Reviewer: Nic Wildes (they/them), LMHC and co-director of SAYFTEE

I could not put this book down! Anyone who has struggled with the shame of feeling different can resonate with her story. The author offers a moving account of her journey toward self-acceptance as an intersex woman. Her subsequent advocacy and activism for the rights of intersex youth is inspiring. To my fellow members of the LGBTQ+ community, we must do better to include and support our intersex siblings in our quest for equality. To my mental health colleagues, seek out resources and information to begin learning how to better welcome intersex folks into your practice, and support them in their healing.

Reviewer: Matisse DuPont (they/them), Consultant and Activist with Trans Emergency Fund

This book was a huge eye-opener for me when it comes to how vast and expansive we can be with how we define the trans community. This book is part memoir and part history text; it follows iconic trans activist Leslie Feinberg as they pretend to be a student to sneak into museums and libraries to learn about hidden trans histories. With work rooted in anti-racism and working-class politics, Feinberg explores many corners of what is means or has meant to be a Transgender Warrior.

Content Warnings: Suicide attempts

Reviewer: Haeden Peaslee (they/them), LMHC at SAYFTEE

Jess is one of my favorite photographers of trans and queer folks, and I was so excited when this series was started (Jess also used to be local and went to MassArt!). Jess worked with partner Vanessa, a social worker, to create a collection of images and interviews of trans and GNC older adults from across the United States. Being able to sit with this large red book and take in the images as well as written stories is a striking experience, and I imagine catching an exhibition of To Survive On This Shore in person someday would be even more so!

Sayftee clinician Haeden Peaslee, LMHC (they/them) shares
"Tear Soup is a picture book that teaches about ways that different people grieve and starts by sharing “What’s true about soup making is also true about grieving”. I really love the gentle and compassionate approach the authors took and that this book can affirm someone experiencing grief in the moment as well as teach those who aren’t about grief. It also holds suggestions for different types of grievers or “cooks” at the end. You may find yourself crying while reading it."

Reviewer: Melissa MacNish Nishman, founder and co-director of SAYFTEE

This book is my absolute favorite kids’ book! It’s about a crayon with a red wrapping but it draws the color blue. It can be interpreted in a variety of different ways but the main message is: Some people might not understand you. Some people might put labels on you that don’t fit. Then there are people who will encourage you and support your truth. This book is about bravery, self acceptance, and celebration.

Reviewer: Meg Price, LMHC of Aurora Counseling Assoc. in Natick, MA

This book makes my heart sing! A little boy named Julian finds inspiration on the subway with his Nana in the form of 3 beautifully bedecked women. He begins to create his own look at home, unsure of how Nana will react. This book is tender, joyful, and visually stunning, and leaves me feeling like I got a hug from Nana myself. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Reviewer: Maurice Newman (he/him), Associate Ministry Director of LGBT Asylum Task Force

In this book, Hassan is a child from Somalia and attending a new school in a new country.

Hassan understands very little English and so in his class, the teacher gave him a task to paint. He understood he was to paint because the teacher gave him a paper, a brush and showed him the colours. He has never painted before. He painted a picture of what happened to him in Somalia; his real reality. His mother asked him at the end of the school day to show her his picture, but he did not. Instead, the next day he drew a happier picture where everything was nice and ‘ok’ and showed that to his mother.

I chose this book because like Hassan, asylum seekers come from everywhere where norms, cultures and traditions are very different. When they get here a lot of things become new and they have to figure out on their own how to do them. Most importantly though, like Hassan who drew his reality on the first day but chose to show his mom a happier picture instead, asylum seekers have all experienced incomparable trauma one way or another, but they choose to wear a smile and look happy, not really reflecting the constant struggle they face emotionally, psychologically, socially and sometimes spiritually.

Because we know of all these issues, we continue to fight everyday to help these individuals as best as we can with help of people and organizations like yours.

Reviewer: Nic Wildes, LMHC (they/them/theirs), co-director of SAYFTEE

I’m a big fan of this book because of the wide range of representation of queer and trans people. Consider sharing it with ALL the kiddos in your life, and check out @FlamingoRampant on Instagram for more feminist, racially-diverse and LGBTQ-positive children’s books!

