Out on the Shelves: Diverse Genders (Tamariki)

There are so many different kinds of books in this list!

Here you'll find:

  • Books featuring characters who decide that the gender they are doesn't match up with the one they were originally told they were
  • Books featuring characters who are sure in their gender but present in a way that other characters may think is odd
  • Picture books exploring gender identity and gender expression
  • Books with information about gender and identity

There are many other books out there with information about gender identity and with characters who are transgender or gender diverse, but we hope that this list helps get you started.

Updated May 28, 2025
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Wellington City Libraries Children's team at Wellington City Libraries
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What Riley wore
Arnold, Elana K
Paper Book
Gender-creative Riley knows just what to wear for every occasion during a busy week with family and friends in this sweet and timely picture book from Elana K. Arnold and Linda Davick. Riley wears whatever clothes feel right each day. On Monday, Riley feels shy and wears a bunny...
Obie is man enough
Bailar, Schuyler
Paper Book
A coming-of-age story about transgender tween Obie, who didn't think being himself would cause such a splash. For fans of Alex Gino's George and Lisa Bunker's Felix Yz. Obie knew his transition would have ripple effects. He has to leave his swim coach, his pool, and...
Speak up!
Burgess, Rebecca
Paper Book
For fans of Click and Brave, this touching coming-of-age middle grade graphic novel debut follows an autistic girl who finds friendship where she least expects it and learns to express her true self in a world where everyone defines her by her differences. Twelve-year-old Mia is just...
A kids book about being nonbinary
Chinn-Raicht, Hunter
Paper Book
A clear explanation of what being non-binary means, and what it means to be outside of the gender binary. This is a kids book about non-binary identities. But what does being non-binary mean? For some people, the question and its answer may be new or a little confusing. It's okay...
The pants project
Clarke, Cat
Paper Book
A touching, humorous story of strong-willed eleven-year-old Liv, who is determined to challenge his school's terrible dress code and change his life. Inspire empathy and compassion (and a few laughs!) in young readers with this stunning middle-grade novel. "My name is Liv (Not Olivia)... I...
My own way : celebrating gender freedom for kids
Estrela, Joana
Paper Book
Small children are often asked to choose between a gendered binary-"boy" or "girl", "pink" or "blue". This colorful picture book smashes these stereotypes and encourages the reader to follow their own way! "Girl or Boy?" What brings you joy? ...
I can do it myself!
Adams, Diane
Paper Book
Emily Pearl can do lots of things by herself. But sometimes even resourceful little girls need help. Emily Pearl is a very big girl. She can pour her own juice. She can feed her goldfish. She can even curl her own hair. Whenever her mother tries to help, Emily says, ?I can do it myself!? But...
Ho'onani : hula warrior
Gale, Heather (Children's author)
Paper Book
Based on a true story, Ho'onani: Hula Warrior is a celebration of Hawaiian culture and an empowering story of a girl who learns to lead and learns to accept who she really is - and in doing so, gains the respect of all those around her.
Alice Austen lived here
Gino, Alex
Paper Book
From the award-winning author of Melissa, a phenomenal novel about queerness past, present, and future. Sam is very in touch with their own queer identity. They're nonbinary, and their best friend, TJ, is nonbinary as well. Sam's family is very cool with it... as long as Sam...
Green
Gino, Alex
Paper Book
From the bestselling author of MELISSA, a new book putting a non-binary kid named Green at center stage. CRUSHES ARE CONFUSING. Green is very lucky. They've got a supportive dad, friendly neighbors, and good friends. They've figured out a lot of things... but they can't...
George
Gino, Alex
Paper Book
BE WHO YOU ARE. When people look at Melissa, they think they see a boy named George. But she knows she's not a boy. She knows she's a girl. Melissa thinks she'll have to keep this a secret forever. Then her teacher announces that their class play is going to be Charlotte's Web....
Red : a crayon's story
Hall, Michael
Paper Book
Red has a bright red label, but he is, in fact, blue. His teacher tries to help him be red (let's draw strawberries!), his mother tries to help him be red by sending him out on a playdate with a yellow classmate (go draw a nice orange!), and the scissors try to help him be red by...
Jacob's school play : starring he, she, and they
Hoffman, Ian
Paper Book
"An empowering and uplifting tale . . . perfect icebreaker for young students to have meaningful conversations about gender identity and community."--The Advocate Jacob--star of one of the most banned books of the decade according to the American Library Association--is back in his third...
