage. She's mysterious. Attractive.

And when Logan kisses her, he discovers Sage is...

a boy!

transgender!

and maybe even, a girl he still likes?


Thanks to blog readers Shirley and Misty for making sure I knew about this new Transgender Teen book! Add your review of "Almost Perfect" in comments!