Although I have not been able to read all of Birthday myself (some of the content around parental illness hitting too close to home), one needs only to read the first few chapters to understand that this book is a monumental contribution to Young Adult transgender literature. Known for her exceptionally important If I Was Your Girl, the first YA book about a trans girl written by a trans woman, Russo is back with a book that traces the lives of Morgan and Eric, two best friends who share a birthday, over the course of several years, as they navigate friendship, romance, breaking up, and much more.

One of McLemore’s most recent titles, Blanca & Roja tells the story of four characters, one of whom is a trans guy who sometimes likes being called she/her. I deeply appreciated this narrative and how this character’s complex gender identity/experience was fully affirmed not only by the overall narrative but by characters within the text as well. While it can be important to have the “tough” realities of being transgender represented, it is also essential to portray deeply positive, affirming experiences. In Blanca & Roja, McLemore gives us a bit of both, with their deeply poetic writing style to boot.

This will forever be one of my favorite trans YA books. It follow the story of the character Jack who ends up time traveling into the body of Jacqueline. Although I usually dislike trans narratives that rely on switching bodies, the way Maroon navigates gender and sexuality in this book is fascinating– by the end of it, you won’t know if you should refer to the protagonist as Jack or Jacqueline, or what pronouns you should use to refer to them. This book both breaks down cisnormative assumptions about sex and gender and affirms transgender experience, while following an engaging sci-fi story.

This was one of the few YA novels I managed to read this year due to my coursework, and let me just say, I made an excellent choice. Akwaeke Emezi’s novel is set in a futuristic world in which all “monsters”– humans who have done terrible things– are gone, having either been put into rehabilitation programs or otherwise removed. But what happens when a creature steps through a portal from another world, and tells Jam that there is a monster is in her best friend’s family?

In many ways, this was a tough read. For anyone who has been in a family situation in which abuse festered just under a carefully constructed surface, this novel can be difficult. Still, the abuse is handled sensitively and with care, not used as a shocking reveal or twist. In addition, this novel presents a fantastic future for transgender people. Jam’s gender identity is accepted immediately by her parents as soon as she is able to articulate it, and she is able to begin transitioning at a young age. In addition, there are no moments of transmisia in the book. Instead, she is supported by everyone around her.

The first YA novel to feature a trans girl protagonist, Being Emily was released with an updated and expanded edition in early 2018. I have a deep appreciation for both editions of the novel. After reading the scene in which Emily comes out to her therapist, I took the book with me when I came out to my own therapist, back in 2014. The new edition includes a handful of new scenes, updated language, and an essay by Harvard professor Stephanie Burt. Read more about it here!

I have not had a chance to read this book yet, but I am fairly sure it is the first contemporary YA book about a non-binary teen written by a non-binary author. This book follows Ben as they navigate life after being kicked out of their house, then end up falling for the charismatic Nathan Allan.  I have heard nothing but good things about it!

Full disclosure, I read drafts of this picture book long before it was published, so I was pre-disposed to love it. Still, I was unprepared for how much it would mean to me. Aidan’s identity in this book is both central to his character and not at all what the plot hinges on. It is a lovely story and deeply affirming. I highly recommend it.

Although I have not read Felix Ever After yet, I can say that Kacen Callender is one of YA’s most talented voices, and this novel is likely to be a literary masterpiece and an important contribution to LGBTQIAP+ literature. Pre-order it now!

I don’t even know how long I’ve been waiting for Cemetery Boys, a book that follows a Latinx trans teen on his quest to become a “real” brujo, but I do know my excitement has just continued mounting the more Thomas shares about it. Do yourself a favor and keep this one on your radar.