Lgbtqia+ Book Club, Gender Non-Conforming Focused: For Ages 9 - 14 Years

Hi all! This is a Book Club based on Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming characters. It is a Read-To-Me Class, which means I will be reading aloud to the students for about half of the class, as they follow along in their own books. This class takes place twice per week to keep the learner engaged and on task. (Plus, it's fun to see each other twice weekly!) This is an easy-going class with light reading homework and discussion time. No pressure to speak in class if you're shy! All are welcome here. 

A typical class would go something like this:
First 10 minutes, teacher invites students into the classroom and checks in with them to see how they are. We will usually play an icebreaker game for fun! We talk a bit about what we read after our previous class as homework (usually spanning 2 - 4 chapters, depending on book length), then everyone will turn to our new chapter. I will begin reading to the class. They may follow along in their own books, OR they may quietly color/draw (as long as they are listening and absorbing the information so they can pick up where we left off for homework.) :-) 

After about 25 minutes of reading, we will finish up our chapter if possible and discuss our thoughts on what we just read in the book before getting our reading assignment before next class. I'm a firm believer in students being able to actually talk to one another in class (monitored by me of course), so we will have time before/after reading to express ourselves in ways that aren't completely related to the book we are reading. There may be times when students elect to stay a little later in class to talk, too. Perfectly okay with me, if my schedule allows it. :-)

It is up to the parent to do their own research on each book we will be exploring in class, as everyone's idea of what is appropriate is different for their own child. I will list the books we will be covering in class & a short description, as well as suggested reading age. Please do your own research before class. There may be curse words or sexual references, etc.  Student is responsible for getting their own copy of each book before class.

The following books will be covered:

1. Both Can Be True by Jules Machias.
Reading Age: 8-12 years

Ash is no stranger to feeling like an outcast. For someone who cycles through genders, it’s a daily struggle to feel in control of how people perceive you. Some days Ash is undoubtedly girl, but other times, 100 percent guy. Daniel lacks control too—of his emotions. He’s been told he’s overly sensitive more times than he can count. He can’t help the way he is, and he sure wishes someone would accept him for it.

So when Daniel’s big heart leads him to rescue a dog that’s about to be euthanized, he’s relieved to find Ash willing to help. The two bond over their four-legged secret. When they start catching feelings for each other, however, things go from cute to complicated. Daniel thinks Ash is all girl . . . what happens when he finds out there’s more to Ash’s story?

With so much on the line—truth, identity, acceptance, and the life of an adorable pup named Chewbarka—will Ash and Daniel forever feel at war with themselves because they don’t fit into the world’s binaries? Or will their friendship help them embrace the beauty of living in between?


2. The Other Boy by M.G. Hennessey.
Reading Age: 8-12 years

Twelve-year-old Shane Woods is just a regular boy. He loves pitching for his baseball team, working on his graphic novel, and hanging out with his best friend, Josh.

But Shane is keeping something private, something that might make a difference to his friends and teammates, even Josh. And when a classmate threatens to reveal his secret, Shane’s whole world comes crashing down.

It will take a lot of courage for Shane to ignore the hate and show the world that he’s still the same boy he was before. And in the end, those who stand beside him may surprise everyone, including Shane.


3. Different Kinds of Fruit by Kyle Lukoff.
Reading Age: 10-14 years

Annabelle Blake fully expects this school year to be the same as every other: same teachers, same classmates, same, same, same. So she’s elated to discover there’s a new kid in town. To Annabelle, Bailey is a breath of fresh air. She loves hearing about their life in Seattle, meeting their loquacious (and kinda corny) parents, and hanging out at their massive house. And it doesn’t hurt that Bailey has a cute smile, nice hands (how can someone even have nice hands?) and smells really good.

Suddenly sixth grade is anything but the same. And when her irascible father shares that he and Bailey have something big--and surprising--in common, Annabelle begins to see herself, and her family, in a whole new light. At the same time she starts to realize that her community, which she always thought of as home, might not be as welcoming as she had thought. Together Annabelle, Bailey, and their families discover how these categories that seem to mean so much—boy, girl, gay, straight, fruit, vegetable—aren’t so clear-cut after all.

4. Pet by Akwaeke Emez
Reading Age: 12+ years 

There are no monsters anymore, or so the children in the city of Lucille are taught. Jam and her best friend, Redemption, have grown up with this lesson all their life. But when Jam meets Pet, a creature made of horns and colors and claws, who emerges from one of her mother's paintings and a drop of Jam's blood, she must reconsider what she's been told. Pet has come to hunt a monster, and the shadow of something grim lurks in Redemption's house. Jam must fight not only to protect her best friend, but also to uncover the truth, and the answer to the question--How do you save the world from monsters if no one will admit they exist?

A riveting and timely young adult debut novel that asks difficult questions about what choices you can make when the society around you is in denial.