Skip Navigation Links

The following books can be found at one or more of the elementary school libraries in town, we have noted which libraies each are in with their description. Where available we've linked the title to readings of the books on Youtube. We've also included the descriptions from the library catalog and a link to Amazon for further reviews and information. All of the books available in all school libraries in town may be searched through the Follet Destiny website.

For a discussion of why these books, and lessons based on these ideologies trouble us please see our Gender identity page.

Short format picture books

What Are Your Words? A Book About Pronouns Schools: All elementaries except Atkinson. Library description: 2021, Interest Grade level K-3, 40 Pages Ari knows a lot of words for neighbors, including the pronouns each prefers, and with help from Uncle Lior, who always asks 'What are your words,' figures out which pronouns--and other words--fit best today. Amazon Our Review: This book follows the character Ari as he tries to figure out what pronouns suit him best with the help of his Uncle who uses "They/Them". Along the way he meets characters that use various gender

non-conforming pronouns including "Ze/Hir", Ey/Em", and "Xe/Xir." At one pont Ari states "My pronouns are like the weather. They change depending on how I feel."

When Aiden Became a Brother Schools: Kittredge, Thomson Library description: 2019, Reading grade level 2.8, Interest Grade level K-3, 32 pages Aidan, a transgender boy, experiences complicated emotions as he and his parents prepare for the arrival of a new baby Amazon Amazon Description: When Aidan was born, everyone thought he was a girl. His parents gave him a pretty name, his room looked like a girl's room, and he wore clothes that other girls liked wearing. After he realized he was a trans boy, Aidan and his parents fixed the parts of his life that didn't fit anymore, and he settled happily into his new life.

Then Mom and Dad announce that they're going to have another baby, and Aidan wants to do everything he can to make things right for his new sibling from the beginning--from choosing the perfect name to creating a beautiful room to picking out the cutest onesie. But what does "making things right" actually mean? And what happens if he messes up? With a little help, Aidan comes to understand that mistakes can be fixed with honesty and communication, and that he already knows the most important thing about being a big brother: how to love with his whole self.

Jacobs Room to Choose Schools: Kittredge Library description: Jacob’s Room to Choose: 2019 Reading Grade level 2.1, Interest Grade level K-3 After Jacob and Sophie are prevented from using their school's bathrooms, their teacher helps her students write new rules about who can use which bathroom Amazon Amazon Description: The beloved lead character from Jacob's New Dress, which is one of The American Library Association's top 100 banned books of the last decade, is back in an encouraging story about gender expression. When Jacob goes to the boys’ bathroom he is chased out. His classmate, Sophie, has a similar experience when she tries to go to the girls’ bathroom. When their teacher finds out what happened, Jacob and Sophie, with the support administration, lead change at their school as everyone discovers the many forms of gender expression and how to treat each other with respect.

Call Me Max Schools: Kittredge Library description: Reading Grade level 2.8, interest Grade level K-3 When Max starts school, the teacher hesitates to call out the name on the attendance sheet. Something doesn't seem to fit. Max lets her know the name he wants to be called by--a boy's name. This begins Max's journey as he makes new friends and reveals his feelings about his identity to his parents. . . An age-appropriate introduction to what it means to be transgender Amazon

Jack Not Jackie Schools: Kittredge Library description: 2018, Reading Level 2.0, Interest Level K-3, 40 pages Susan loves her baby sister, Jackie, but as Jackie grows older and behaves more and more like a boy Susan must adjust to having a brother, Jack, instead. Amazon Amazon Description: Susan thinks her little sister Jackie has the best giggle! She can't wait for Jackie to get older so they can do all sorts of things like play forest fairies and be explorers together. But as Jackie grows, she doesn't want to play those games. She wants to play with mud and be a super bug! Jackie also doesn't like dresses or her long hair, and she would rather be called Jack.

Sylvia and Marsha start a Revolution! The story of the trans women of color who made LGBTQ+ history Schools: Kittredge, Franlin, Thomson Library description: 2021, Reading grade level 2.3, Interest Grade level K-3, 32 pages Introduces children to the story of Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson, the two transgender women of color who helped kickstart the Stonewall Riots and dedicated their lives to fighting for LGBTQ+ equality. It introduces children to issues surrounding gender identity and diversity, accompanied by a reading guide and teaching materials to further the conversation. Amazon

The following books are tagged in our library system as transgender/gender identity, yet none of them really have anything to do with those ideologies. In each of these books the main character is simply exploring their own identity without questiniong their gender. If it weren't for the insistence on children being labeled transgender or non-binary these books would be great resources. it is fine for a girl to be a "tom-boy", having traditionally masculine traits they are proud of while still being a girl. Likewise there is nothing wrong with a boy being effeminate, while still being a boy. In the case of one of these books, it is perfectly normal for a very young boy, or girl, to want to emulate their opposite gender older sibling in terms of dress or mannerisms without that child gender being questioned.

