Lgbtqia+ Book Club, Transgender-Focused (High School) 14 - 18 Years

Hi all! This is a Social 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 about a half hour's worth of reading per day, 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 25-30 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. Student is responsible for getting their own copy of each book for class.

The following books will be covered:

1. Parrotfish by Ellen Wittlinger. 
Reading Age: 12+ years

"Angela Katz-McNair has never felt quite right as a girl, but it’s a shock to everyone when she cuts her hair short, buys some men’s clothes, and announces she’d like to be called by a new name, Grady. Grady is happy about his decision to finally be true to himself, despite the practical complications, like which gym locker room to use. And though he didn’t expect his family and friends to be happy about his decision, he also didn’t expect kids at school to be downright nasty about it. But as the victim of some cruel jokes, Grady also finds unexpected allies in this thought-provoking novel that explores struggles any reader can relate to."

2. Almost Perfect by Brian Katcher.
Reading age: 14+ years

"Everyone has that one line they swear they’ll never cross, the one thing they say they’ll never do. We draw the line. Maybe we even believe it.

Sage Hendricks was my line.
 
Logan Witherspoon befriends Sage Hendricks at a time when he no longer trusts or believes in people. He's drawn to Sage, with her constant smile and attractive voice, and his feelings for her grow so strong that he can’t resist kissing her. 

Sage finally discloses a big secret: she was born a boy. Enraged, frightened, and feeling betrayed, Logan lashes out at her–a reaction he soon desperately wishes he could take back. Once his anger cools, Logan is filled with incredible regret, and all he wants is to repair his friendship with Sage.

But it’s hard to replace something that’s been broken—and it’s even harder to find your way back to friendship when you began with love."

3. Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender.
Reading Age: 14+ years
 
"Felix Love has never been in love—and, yes, he’s painfully aware of the irony. He desperately wants to know what it’s like and why it seems so easy for everyone but him to find someone. What’s worse is that, even though he is proud of his identity, Felix also secretly fears that he’s one marginalization too many—Black, queer, and transgender—to ever get his own happily-ever-after.

When an anonymous student begins sending him transphobic messages—after publicly posting Felix’s deadname alongside images of him before he transitioned—Felix comes up with a plan for revenge. What he didn’t count on: his catfish scenario landing him in a quasi–love triangle....

But as he navigates his complicated feelings, Felix begins a journey of questioning and self-discovery that helps redefine his most important relationship: how he feels about himself.

Felix Ever After is an honest and layered story about identity, falling in love, and recognizing the love you deserve."


4. I am J by Cris Beam.
Reading Age: 15+ years

"J had always felt different. He was certain that eventually everyone would understand who he really was: a boy mistakenly born as a girl. Yet as he grew up, his body began to betray him; eventually J stopped praying to wake up a "real boy" and started covering up his body, keeping himself invisible -- from his parents, from his friends, from the world. But after being deserted by the best friend he thought would always be by his side, J decides that he's done hiding. It's time to be who he really is. And this time he is determined not to give up, no matter the cost."