Reviewer: Melissa MacNish Nishman (she/her/hers), SAYFTEE Co-director and Founder

This book is exactly what I have been looking for to recommend to parents of young LGBTQ+ children (and all children) to help them understand themselves, their bodies and relationships. It covers: puberty, hormones, pregnancy, consent, sex, relationship & families while using language that is inclusive of everyone. I also really enjoyed the illustrations by the Boston-based illustrator, Noah Grigni.

Reviewer: Helen Staab (she/her/hers), LICSW at SAYFTEE

The Boy & the Bindi is a beautifully illustrated and joyful story about a boy learning the significance of his mother’s bindi. In terms accessible to young readers, the story touches upon aspects of cultural identity, spirituality, and gender expansiveness.

Reviewer: Nic Wildes (they/them/theirs), LMHC and co-director of SAYFTEE

This was such a heartwarming story of a young trans boy sharing his truth and then preparing for the birth of a sibling. He expresses worry about being the perfect big brother, and his mother lovingly reminds him: You taught us how important it is to love someone for exactly who they are.

Reviewer: Haeden Peaslee (they/them), LMHC at SAYFTEE

One of the first children’s books for siblings of trans youth I’ve encountered! Jack (Not Jackie) follows the older sister’s experience of having a new sibling and all of the excitement that comes with that, as well as the disappointment when your younger sibling does not share the same interests as you, and learning that your sibling needs support and understanding!

Reviewer: Helen Staab (she/her/hers), LICSW at SAYFTEE

This delightful book was written by mother-daughter duo DeShanna and Trinity Neal, inspired by Trinity’s own experience. In the story, Trinity’s mother listens as Trinity explains why long hair feels important to her as a trans girl. Her mother then works to help make this happen in a way that honors Trinity’s ethnicity, neurodiversity, and colorful personality.

Reviewer: Melissa MacNish Nishman (she/her), founder and co-director of SAYFTEE

I have always been a fan of drag queen story hour. Drag Queens are the embodiment of strength, pride and acceptance. The illustrations in the book are fun and colorful. It is a fresh and fun take on the age old classic: The Wheels on the Bus.

We envision a world where kids can learn from LGBTQ+ herstories and experiences to love themselves, celebrate the fabulous diversity in their communities, and stand up for what they believe in and each other."

Check out the nonprofit Drag Queen Story Hour! The mission and vision of GQSH, “celebrates reading through the glamorous art of drag." Their chapter network creates diverse, accessible, and culturally-inclusive family programming where kids can express their authentic selves and become bright lights of change in their communities.

Reviewer: Helen Staab (she/her), LICSW at SAYFTEE

It’s nice to find an LGBTQ+ affirming book for the littlest humans! This book goes through the rainbow with colorful photographs as well as rhyming affirmations. My personal favorite was “soft green grass, cool shady tree, I’ll love the person you’ll grow to be.”

Reviewer: Haeden Peaslee (they/them), LMHC and clinician at SAYFTEE

I appreciate the way shadow is used in this book as a metaphor for identity vs presentation, and some of the ways that it can be hard to show your inner self. I do wish some of the shadows had been colors other than pink or blue, but this book offers a good basic starting point for those ideas of how we feel inside and what parts of that inside self we want to show on the outside!

Reviewer: Nic Wildes, LMHC, (they/them), co-director of SAYFTEE

This book is perfect for anyone who has ever felt they did not fit in and were afraid to be themselves. As Ganesha and their friends in “The Fabulous Outsiders Club” learn there is freedom in “being beautifully different.” Let us each embrace this truth and revel in our own unique magic!

Who Recommended: Melissa MacNish founder and co-director of SAYFTEE

“I have been waiting for a book like this to recommend to families! This book is perfect for young children who have a sibling who comes out as transgender. It not only highlights and normalizes the feelings a child might be having about their sibling’s gender transition but it also describes gender identity in a clear, affirming and thoughtful way. I also appreciate how the illustrations bring to life the tenderness and love of this family's relationships and this topic. “

Recommended for ages 3-8

Cory and Fiona write and illustrate books about bodies, puberty, and sex at age appropriate levels from 3-14 years old.

These books are considered a great resource for families with trans, non-binary, and intersex youth (or parents!).

What Makes a Baby is an introduction to conception, gestation, and birth and the many ways that a family forms.

