Growing Up Trans: In Our Own Words

 

Publication date: August 17, 2021 by Orca Book Publishers

My Thoughts:

This collection of stories, poems and artwork by transgender and other gender-diverse teens, from 12 - 18 range in emotion from heartbreaking to hopeful and everything in between. It started as a conversation by the two editors to quiet the voice of cisgender adults talking about trans youth and step aside to let the youth tell their own stories.  Herriot and Fry coordinated three writing retreats in Canadian communities as a way to amplify the strong voices in this anthology.

They divide the pieces by certain large themes like childhood, bodies, mental health and acceptance which makes it easier for readers to both read this through as well as read for specific insight. What also makes this such a powerful resource in the classroom is that each section ends with a What Can I Do Now? section written by adult professionals in a way that does not preach but offers up small nuggets of advice and actionable suggestions for both youth and adults. 

Finally, what will keep me coming back to this book as a resource is the part after each section that asks "What Can I Read Next?" I like that in each section if offers up picture book references, YA and graphic novels as well as General Audience items. 

A diverse bookshelf in a middle and secondary classroom library needs this resource. Books can heal and having this anthology in your classroom means that it will find that student that needs this book for a little inspiration, understanding and healing. 

In their own voices: Butterflies by Maisie Bodrug, age 13

We are done concealing our true identities/We fly high and free, and feel warm sun in our wings

But we butterflies are sensitive/An insult causes us to wilt and fall/So be kind to us, and cherish us/For we do not last forever

 

From the Publisher:

What does it mean to be young and transgender today? Growing Up Trans shares stories, essays, art and poetry created by trans youth aged 11 to 18. In their own words, the works illustrate the trans experience through childhood, family and daily life, school, their bodies and mental health. Together the collection is a story of the challenges, big and small, of being a young trans person. At the same time, it’s a toolkit for all young people, transgender or not, about what understanding, acceptance and support for the trans community looks like. In addition to the contributed works, there are questions and tips from experts in the field of transgender studies to challenge the reader on how to be a trans ally.