Mallory in full color
Leahy, Elisa Stone
Paper Book
A funny, poignant middle grade novel about a tween who navigates questions of identity and friendship when her anonymous web comic goes viral, from the acclaimed author of Tethered to Other Stars. Mallory Marsh is an expert at molding into whatever other people want her to be. Her true...
This is our rainbow : 16 stories of her, him, them, and us
Locke, Katherine (EDT)/ Melleby, Nicole (EDT)
Paper Book
The first LGBTQA+ anthology for middle-graders featuring stories for every letter of the acronym, including realistic, fantasy, and sci-fi stories by authors like Justina Ireland, Marieke Nijkamp, Alex Gino, and more! A boyband fandom becomes a conduit to coming out. A former...
Juli©Łn is a mermaid
Love, Jessica
Paper Book
A New York Times bestseller! Winner of a 2019 Stonewall Book Award In an exuberant picture book, a glimpse of costumed mermaids leaves one boy flooded with wonder and ready to dazzle the world. While riding the subway home from the pool with his abuela...
Different kinds of fruit
Lukoff, Kyle
Paper Book
In this funny and hugely heartfelt novel from the Newbery Honor-winning author of Too Bright to See, a sixth-grader's life is turned upside down when she learns her dad is trans Annabelle Blake fully expects this school year to be the same as every other- same teachers,...
Too bright to see
Lukoff, Kyle
Paper Book
A Newbery Honor Book * Winner of the Stonewall Book Award  * A National Book Award Finalist "A gentle, glowing wonder, full of love and understanding." -The New York Times Book Review It's the summer before middle school and eleven...
I'm not a girl
Lyons, Maddox
Paper Book
Based on a true transgender identity journey, the picture bookI'm Not a Girl is an empowering story from writers Maddox Lyons and Jessica Verdi about a boy who is determined to be himself, illustrated by Dana Simpson. Nobody seems to understand that Hannah is not a girl...
Te?o's tutu
Macias, Maryann Jacob
Paper Book
This story of a boy's first ballet recital celebrates gender-creativity, the joy of dance, and being yourself Teo loves to dance, whether it's the cumbia with Papi, the bhangra with Amma, or ballet class with Miss Lila. He also loves the way his tutu makes him feel, inside and...
My rainbow
Neal, Trinity
Paper Book
A dedicated mom puts love into action as she creates the perfect rainbow-colored wig for her transgender daughter, based on the real-life experience of mother-daughter advocate duo Trinity and DeShanna Neal. Warm morning sunlight and love fill the Neal home. And on one quiet day,...
A song for you & I
O'Neill, Kay (Cartoonist)
Paper Book
NATIONAL BESTSELLER * Being a ranger means adventure, action, and protecting the weak. But who protects the ranger when they lose their way? From the bestselling author of The Moth Keeper and the Tea Dragon Society comes a must read MG graphic novel for fans of soft sweeping fantasy...
Ana on the edge
Sass, A. J.
Paper Book
Perfect for fans of Melissa and Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World, this heartfelt coming of age story introduces a nonbinary athlete navigating a binary world. Twelve-year-old Ana-Marie Jin, the reigning US Juvenile figure skating...
Just shy of ordinary
Sass, A. J.
Paper Book
A SYDNEY TAYLOR HONOR BOOK ★ In this heartfelt novel about family, friendship, and identity perfect for fans of The List of Things That Will Not Change and Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World, a thirteen-year-old nonbinary kid discovers that life doesn't...
Jack (not Jackie)
Silverman, Erica
Paper Book
In this heartwarming picture book, a big sister realizes that her little sister, Jackie, doesn't like dresses or fairies-she likes ties and bugs! Will she and her family be able to accept that Jackie identifies more as "Jack"? Susan thinks her little sister Jackie has the best...
Sir Callie and the champions of Helston
Symes-Smith, Esme
Paper Book
In a magical medieval world filled with dragons, shape-shifters, and witches, a twelve-year-old nonbinary hopeful knight battles for the heart of their kingdom. This USA Today bestselling series explores identity and gender amid sword fights and magic, and proves anyone can be a hero.
The Best Liars in Riverview
Thompson, Lin
Paper Book
In the woods of a small Kentucky town, Aubrey sets off on a journey about growing up, self-discovery, and acceptance while searching for their missing best friend--perfect for fans of King and the Dragonflies and Three Times Lucky. Aubrey and Joel are...
The house that whispers
Thompson, Lin
Paper Book
A subtle exploration of gender identity, family, and the personal ghosts that haunt us all, perfect for fans of Kyle Lukoff.   Eleven-year-old Simon and his siblings, Talia and Rose, are staying the week at Nanaleen's century-old house. This time, though, it's...

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