Recommended for ages 8-10

Cory and Fiona write and illustrate books about bodies, puberty, and sex at age appropriate levels from 3-14 years old.

These books are considered a great resource for families with trans, non-binary, and intersex youth (or parents!).

Sex is a Funny Word is a comic based book to introduce sex education subjects. It includes LGBTQ+ relevant information and representation, as well as room for discussions around beliefs, boundaries, safety and joy.

Bodies are Cool, written and illustrated by Tyler Felder!
Target Audience: Preschool

Thank you to Sayftee Co-Director Nic Wildes, LMHC (They/Them) for recommending Bodies are Cool! They shared "I love this picture book as an inclusive and clear way of teaching the little ones in my life about the range of different bodies in the world. As the title states, it inspires confidence and acceptance of all bodies."

Reviewer: Helen Staab, LICSW and SAYFTEE clinician

In Seeing Gender, author and illustrator Iris Gottlieb takes a unique approach to engaging and educating her audience. While in many ways a Gender Identity 101 primer, Seeing Gender is also a colorfully illustrated invitation to further explore the many intersecting issues surrounding gender. The book’s format allows for the reader to gain something from the experience whether reading it cover to cover or glancing at a few pages at a time. This is a book one could give to a young person looking for connection, an adult family member seeking a starting point for self education, or for yourself to keep on your coffee table and start some great conversations.

Reccomended by: Sayftee clinician Haeden Peaslee, LMHC (they/them)

I’ve been wanting to read Cemetery Boys for a few years and am excited to have gotten around to it! This book follows main character Yadriel, a latinx trans male teen, in seeking validation from family in their traditions and proving that he can be recognized as a brujo.

Reviewer: Helen Staab, LICSW and SAYFTEE Clinician

Lily and Dunkin follows the lives and friendship of two middle schoolers. One protagonist lives with bipolar disorder and the other is handling coming out as trans in an unaccepting home. At its heart, this is a story about the power of being seen for who we truly are and being loved for it - not just in spite of it.

Content Warnings: Racism, heterosexism, and xenophobia are major players throughout the story, but there is no physical violence.

Reccomended by Sayftee clinician Helen Staab, LICSW (she/her)

Hani and Ishu are two Bengali-Irish teenagers in a primarily white private school in Dublin navigating how to fit in without compromising their sense of identity. This is an enjoyable book that covers a number of themes without feeling crowded or contrived. There are many opportunities for readers to see their own experiences reflected in the text, and also to learn more about identities and cultures other than their own.

Reviewer: Nic Wildes (they/them/theirs), LMHC and Co-director of SAYFTEE

This comic strip style diary of Kaye’s early transition experiences resonates with some of my own experiences and echoes the fears and joys I hear day in and day out from other trans and nonbinary people.

Reccomended by Sayftee clinician Haeden Peaslee, LMHC (they/them)

I appreciate the ways in which this book is a lighter read with a trans protagonist. It’s a coming of age novel about coming out as trans and notably Grady’s family is supportive right away. Parrotfish holds a space near and dear to my heart as the book I gave to my grandmother when coming out to give her something to read about trans experiences. While writing this review I also discovered that the author released an updated copy with some terminology changes in 2015.

Reviewer: Helen Staab (she/her/hers), LICSW at SAYFTEE

The cover blurb from V.E. Schwab says it best: “It is like being wrapped up in a big gay blanket.” This delightful story by TJ Klune follows a social worker who performs reviews of orphanages for magical children. Cerulean Sea is full of well developed characters and interesting plot, but it’s not bogged down with a *constant sense of impending doom* that is often present in YA fantasy and queer narratives in particular.

Content warning: Conversations about experiences of gender & sexuality based discrimination

Recommended by Helen Staab, LICSW she/her

Different Kinds of Fruit is a middle grade book that touches upon issues of identity, gate keeping, and queer history in an age appropriate manner. I was deeply impressed by how Lukoff addressed complex aspects of queer identity and community through the eyes of a sixth grader. The book is joyful and insightful, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it as an adult.

Cory and Fiona write and illustrate books about bodies, puberty, and sex at age appropriate levels from 3-14 years old.

These books are considered a great resource for families with trans, non-binary, and intersex youth (or parents!).

