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Books for Gender Identity & Expression for Ages 8–11 – Wonderlit | Wonderlit

Browse → Ages 8–11 → Life Moments → Gender Identity & Expression → Ages 8–11

Books for Gender Identity & Expression for Ages 8–11

As your child navigates the middle grade years, they are often moving through a quiet, internal process of defining who they are and how they want the world to see them. These 140 books offer a safe space for readers aged 8 to 11 to explore complex questions about gender and self expression with the nuance this developmental stage requires. You can use these stories to support their growing independence and provide the language they need for their own evolving journey.

137 books

Cover of Soldier's Secret

Soldier's Secret

Sheila Solomon Klass

Deborah Sampson disguises herself as Robert Shirtliff to fight in the Continental Army, serving for over a year before h

Cover of LGBTQ Social Movements in America

Being LGBTQ in America

LGBTQ Social Movements in America

Duchess Harris, Kristin Marciniak

You will learn about the courageous people and key turning points that have defined the fight for LGBTQ rights and inclu

Cover of The Dress in the Window

The Dress in the Window

Robert Tregoning

A young boy works hard at his chores to save up for the beautiful red dress he saw in a shop window, dreaming of the per

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Cover of The Year My Life Went down the Toilet

The Year My Life Went down the Toilet

Jake Maia Arlow

Alison is juggling a new chronic illness diagnosis and her gender identity, but she might just find her community within

Ages 9–12

Cover of Pride: An Inspirational History of the LGBTQ+ Movement

Pride: An Inspirational History of the LGBTQ+ Movement

Stella Caldwell

For the child curious about history and identity, this vibrant guide chronicles the journey of the LGBTQ+ community from

Cover of King and the Dragonflies

King and the Dragonflies

Kacen Callender

Grief and mystery collide by the Louisiana bayou as King searches for his late brother, who he believes has transformed

Cover of Flight of the Puffin

Flight of the Puffin

Kindness travels across the country through handwritten postcards, connecting four middle schoolers as they face life’s

Cover of Green

Melissa and Friends #3

A non-binary middle-schooler finds their voice and a sense of belonging while campaigning for inclusive casting in the s

Cover of Jude Saves the World

Jude Saves the World #1

Jude Saves the World

Twelve-year-old Jude faces the challenge of starting a Diversity Club to ensure every friend in their community has a sa

Cover of Gender

A Kids Book About

A clear, visual guide for children and families to understand the science, history, and social aspects of gender identit

Cover of Athlete Is Agender True Stories of LGBTQ+ People in Sports

Athlete Is Agender True Stories of LGBTQ+ People in Sports

Katherine Locke, Nicole Melleby

For children who love sports but feel like they don't fit the traditional mold, these inspiring true stories celebrate q

Cover of The Deep & Dark Blue

The Deep & Dark Blue

For children navigating the difference between pretending for safety and finding their true selves, especially those exp

Cover of Melissa

Melissa and Friends #1

Melissa knows she is a girl, even if the world sees a boy; now, she and her best friend have a plan to let her true self

Cover of Their Name Is Alex

Their Name Is Alex

For the child who doesn't feel they fit into traditional boxes or is exploring their own pronouns through the lens of th

Cover of Gooseberry

For the child searching for where they belong and the name that fits them best. A tender story about foster care, nonbin

Cover of Rachel Levine

She Persisted #26

Lisa Bunker, Chelsea Clinton

For children exploring what it means to be themselves, this biography shows how one woman's perseverance in medicine and

Cover of Just Shy of Ordinary

Just Shy of Ordinary

For the child who thrives on routine but feels overwhelmed by change, this story follows a nonbinary teen navigating soc

Cover of Neither

Land of This and That #1

Airlie Anderson

Being different from the rabbits and the birds in the Land of This and That sends a unique creature on a journey to find

Cover of Asking for a Friend

Jude Saves the World #2

Asking for a Friend

Social anxiety leads Eden to invent three fake friends, but a surprise birthday party forces a desperate attempt to turn

Cover of Sylvia Rivera

Hispanic Star #4

Claudia Romo Edelman, J. Gia Loving

For the child who feels like an outsider and wants to see how standing up for your authentic self can change the world f

Cover of Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn

Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn #1

Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn

Kitty is certain she is a unicorn, and with the help of a new friend, she learns to embrace her true self despite what o

Cover of Johnny the Walrus

Johnny the Walrus

Johnny loves to spend his days pretending to be a dinosaur or a puppy, but he soon faces pressure to choose between his

Cover of Unicorn Power!

Lumberjanes (Novels) #1

For the girl who wants to see herself as the hero of her own adventure while finding a crew where being 'different' is e

Cover of It's So Amazing!

The Family Library #2

It's So Amazing!

Robie H. Harris

Bird and Bee answer honest questions about bodies, reproduction, and all the different ways families begin with inclusiv

More Ages 8–11 Books

Books for Food Allergies for Ages 8–11(22)Books for Going to the Dentist for Ages 8–11(24)Books for Wearing Glasses for Ages 8–11(66)Books for LGBTQ+ Families for Ages 8–11(72)Books for Learning to Swim for Ages 8–11(90)Books for Incarcerated Parent for Ages 8–11(102)Books for Queer Joy & Queer Love for Ages 8–11(104)Books for Riding a Bike for Ages 8–11(107)

Gender Identity & Expression for Other Ages

Books for Gender Identity & Expression for Ages 12–18(220)Books for Gender Identity & Expression for Ages 4–7(67)

Also by Format

Chapter Books(49)Young Adult(43)Graphic Novels(19)Middle Grade(7)