To start off my recommendation posts, I think it’s a great way to show off my favourite trans books. All of the books mentioned here are 5 stars!

Middle Grade:

Dear Mothman by Robin Gow (White disabled trans boy MC).
Dear Mothman is a novel in verse about a young autistic trans boy dealing with the loss of his friend by writing to Mothman, his favourite cryptid. This is a beautiful novel about grief, the beginning of friendships, identity, and confidence. I’ve read this book twice, and I cried both times. It’s so beautiful and more people need to read it.

Rabbit Chase by Elizabeth LaPensée with KC Oster (illustrator)(Indigenous nonbinary MC).
Rabbit Chase is a book where Alice in Wonderland meets Anishinaabe culture/storytelling. Aimée is a young non-binary Anishinaabe middle-schooler and their class goes on a trip to offer gifts to Paayehnsag, the water spirit known to protect the land. While on this field trip, Aimée zones out, distracting themself from the bullying and isolation they’ve experienced since coming out as non-binary. They accidentally wander off and are transported to an alternate dimension populated by traditional Anishinaabe figures in a story inspired by Alice in Wonderland. I loved this. The art style is amazing, and I loved seeing this mashup of Alice in Wonderland and Anishinaabe culture!

Young Adult:

A Single Brutal Fate by Lee Paige O’Brien (White nonbinary MC).
This is the sequel to A Hundred Vicious Turns (which I gave 4.5 stars). This is a duology where Rat Evans, a nonbinary heir to one of the oldest magical bloodlines in New York, doesn’t cast spells anymore. They can see doorways no one else sees, corridors that aren’t on any maps, and open passageways to a broken tower…yet, something followed them back. This duology is underrated, and more people need to read it!

Compound Fracture and The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White (White trans boy MCs, trans girl love interest in SPIRIT).
Compound Fracture is about rebellion and trans rage following Miles, who survives attempted murder. Miles may have evidence that could turn the tide of the blood feud plaguing Twist Creek: Photos that prove the county’s Sheriff was responsible for the so-called “accident” that injured his dad, killed others, and crushed their efforts to unseat him. This book is almost pure trans rage and it is absolutely amazing.
The Spirit Bares Its Teeth is something I can describe as gothic horror and that’s really all I want to say. This is such a good book, but it is dark.

Godly Heathens and Merciless Saviors by H.E. Edgmon (Indigenous nonbinary MC, trans love interests).
The Ouroboros duology follows Gem, a nonbinary Seminole teen, who finds out they’re a reincarnated god from another world. This duology is filled with twists and turns. I loved this series.

The Sunbearer Trials, Celestial Monsters, and Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas (Latiné trans boy MCs).
Is it really a Rhys recommendation if I don’t include Aiden Thomas? The Sunbearer Trials follows Teo, a 17-year-old trans son of the goddess of birds who isn’t worried about being chosen to compete in the Trials, since he is a Jade. But for the first time in over a century, Sol chooses not one, but 2 Jade competitors. I love this duology and it deserves all the love in the world!
Cemetery Boys was the first book I ever read with a trans main character, and it remains one of my absolute favourites! It follows Yadriel who tries to summon his cousin’s ghost to prove to his family he is a true brujo; yet, he accidentally summons the ghost of his high school’s resident bad boy, Julian Diaz, who won’t go into death quietly.

Cheer Up! Love and Pompoms by Crystal Frasier and Val Wise (Latiné trans girl MC).
Cheer Up follows Annie, a smart antisocial lesbian starting her senior year of high school who need to round out her college applications. She is under pressure to join the cheerleading squad to make friends and help her college applications, and there she meets her former friend BeeBee, a people-pleaser. BeeBee is a trans girl who must keep her parents happy with her grades and social life to keep their support of her transition. The two of them rekindle a friendship they thought was lost forever and discover something sweeter. This is such a sweet YA graphic novel!

Lakelore by Anna-Marie McLemore (Latiné disabled nonbinary MCs).
Two nonbinary teens are pulled into a magical world under a lake, but can they keep their worlds above water intact? Lakelore is such a beautiful masterpiece of magical realism, and more people need to read it!

Adult:

Seven Devils and Seven Mercies by L.R. Lam and Elizabeth May (Black trans woman; major side character in book 1, MC in book 2).
I mean…truly did you think anything else would be first in adult? My entire PERSONALITY is Seven Devils!! 7 rebels are attempting to bring the empire to its knees, but the clock is ticking: the new heir to the empire plans to disrupt a peace summit with the only remaining alien empire, ensuring the empire’s continued expansion.

Her Majesty’s Royal Coven and The Shadow Cabinet by Juno Dawson (White trans girl; major side character in book 1, MC in book 2).
A coven of witches at the heart of the British government reeling after a civil war. The reigning High Priestess has more problems than one can count, including the threat of a young warlock with extraordinary capabilities. This is basically a book full of “FUCK TERFs”. Mwah, love it.

The Blighted Stars by Megan O’Keefe (White trans man MC).
Naira, disguised as Tarquin’s new bodyguard, plans to destroy his ship before it lands on the next planet. But neither of them thought they’d arrive to a dead planet. Tarquin is such a good character, and I love him. Him being trans is just a part of his identity, and it’s seen as a normal thing. I love this world and I’m excited to get to book 2.

Remain Silent by Robyn Gigl (White trans woman MC).
The Erin McCabe series is a series that can be hard to read. The transphobia can be rampant, but man oh MAN I love these books. Remain Silent is the only one I gave 5 stars, and it was WELL EARNED! Erin is a criminal defense attorney who never thought she’d end up on the opposite side of the interrogation table after meeting a new client who ends up dead right after she left. My GOD the emotions in this one were top notch!

The Flowered Blade by Taylor Hubbard (White disabled trans man MC).
Crown Prince elf Silvyr Quilen is the family disappointment. His father wanted a son to follow in his image. Silvyr strives to receive his father’s approval, and on a diplomatic journey, he is suddenly kidnapped by the Ghizol Orcs. I loved this book oh my god. More of y’all need to read it!

The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi (Black disabled trans woman MC).
A brutal empire is divided by blood colour, determining one’s status and fate. Sylah, a former rebel; Annor, the oppressed daughter of a powerful ruler; Hassa, a sharp-eyed outcast. The three find their paths colliding as a revolution brews. Together, they may become the spark that sets the empire ablaze.

Have you read any of these? Are they also your favourites? Let me know!