SAYFTEE

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.