You Know, Sex is the newest addition to the series. It integrates conversations around self discovery, consent, identity, stigma, harassment and trauma into the puberty and sex conversation for youth who are entering their "tween" and teen years.

Reviewer: Taite (she/they) was an e-bunk counselor for the first time this summer with Camp Aranu'tiq! Taite is nonbinary and gay. They are finishing up college and planning to go to grad school to be a teacher. They hope to teach middle and high school.

With a lot of stories about queer and trans kids, the narrative is when they're struggling to come out and navigating that. One thing I really liked about this book is it starts when Felix already comes out as trans, had top surgery, and is living comfortably in his identity, but he goes through an additional examination of his gender identity (I don't want to give anything away). I liked it because it shows that we can continue to explore gender and it doesn't ever have to be a fixed thing, and that there's always room for change, growth, and exploration.

Content Warning: Death of a parent, Anti-Islamic hate attacks

Suggested by: Haeden Peaslee, LMHC (They/Them)

This book follows the storylines of Nadir, a Syrian-American Trans young adult and Laila, a Syrian artist. Zeyn Joukhadar does an amazing job of weaving together Nadir, his mother’s life work, and his queer and trans ancestors through these two storylines and some magical realism

Reviewer: Nic Wildes (they/them), LMHC and Co-director of SAYFTEE

Tobia gives the reader a first hand account of their experiences as a genderqueer person growing up in the 90s in North Carolina. Their story helps illustrate the painful ways binary ideas about gender and sexuality impact us all. “Sissy guarantees that you’ll never think about gender-both other people’s and your own-the same way again.”

Content warning: physical violence and abuse, substance use, racism, sexism, homophobia, grief.

Recommended by: Sarah Eley, LICSW (she/her/hers)

Far from the Tree, by Robin Benway envelopes the stories of three siblings by birth, who meet as teenagers. Their’s are honest stories of teens less told; exploring three different experiences of adoption, birth, adoptive and chosen family relationships. Each character has a different and bold personality. Each story weaves into the next, not always so seemingly, but adding a bit of mystery to keep you turning the page. The book normalizes being queer, normalizes interracial relationships, and blended families, and also paints a truthful picture of the challenges faced amidst the warmth and connection.

Reviewer: Haeden Peaslee, LMHC (they/them)

Why: A whimsical exploration of “Alphabet Soup Land”! Tab is a comic artist who has been writing stories about lgbtq+ folks for quite some time and Minority Monsters is a great intro to many identities with a related mythical creature, facts, a comic, and myths for each identity. It also looks into some of the history of lgbtq+ identities and gender non-conformance. Many of the comics can be accessed here and the book expands on those!

Content warning: sexual harassment, colorism, racism, sexism, homophobia, grief.

Recommended by: Sarah Eley, LICSW (she/her/hers)

Clap When You Land, by Elizabeth Acevedo explores the relationships between two sisters who meet in their teens and over their experience of their father’s death. The book shares the stories told from the perspective of each young woman and how they each relate to their father’s secrets, chapter to chapter. The story is one which explores the multi-layered feelings of grief; including shock, sadness, anger, depression, and acceptance. The pages are chalked full of meaningful expression about family relationships, queerness, race and differences across culture, issues related to immigration, new found family, and also explores what it can look like to lean into discomfort. This story is a true “both, and;” it allows space and a welcoming for feeling the feels of sadness and anger, and everything between. And, also holds space for hope and healing.

Reviewer: Helen Staab, LICSW (she/her/hers), SAYFTEE Clinician

“American Hippo” is a collection of novellas and short stories by Sarah Gailey. The stories take the formula of old Westerns and replace cows with hippos - which is at once as silly and as terrifying as you might imagine. Obviously this kind of speculative fiction isn’t going to be for everyone, but if the concept sparks your interest I highly recommend it.

I love “American Hippo” for the unique story but also for the way that the author seamlessly weaves queer, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming characters into the story. It may be the best demonstration of allowing characters to be more than just their identity that I’ve encountered. I particularly appreciated having a well developed non binary character who is never made to explain their identity or talk about the gender they were assigned at birth.

