Green

Reach for this book when your middle-schooler is beginning to question social norms, exploring their gender identity, or feeling the sting of rules that seem outdated or unfair. It is a gentle yet firm guide for children who feel like they do not fit into the traditional boxes society provides, offering a mirror for nonbinary kids and a window for their peers. The story follows Green, a nonbinary student who finds their voice when their school's production of The Wizard of Oz enforces strict gender roles for casting. Through Green's journey, the book explores themes of self-advocacy, the importance of supportive friendships, and the courage it takes to ask for change. It is a secular, realistic contemporary novel that models how to handle microaggressions and systemic pushback with grace and persistence, making it an excellent tool for fostering empathy and self-confidence in readers aged 8 to 12.