Our Picks for
Trans Young Adult Fiction

The National Center for Transgender Equality estimates there are between 750,000 and 3 million transgender people in the U.S. And as Barbara Walters showed recently in a 20/20 story last spring, questioning one's gender identity can begin at a very young age. With that in mind, we pulled together some literary inspiration worth passing on to the inquisitive teenager in your life.

Luna by Julie Anne Peters (Little, Brown; 2004)

For years Liam secretly transforms himself into Luna each night with the help of his sister's clothes and makeup. As he yearns to reveal his nighttime identity, his sister Regan finds it more difficult to keep Luna a secret with each passing day. Are Liam's family and friends ready to accept Luna into their lives? Julie Anne Peters's well-received novel was a 2004 finalist for the National Book Award in Young People's Literature.

Freak Show by James St. James (Dutton; 2007)

James St. James's story of a teenage drag queen at an uptight private academy is the classic tale of an outcast wanting acceptance. Our hero, Billy Bloom, however, wants to be homecoming queen. St. James's irreverent humor and lively writing make this an endearing and entertaining read that shirks the idea of being confined to a label of sexuality.

Choir Boy by Charlie Anders (Soft Skull Press; 2005)

Berry, a 12-year-old church choir darling, is starting to notice the effect of puberty where it matters most to him: his voice. After a botched attempt to castrate himself, he decided to use hormones intended for men transitioning to women to keep his high vocal range. The story may seem cartoonish, but this Lambda Literary Award winner's emotional, sexual nature may be best for older teens;

Parrotfish by Ellen Wittlinger (Simon & Schuster; 2007)

Angela's awkwardness in being a girl prompts her to chop her hair, tie down her breasts, wear boys clothes, and change her name to Grady. While his family is hurt and his best friend ignores him, Grady finds support in a geek and a popular older student. Meanwhile, he writes a report on parrotfish, which are naturally able to change gender.

Morgan in the Mirror by C.C. Saint-Clair (BookMakers Ink; 2004)

Morgan is a 23-year-old post-chest-op trans man who has been able to pass as male for most of his life. Eventually he makes the decision to make the full transition. Saint-Clair steps away from lesbian subject matter to delve into the topic of gender dysphoria.