Reviewer: Jessica Kant (she/her/hers), LICSW and SAYFTEE Clinician

It is true that coming out and starting transition is often the loneliest time. It certainly was for me. At a time where the future feels unclear and the payoff feels uncertain. Craggs’ anthology contains over 80 letters from trans women and transfemme people around the world written in a variety of styles, aimed at speaking directly to trans people starting their journeys. Part love letter, part diary, each letter is from a different famous voice such as Isis King, Shea Diamond and Juno Dawson. Each are designed to remind you that you are not alone.

Fun fact: ever used the trans flag emoji? Thank Charlie Craggs.

Content Warning:
Anti-Asian racism, homophobia, transphobia, grief, sex, substance use; explicit scenes.

Reccomended by: Sayftee clinician Sarah Eley, LICSW (she/her)

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston is not your typical romance story. It has a bit of mystery and investigation attached to the plot that keeps you sucked in. I like the way it represents the power of friendship, chosen family, portrays very real and varied experiences of queerness across time, culture, music and generation, uses humor, emphasizes the five senses, and has sexiness woven into the story, unabashedly.

There’s something about Queer Young and, in this case, New Adult Fiction that fills a “could’ve been” nostalgia. And One Last Stop hit the spot. Where were these books when I was growing up!? It was so good, my dog couldn’t even put it down!

Also recommended: #ReadwithCindy youtube review of this book!

Content Warnings: All myths and tales are based off of the originals and some do have sensitive themes. Each individual story has a content warning if it is needed

Reviewer: Haeden Peaslee (they/them/theirs), LMHC at SAYFTEE

I was really excited to get these books and see how the author had interpreted different myths, tales, and fairy tales! Each story has some background from the author and her point of view of how asexuality fits within the tale. I sometimes wished for more overt re-tellings but overall really appreciated these books. Mythology has wonderful ways of helping us tell our stories and these collections are a great addition for asexual representation and story telling.

Content Warnings: Sexual assault, slurs, homophobia, racism, and anti-blackness

Reviewer: Nic Wildes (they/them/theirs), LMHC and Co-director of SAYFTEE

Johnson gives the reader an intimate look into his experience growing up as a Black queer man, and his journey to understanding that “there was a version of manhood, a version of ‘manly’ that looked like me...I wanted to become the person that future Black queer folks could look to and know that their masculinity could be defined on their own terms.”

Reviewer: Haeden Peaslee (they/them/theirs), LMHC at SAYFTEE

I was introduced to Ivan when a client asked me to read the short story “Imagine a Pair of Boots,” a story that is included in this book and provides a striking metaphor for pronouns. This was my first time reading a full collection of Ivan’s stories and I can’t wait to read more! Ivan is a wonderful storyteller and this book shares many of Ivan’s earlier memories as well as stories as a person travelling to speak at different high schools as an adult.

Content Warnings: Murder of young child

Reviewer: Haeden Peaslee (they/them/theirs), LMHC at SAYFTEE

Why: One of my favorite fantasy series I have read in my adult life, this is the first in a trilogy following the main characters through the end of their world after a significant loss. N.K. Jemisin does a wonderful job of weaving in lgbtq+ characters throughout the story (there is at least one trans character as well as lgb characters and polyamory).

Reviewer: Haeden Peaslee (they/them/theirs), Clinician at SAYFTEE

This is a wonderful graphic novel/memoir about the author Maia Kobabe’s experiences around gender and sexuality development as a genderqueer and asexual individual. I really appreciate the author capturing and sharing through this graphic novel the many stages of identity development e experienced throughout eir early childhood to adulthood.

Reviewer: Helen Staab (she/her/hers), LICSW at SAYFTEE

Every Heart a Doorway is the first in the ongoing ‘Wayward Children’ series. The basic premise of the series follows children who find their ways into other worlds through magic doorways, a la Narnia through the wardrobe. In Every Heart a Doorway, we are introduced to a school where these children live after returning to this world - and often pine for the magical worlds they left behind.

The stories are clever and complex and center around the theme of belonging. In this initial book, the protagonist is asexual and main supporting characters are gay and trans. This level of representation persists throughout the series, where new characters are introduced and some characters repeat. The Wayward Children series will be a delightful romp for any YA Fantasy fan, and are also great audiobooks.