Ho'onani: Hula Warrior Schools: Sargent, Thomson Library description: 2019, Reading Level 2.4, Interest level K-3, 40 pages Ho'onani feels in-between. She doesn't see herself as wahine (girl) OR kane (boy). She's happy to be in the middle. But not everyone sees it that way. When Ho'onani finds out that there will be a school performance of a traditional kane hula chant, she wants to be part of it. But can a girl really lead the all-male troupe. Amazon

Our Review: This is a very empowering story if not for the insistence on making it about gender identity. Throughout the story Ho'onani is referred to as a girl with she/her pronouns, and throughout displayed with long hair. Ho'onani is a girl challenging traditional gender norms in her clture of what a girl can and can't do. Ho'onani is what we would call a "tom-boy". Including this in the transgender/gener identity category is exactly one of our issues with these books. Why can't a girl have and value her masculine traits, or want to be inluded in what society would typically consider "male" roles, while still being very much a girl?

One of a Kind Like Me Schools: Thomson Library description: 2016, Interest Grade Level K-3, 32 pages Tomorrow is the school parade, and Danny knows exactly what he will be: a princess. Mommy supports him 100%, and they race to the thrift store to find his costume. It's almost closing time. Will Danny find the costume of his dreams in time? Amazon Our Review: There is nothing associated with gender identity in this book. It is the story of a very young boy who wants to dress as a princess for the school parade. At no point does the child or his parents question the fact that he is a boy. He is simply a boy that wants to dress as a princess for his school parade.

Sparkle Boy Schools: Thomson Library description: 2017, Reading Grade Level 2.2, Interest Grade Level K-3 Three-year-old Casey wants what his older sister, Jessie, has--a shimmery skirt, glittery painted nails, and a sparkly bracelet--but Jessie does not approve. After two boys tease Casey about his appearance, Jessie evolves to a place of acceptance and celebration of her gender creative younger brother Amazon Our Review: The titular character in this story, Casey, is 3 years old. The description itself says it all, Casey wants to be like his older sister. It is very common for younger siblings to want to be like their older siblings whom they look up to. At no point in this story does anyone question Casey's gender or gender identity, nor should they. Casey is emulating his older sister. This is a perfectly normal behaviour. It does not indicate Casey is transgender or non-binary. He simply wants to be like his older sister whom he idolizes.

Julián is a Mermaid Schools: Sargent, Kittredge Library description: 2018, Reading level 0.7, Interest Level K-3, 40 pages While riding the subway home from the pool with his abuela one day, Julián notices three women spectacularly dressed up. Their hair billows in brilliant hues, their dresses end in fishtails, and their joy fills the train car. When Juliań gets home, daydreaming of the magic he's seen, all he can think about is dressing up just like the ladies in his own fabulous mermaid costume: a butter-yellow curtain for his tail, the fronds of a potted fern for his headdress. But what will Abuela think about the mess he makes--and even more importantly, what will she think about how Julián sees himself? Amazon

Our Review: While the pictures strongly suggest drag shows in this book, the underlying theme is kids can be kids. No where in this story is any suggestion that Julien is anything other than a boy. He is simply a young pre-pubesecent boy that wants to dress up as a mermaid. This has nothing to do with gender identity, but is simply a child wanting to express themselves as they wish. That said we do not recommend, nor condone this book based on some of the illustrations presented.

The following are long format chapter books. As such no Youtube readings are available.

The Pants Project Schools: All elementary Library description: 2019, Interest Grade level 5-8, 272 pages Eleven-year-old Liv fights to change the middle school dress code requiring girls to wear a skirt and, along the way, finds the courage to tell his moms he is meant to be a boy. Amazon Amazon Description: "My name is Liv (Not Olivia)... I'm not technically a girl. I'm transgender. Which is a bit like being a Transformer. Only not quite as cool because I probably won't get to save the world one day." Liv knows he was always meant to be a boy, but with his new school's terrible dress code, he can't even wear pants. Only skirts. Operation: Pants Project begins! The only way for Liv to get what he wants is to go after it himself. But to Liv, this isn't just a mission to change the policy―it's a mission to change his life. And that's a pretty big deal.

