Kids age is 14. He is very shy and introverted. He wants to change his name and gender identity to relate to people who get picked on. He is a bigger kid for his age, but has a great mind and heart and passion for art. Thanks in advance.
by stevarino1979
4 Comments
Speaking as someone who hasn’t been in exactly the same place but was a neighbor to it, I would have been a bit better off I had known about *The Warrior’s Apprentice* by Lois McMaster Bujold
The Rangers Apprentice was originally written by the author to read to his son as a result of bullying.
Watership Down has a major character Fiver who is bullied but then becomes a valued member of the group.
I’m going to be honest, the way you describe this child’s desire to explore his gender identity is concerning; you make it sound like it’s something he’s doing to “relate to people who get picked on” but it’s possible- and quite frankly more likely – that he’s genuinely wanting to explore his gender identity, and if you are an adult in his life I’d strongly, *strongly* urge you to be supportive and do some reading of your own. (Edit: [https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/guide/a-guide-to-being-an-ally-to-transgender-and-nonbinary-youth/](https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/guide/a-guide-to-being-an-ally-to-transgender-and-nonbinary-youth/)) You can look into what trans teens go through when they are not supported by parents or the like, much less if they are bullied. There is nothing unhealthy about wanting to explore identity. It’s a normal thing for teenagers to do in different ways. That’s why they all dye their hair, lol.
That being said, here are some recommendations that relate to resilience and growth of teens. The ones with the double asterisk beside them are ones I think especially pertain to his situation for various reasons even though some are middle grade:
Contemporary
– *Camp QUILTBAG*,** *Ellen Outside the Lines*, *This is Our Rainbow*, and *Ana on the Edge* by AJ Sass
– *Starfish* by Lisa Fipps **
– *Almost American Girl* by Robin Ha
– *Darius the Great is Not Okay* by Adib Khorram
Fantasy / Sci Fi:
– Six of Crows duology by Leigh Bardugo **
– *Graceling* by Kristin Cashore
– The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzzane Collins (this gets darker but it remains age appropriate for teens)
– *Eragon*
– Sabriel
– Percy Jackson/ Heroes of Olympus series
You may see 13 Reasons Why suggested if you look up bullying YA books and I am warning you bc it’s literally the worst book about bullying.
This list also seems promising, it’s a list of YA books to teach about resilience: https://www.readbrightly.com/books-on-resilience-teen/