Content Warnings: Homophobia, transphobia, suicide⠀

Reviewer: Nic Wildes (they/them/theirs), LMHC and co-director at SAYFTEE

I appreciated how this easy to read book offers snapshots of 23 LGBTQ+ people in history. It feels so grounding to be reminded of those that came before and learn about their roles in history. I have deep gratitude for all of our queer ancestors known and unknown.

Reviewer: Joel Newsome (he/they), Program Manager at OUT MetroWest

Meet Cute Diary tells the story of Noah, a queer trans sixteen year-old who is spending the summer with his brother in Colorado while his parents prepare to relocate the family to California for the coming fall. Noah is obsessed with two things: Starbucks vanilla lattes and his blog, Meet Cute Diary. Filled with stories of transgender people meeting their true loves in adorable settings, Noah sees his blog as an inspiration to transgender people hoping that they’ll experience a life changing meet cute as well. There’s only one problem: all the blog’s stories are made up and Noah’s followers are starting to catch on. In an effort to save the blog’s reputation Noah sets out to document his own (sort of real) relationship as evidence of an authentic meet cute couple. Romantic hijinks ensue as Noah learns the value of friendship, family and transparency in this YA romp.

Hani and Ishu are two Bengali-Irish teenagers in a primarily white private school in Dublin navigating how to fit in without compromising their sense of identity. This is an enjoyable book that covers a number of themes without feeling crowded or contrived. There are many opportunities for readers to see their own experiences reflected in the text, and also to learn more about identities and cultures other than their own.

I appreciate the ways in which this book is a lighter read with a trans protagonist. It’s a coming of age novel about coming out as trans and notably Grady’s family is supportive right away. This book also holds a space near and dear to my heart as the book I gave to my grandmother when coming out to give her something to read about trans experiences. It also feels important to mention that some of the specific language around identity doesn’t hold up 16 years later.

Continuum by Chella Man, illustrated by Ashley Lukashevsky.

Target audience: Teens and up
Content Warnings: Navigating gender with family as a young child, stigma against being Deaf and being bi-racial, cissexism, some of the contour drawing illustrations are nude

Clinician Haeden Peaslee, LMHC (they/them) shares "This essay by Chella Man follows his identities and experiences as a Deaf, transgender, genderqueer, jewish, bi-racial and chinese individual and his growth as he has sought community and explored ways he wants to affirm his gender."

Reviewer: Megan Tucker, Psy.D. (she/her/hers), Body, Race, & Gender Liberation-Focused Clinician

This book is a transformative journey of radical self-love/compassion and body justice. Sonya Renee helps readers to understand the ways that oppressive systems create and maintain the societal ideals that lead to body shame. Reference my affirmative couch article on being trans & fat…it's really connected to how the book is transformative!

Reviewer: Helen Staab, LICSW and SAYFTEE Clinician

I first became familiar with Saeed Jones through his poetry, and then through his Twitter (he’s very funny and has a great dog). In his memoir, How We Fight For Our Lives, Jones applies both his humor and his way with words to tell stories of his childhood and coming of age as a Black gay man from the South. The narrative brings the reader through experiences of joy, rejection, grief and transcendence. Please note that this book is decidedly for mature readers in terms of both themes and content.

Reviewer: Jessica Kant (she/her/hers), LICSW at SAYFTEE

Milstein’s anthology Rebellious Mourning includes authors from the past several decades of organizing within marginalized communities. With a special emphasis on centering LGBTQ+ and BIPOC voices, this gorgeous collection of essays comes from a wide variety of writers tackling issues critical to our time. Milstein begins the anthology by challenging the idea that pain and loss should be private affairs:

“One of the cruelest affronts, though, was the expectation that pain should be hidden away, buried, privatized-- a lie manufactured so as to mask and uphold the social order that produces our many, unnecessary losses."

Topics include, but are not limited to: police brutality, homophobia, transphobia, disability rights, and the AIDS crisis. In a time where we must face so much uncertainty and loss, Milstein’s anthology offers a history of hope and resistance that reminds us that we’ve survived this before, and that there’s power in collective grief.

Reviewer: Nic Wildes (they/them/theirs), LMHC and co-director of SAYFTEE

In her account of self discovery as a queer Muslim woman, the author reminds us of the importance of being seen and embraced for all of who we are.