George Schools: Atkinson, Franklin Library description: 2015, Reading grade level 4.7, Interest Grade level 3-6, 224 pages When people look at George, they think they see a boy. But she knows she's not a boy. She knows she's 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, really, REALLY wants to play Charlotte. But the teacher says she can't even try out for the part . . . because she's a boy. With the help of her best friend, Kelly, George comes up with a plan. Not just so she can be Charlotte -- but so everyone can know who she is, once and for all. Amazon Amazon Description: When people look at Melissa, they think they see a boy named George. But she knows she's not a boy. She knows she's a girl. Melissa 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. Melissa really, really, REALLY wants to play Charlotte. But the teacher says she can't even try out for the part... because she's a boy. With the help of her best friend, Kelly, Melissa comes up with a plan. Not just so she can be Charlotte -- but so everyone can know who she is, once and for all.

Ana on the Edge Schools: Franklin, Kittredge Library description: 2020, Interest Grade Level 3-7, 400 pages Twelve-year-old figure skater Ana strives to win competitions while learning about gender identity--Ana's own and that of a new friend--and how to navigate the best path forward. Amazon Amazon Description: Twelve-year-old Ana-Marie Jin, the reigning US Juvenile figure skating champion, is not a frilly dress kind of kid. So, when Ana learns that next season's program will be princess themed, doubt forms fast. Still, Ana tries to focus on training and putting together a stellar routine worthy of national success. Once Ana meets Hayden, a transgender boy new to the rink, thoughts about the princess program and gender identity begin to take center stage. And when Hayden mistakes Ana for a boy, Ana doesn't correct him and finds comfort in this boyish identity when he's around. As their friendship develops, Ana realizes

that it's tricky juggling two different identities on one slippery sheet of ice. And with a major competition approaching, Ana must decide whether telling everyone the truth is worth risking years of hard work and sacrifice.

Frankie and Bug Schools: Thomson Library description: 2021 no grade level given, this is tagged under transgender (Amazon lists as grade 3-7) In the summer of 1987 in Venice, California, ten-year-old Bug and her new friend Frankie learn important lessons about life, family, being your true self, and how to navigate in a world that is not always just or fair. Amazon Amazon Description: It’s the summer of 1987, and all ten-year-old Bug wants to do is go to the beach with her older brother and hang out with the locals on the boardwalk. But Danny wants to be with his own friends, and Bug’s mom is too busy, so Bug is stuck with their neighbor Philip’s nephew, Frankie. Bug’s not too excited about hanging out with a kid she’s never met, but they soon find some common ground. And as the summer unfolds, they find themselves learning some important lessons about each other, and the world.

Like what it means to be your true self and how to be a good ally for others. That family can be the people you’re related to, but also the people you choose to have around you. And that even though life isn’t always fair, we can all do our part to make it more just.

Tiger Honor Schools: Sargent, Thomson Library description: 2022, Interest Grade level 3-6, 272 pages Thirteen-year-old nonbinary tiger spirit Sebin must decide where their loyalties lie when their traitorous uncle hijacks the battle cruiser that happens to be Sebin's first assignment in the Cadet Program. Amazon Amazon Description: Sebin, a young tiger spirit from the Juhwang Clan, wants nothing more than to join the Thousand World Space Forces and, like their Uncle Hwan, captain a battle cruiser someday. But when Sebin's acceptance letter finally arrives, it's accompanied by the shocking news that Hwan has been declared a traitor. Apparently the captain abandoned his duty to steal a magical artifact, the Dragon Pearl, and his whereabouts are still unknown. Sebin hopes to help clear their hero's name and restore honor to the clan.

Nothing goes according to plan, however. As soon as Sebin arrives for orientation, they are met by a special investigator named Yi and Yi's assistant, a girl named Min. Yi informs Sebin that they must immediately report to the ship Haetae and await further instructions. Sebin finds this highly unusual, but soon all protocol is forgotten when there's an explosion on the ship, the crew is knocked out, and the communication system goes down. It's up to Sebin, three other cadets, and Yi and Min to determine who is sabotaging the battle cruiser. When Sebin is suddenly accused of collaborating with the enemy, the cadet realizes that Min is the most dangerous foe of all...

---