Book Club for Queer, Transgender, Nonbinary, Gender-Expansive, LGBTQ+ Youth
During each meeting, youth will discuss a book featuring positive queer representation. All ages and dis/abilities are welcome, and the reading level and interest level of the books will vary.
Mx. Erika Rose, LMHC, MT-BC (she/they)
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(417)
What's included
1 live meeting
55 mins in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. A book will be chosen for each class, with the input of youths in my various LGBTQ+ groups, and titles will be posted in the course description along with the date each book will be discussed. Students will need to read the book on their own time before coming to class. Students are of course still welcome to join if class time comes around and they have not finished the book, but the intention is to have discussion among students who have read a particular book.Class Experience
US Grade 6 - 9
EACH ONE-TIME CLASS SESSION WILL DISCUSS ONE BOOK. Students should read the book beforehand. Calendar and more info about books here: http://www.erikarose.org ------------------------------------------ This group is for transgender, gender-expansive, nonbinary, agender, queer, gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, or any other youths who fall under the LGBTQ spectrum to choose and discuss books. The group was created at the request of my LGBTQ+ Outschool student clubs. Youths will interact via live video chat. Youths will read the books on their own prior to coming to the group. Discussion will center around characters, events, and relating these to youths' own experiences and using these to build connection with one another. I am flexible regarding age of students, as long as families feel the books covered are suitable for the student and are comfortable with students being part of a group that sometimes spans a wide age range. Please research the books on your own and decide whether a book is appropriate for your particular student. I will moderate discussions to keep them around the general maturity level of the book. Please check the schedule and make sure you have read the book for the date you choose. There is absolutely no requirement that youths attend more than one group; discussions may allude briefly to previous books as tends to naturally happen, but the groups do not build on each other and are very much intended as "drop-in" groups. Youths will be asked to "avoid spoilers" when bringing up other books, films, etc. that might relate to the book being discussed. Past books (always happy to repeat if there is interest): Tuesday March 31 2020: I Wish You All The Best by Mason Deaver Tuesday April 28 2020: Gracefully Grayson by Ami Pulonsky ***Younger-reader-friendly short novel (no romance themes) Friday May 8 2020: I Wish You All The Best by Mason Deaver Sunday May 10 2020: Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides (Note: high/complex reading level, some mature themes, but not terribly graphic) Wednesday May 13 2020: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli Tuesday May 26 2020: From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun by Jacqueline Woodson Tuesday June 2 2020: Queer Heroes by Arabelle Sicardi and Sarah Tanat-Jones ***This is especially younger-reader/read-together friendly Monday June 22 2020: You Asked for Perfect by Laura Silverman Monday July 13 2020: Luna by Julie Anne Peters Tuesday July 28 2020: George by Alex Gino ***Younger-reader-friendly (no romance themes) Monday August 10 2020: It's Not Like It's a Secret by Misa Sugiura Friday August 14 2020: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli Wednesday August 19 2020: I Wish You All The Best by Mason Deaver Friday September 4 2020: Gracefully Grayson by Ami Pulonsky ***Younger-reader-friendly (no romance themes) Tuesday September 8 2020: Beautiful Music for Ugly Children by Kirstin Cronn-Mills Wednesday September 30 2020: Am I Blue by Marion Dane Bauer Friday October 2 2020: Rick by Alex Gino ***Younger-reader-friendly/no romance themes Wednesday Oct 28 2020: Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin Sunday Nov 8 2020: Not Your Sidekick by C.B. Lee Wednesday Nov 11 2020: Annie on My Mind by Nancy Garden September 27 2021: The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater (more of a middle/high school book, true story of a hate crime) October 3 2021: The Pants Project by Cat Clarke ***Younger-reader-friendly (no romance themes) October 5 2021: Girls Like Me by Nina Packebush (more of a middle/high school book, themes of sex and pregnancy) October 11 2022 10am Eastern: Zenobia July by Lisa Bunker (publisher's suggested age range 10-13) October 11 2022 7:30pm Eastern: Melissa by Alex Gino ***Younger-reader-friendly (no romance themes)
Learning Goals
The groups have a primary aim of book discussion and socialization. However, since it is inevitable that youths will have questions and be seeking information, the instructor will base the level of information on the guidelines from the Comprehensive Sexuality Education Guidance of the World Health Organization. These guidelines state, in part, that information should reflect the most current medical and social sciences understanding and focus on promoting the values that all individuals are worthy of dignity, respect, and autonomy. Youth will be likely to discuss the concepts of how sex and gender are different, as well as different genders and sexual orientations. Youth will be guided away from explicit or overly personal sharing and the depth and detail of discussion will be kept within the concepts recommended by the WHO for 12-15 at the absolute most, with content most likely to be appropriate for all ages based on these guidelines.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Books will be chosen from nonfiction, classic literature, young adult fiction, and possibly other genres. Books may contain mature themes presented in context, but will not include books that primarily have an erotic, gory, or other graphic focus. Books will be chosen based on positive and accurate representation of LGBTQ+ individuals, among other considerations. Several books per semester will be suitable for all ages (free of adolescent themes such as extensive romantic content, substance use, etc.) and denoted as such. Some books will contain depictions of homophobia, transphobia, substance use, suicide, and other such topics, as these themes are important in LGBTQ+ literature. As we are an LGBTQ+ space, the books will always have an overall presentation of LGBTQ+ folks in a positive light and will never glorify harm to self or others.
Supply List
Students will need to locate a copy of the book and read it before class. Sometimes students are interested in doing their own internet research and learning more about the author, the setting, historical events that are referenced, and so forth. None of this is required.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined February, 2020
4.8
417reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Master's Degree in Psychology from Lesley University
I am a clinician with two+ decades of experience working with youth and families. I am a member of the LGBTQ community and am raising a transgender youth. Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$10
per classMeets once
55 min
Completed by 67 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-16
5-14 learners per class