Reviewer: Helen Staab (she/her/hers), LICSW and SAYFTEE clinician

This is not the first time that Alok Vaid-Menon’s work has been on SAYFTEE Reads. Femme in Public is a chapbook of their poetry, beginning with the question “what feminine part of yourself did you have to destroy in order to survive in order to survive in this world?” Menon’s work is intensely personal in a way that draws the reader in and creates a space to reflect on our own hurt, outrage, and radical hope.

Content Warnings: Violence, discrimination, sexual assault, abuse

Reviewer: Nic Wildes (they/them/theirs), LMHC and co-director of SAYFTEE

This collection of personal narratives from 30 different humans exploring and sharing their unique experiences of gender is a gift. We all need to see ourselves reflected in others and Nonbinary offers anyone exploring gender this opportunity.

Reviewer: Jennie Knott, LICSW (she/her/hers) is an independently licensed clinical social worker who has primarily worked with survivors of trauma struggling with alcohol and drug use for the last 8 years.

A great clinical tool, Holly's perspective was a feminist companion in a field of treatment and recovery that is still so deeply burdened by patriarchal approaches to healing.

Jennie is also intimately familiar with addiction in her personal life, and was deeply moved - relieved - by Holly's critical perspective on the culture of AA and dominant recovery-culture, in general. A great clinical tool, Holly's perspective was also a feminist companion in a field of treatment and recovery that is still so deeply burdened by patriarchal approaches to healing.

Holly's perspective helped Jennie continue to resist concepts dominant in AA that often perpetuate harm on female and gender non-conforming bodies, intuition, and wisdom; and helped Jennie continue to trust, explore, and embody alternative paths for healing that are, at their core, trauma-informed and responsive, and unique to people navigating systems of oppression while simultaneously learning how to thrive without the dominant influence of alcohol and drugs.

Reviewer: Helen Staab (she/her/hers), LICSW at SAYFTEE

You may be familiar with Lavery’s work as the co-founder and contributing writer of the Toast or author of “Texts from Jane Eyre.” Lavery’s wit and intelligence is equally sharp in Something that May Shock and Discredit You, but these essays are more explicitly personal than his past work. Using metaphors from theology and pop culture to invite the reader into his lived experiences, Lavery shares about exploring his own gender identity and coming out as trans. As always, Lavery’s writing is at once laugh-out-loud clever and powerfully insightful.

Reviewer: Even Paglisott (they/them), MPH and Rose Service Learning Fellow with SAYFTEE

I picked up this book in my early twenties at a used book sale in suburban Missouri, and it was the first book about queer experiences I read. The author (Neil Miller) is a cis white gay man who takes a road trip across the US during the 80s. Each chapter finds the author in a different small town or city, talking with lesbian and gay individuals who were quietly yet openly living their lives in seemingly discriminatory places in America. Miller's portraits of queerness are simple and full of warmth, and as a young adult, I felt filled with hope hearing how much acceptance and community gay and lesbian individuals could find in these conservative places. Miller's discussions of race and racism as it intersects with queerness is very limited and he does not discuss trans experiences.

Reviewer: Even Paglisotti (they/them/theirs), MPH and Rose Service Learning Fellow with SAYFTEE

This book has been hugely transformative for me! Adrienne Maree Brown draws on the work of other Black Feminist thinkers to establish that pleasure (in all of it's forms) is a birthright. She goes on to explore what it means to move out of a mindset of pleasure scarcity and into a mindset of 'enough', as in, "There will be enough for everyone.”

The book is made up of previous blog posts, interview transcripts, art, and feminist theory, with brown's commentary woven throughout, and I love that I can pick it up and read a random chapter in it of itself! This book is a must-read for anyone invested in social justice; it drastically altered the way I approach justice work.

Reviewer: Helen Staab (she/her/hers), LICSW at SAYFTEE

A perfect creepy fall read, Plain Bad Heroines is a delightful interweaving of queer women’s narratives into a lesbian pulp-fiction inception. This book has a lot going on - mystery, ghost story, Edwardian period piece, contemporary pop fiction, with Picnic at Hanging Rock vibes and references to countless lesbian fiction tropes. A fun book to read particularly alongside friends to compare notes, as everyone will get something different out of it.

Reviewer: Bria Brown-King (she/they), intersex advocate and Director of Engagement at interACT

Raising Rosie is a book that I wish I had access to growing up. I’m an adult with CAH and I never read a book that I related to so closely. This is a story about two parents who challenge the medical establishment in order to protect the agency and autonomy of their child who was born with an intersex variation. It’s also a story about the unconditional love between parent and child. We see endless examples of courage, resilience, and pushing back against a system that tells us that there’s only one way to be normal. I’ve been told that no one can really prepare us for parenthood. But I do know that Raising Rosie provided a great example of how to be the best parent and parent advocate that one can be.

Reviewer: Melissa MacNish Nishman (she/her/hers), co-director and founder of SAYFTEE

Written by two clinicians who specialize in disordered eating, this book provides a basic 101 for working with transgender and gender diverse communities while also weaving in information about body image and disordered eating. The book provides case studies, reflective questions and useful tips to support gender diverse clients with body image issues and/or disordered eating.

Reviewer: Helen Staab (she/her/hers), LICSW at SAYFTEE

This is a comprehensive resource that serves as a good starting point for clinicians wanting to learn more about gender affirming therapy. Each chapter ends with questions both for the clinician to use with their client as well as for the clinician’s own self reflection.

Reviewer: Jessica Kant (she/her/hers), LICSW and MPH at SAYFTEE

Among the absolute mess of homonormative and cis-centric therapy texts, Tilsen’s Therapeutic Conversations is an absolute revelation. First offering a rich introduction to Post-Structural theory and Narrative practice, Tilsen moves on to explore the worlds of those who traditional LGBT organizations most-often leave out of the conversation. Instead of simply relying on her own queer identity, Tilsen draws on the expert local knowledge of “The Q-Squad”, five queer youth who serve as cultural consultants for the book. As an act of truly embodied Narrative practice, Tilsen invites Q-squad members to reflect on each chapter, to share their stories and offer insights and nuance.

Absolutely prescient during today’s anti-trans assaults, Tilsen’s analysis of the role of assimilationist discourse in LGBT movement history offers a true roadmap for understanding the schisms that exist in the community today, and the complicity these harmful narratives have in upholding anti-queer hegemony.

For years I have been searching for a text for my family therapy students wishing to work with LGBT/queer youth, and this is the first text on actual clinical practice that I can enthusiastically and wholeheartedly recommend. Therapists, especially therapists who identify not as community members but as allies: read this book. A follow-up, Queering your Therapy Practice (2021) will be out soon and is available for pre-order.

Bonus: have you been looking for a way to name, deconstruct and challenge the oppressive messages in Harry Potter (let alone the racist, sexist and transphobic views of its author)? Read page 91.

Reviewer: Nic Wildes (they/them/theirs), LMHC and co-director of SAYFTEE

This conversational style book uses a trauma informed lens to invite the reader to reframe how we think about people’s actions and behavior. When we begin to shift away from “what’s wrong with you? “ to “what happened to you?” we can access more openness and curiosity for ourselves and each other. From this more gentle and compassionate stance healing becomes possible.

Reviewer: Haeden Peaslee (they/them/theirs), LMHC at SAYFTEE

This is a workbook designed for teens using ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy) principles. I appreciate the author’s voice holding strong throughout the book and acknowledging the things he may or may not know about being a teen while navigating “The stuff that sucks, the stuff you care about, the stuff that’s here and now,” and beyond.

Reviewer: Melissa MacNish Nishman (she/her/hers), founder and co-director of SAYFTEE

I have found the exercises in this workbook extremely useful to help support teens in exploring and affirming their gender identity. This book also includes real life scenarios, relevant content and practical guidance for navigating the world as a TG/NB teen. I also loved the colorful and fun illustrations!

Reviewer: Allyson Black-Foley, LCSW (she/her) is a psychotherapist practicing in Philadelphia.

This book gives an excellent overview of the ways in which trauma stems from social conditions and provides approaches for both individual and collective healing. The author walks the reader through the process of ‘regenerating safety’ after a traumatic experience.

Reviewer: Nic Wildes (they/them), LMHC and co-director of SAYFTEE

This book offers an accessible introduction to IFS along with multiple exercises to allow readers to explore this approach first hand. I found myself wanting everyone I know to experience the healing and self compassion that can be obtained through this way of relating to oneself and the world around them.