These five heartfelt titles feature characters whose identities fall under the trans umbrella.

EASTER, Robin. Upstaged. illus. by Robin Easter. 256p. Little, Brown Ink. May 2024. Tr $24.99. ISBN 9780316429429.
Gr 6-9–Nonbinary teen Ashton Price is excited to bunk with their best friend and crush Ivy for their last year together at Highland Arts theater camp before they part ways for high school. Ash is immediately disappointed when Ivy is placed in a different cabin. This summer, Ivy is the lead in the musical alongside Lucas, who plays Ivy’s love interest, while Ash is the stage manager, helping build the sets and coordinate costumes. Ash struggles with jealousy and fear that Lucas will “steal” Ivy away from them. As Ivy and Lucas spend more and more time together, Ash becomes withdrawn, isolating themself from their roommates and other campers. When Ivy begins canceling plans to work on her lines with Lucas, Ash snaps. They confront the two of them and begin taking their anger out on their crewmates. However, when a piece of the set unexpectedly catches fire, Ash and their friends are forced to come together to make the show a success. Easter’s illustrations are colorful and expressive. The LGBTQIA+ representation in this book is wonderful and exemplifies the diversity of queer experiences. While Ash’s crush is the main focus of the book, ample time is spent reflecting on friendships and personal growth. The theater camp setting will be exciting for campers and theater kids alike. VERDICT This is a great selection for middle schoolers transitioning to high school or struggling to navigate social groups, and for elementary and middle school libraries looking to add age-relevant LGBTQIA+ stories to their collections.–Jillian Girardeau

LEALI, Michael. The Truth About Triangles. 336p. HarperCollins. May 2024. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9780063337367.
Gr 4-7–Leali’s (The Civil War of Amos Abernathy) latest is a tasty, slice-of-life story of family, friendship, and pizza. Twelve-year-old Luca works in his Italian American family’s third-generation Chicago pizzeria. With his parents separating, the business failing, and a feeling that he’s the only one who can save it all, Luca submits an application for Mamma Gianna’s to be featured on Pizza Perfect starring his chef-idol, Travis Parker. At the same time, Luca also has to navigate the intersection of a long-term friendship with June and a budding maybe-more-than-friendship with Will. This novel uses the metaphor of shapes throughout. Luca describes himself as not feeling like a “whole shape” when things are out of his control. As relationships fracture and the pressure mounts, Luca will eventually have to reckon with his personal expectations and self-worth. Within this chaos, however, is an endearingly kind-hearted story that encourages readers to chase their dreams, meet their idols, and tell their crushes how they feel. Luca, Travis, and Will are queer, and Candace, a scout for Pizza Perfect, uses she/they pronouns. Outside Luca’s immediate family, Leali describes characters with a variety of skin tones and naming conventions. VERDICT An inspiring, culinary treat. Recommended for medium to large collections and any shelf where there are aspiring foodies in the audience.–Taylor Worley

PALMER, Caroline. Camp Prodigy. illus. by Caroline Palmer. 256p. Atheneum. Jun. 2024. Tr $22.99. ISBN 9781665930383.
Gr 3-8–Tate decides they want to play the viola just like their hero, the musical child prodigy Eli. When Tate attends a concert where Eli loses confidence and runs away from playing their solo, Tate becomes more determined to master the instrument. The two middle school protagonists meet at Camp Prodigy the following summer and form a mutually supportive bond that includes refining musical technique, and for Eli, regaining self-confidence, and for Tate, becoming brave enough to come out to their family as nonbinary. A full cast of variously motivated tween campers, encouraging camp staff, and supportive families for both Tate and Eli creates a story that readily contains the twin arcs of gaining comfort with artistry and with gender identity. Colorful and overflowing with camp activities as well as musical performances, Tate and Eli’s summer evolves with inspired and inspiring positivity. Tate is biracial white and South Asian, Eli is Black, and their peers are a range of ethnic backgrounds and body shapes. VERDICT A tween graphic novel that checks both aesthetic and message boxes with grace—this one belongs in all public and middle and elementary school libraries.–Francisca Goldsmith

RILEY, Ronnie. Asking for a Friend. 272p. Scholastic. Jun. 2024. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9781339027647.
Gr 3-7–Eden Jones is trying to make it at a new school after a heartbreaking loss of friendship at their previous one. Their Social Anxiety Disorder, as Eden and their single mom capitalize it, will surely lessen at the new school and a fresh start. Not wanting to disappoint their mother, Eden lies about having friends. When their mother announces that she will host the friends at their upcoming 13th birthday party, Eden is determined to make this happen by becoming actual friends with the students they’ve told their mother about. Eden manages to genuinely connect with most of the friend-targets, and they quickly become an LGBTQIA+ crew. But as their lies pile up and the friends grow closer, Eden must face some tough truths about themself. The insta-friendships that develop with this group of queer junior high kids are both preposterous and believable. At first, when all of the characters immediately come out to each other, it seems too rosy; but once readers understand that each of them lacked queer community, it makes sense that they bond so strongly. All of the characters are well defined and represent various shades of the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. The writing is reminiscent of Judy Blume and Alex Gino with its matter-of-fact tone, but at times it feels unrealistically and awkwardly chipper. Yet Eden’s inner voice of anxiety, low self-esteem, and panic attacks are spot-on. The author’s notes include information about the characters’ identities and a glossary of terms. VERDICT Ultimately this sweet novel reads like an old-school afternoon TV special. It’s realistic, if a bit cheesy, light entertainment with an obvious and hopeful message.–Elaine Fultz

WIBOWO, Jes & Cin Wibowo. Lunar Boy. illus. by Jes Wibowo & Cin Wibowo. 240p. HarperAlley. May 2024. Tr $24.99. ISBN 9780063057609.
Gr 6 Up–Indu is discovered on the moon by his adoptive mother Dariya, who picks him up during a space mission. Indu spends much of his childhood onboard the spaceship Eyesun, which houses an entire community. Indu comes out as trans to his mother at a young age and is easily accepted. However, he has to endure many changes when it is time for them to depart for New Earth—a futuristic, neo-Indonesian planet. Upon arrival on New Earth, Indu is immediately faced with several social challenges. He struggles with a language barrier, transphobia at school, and conflict with his older brother Alon. He is relieved when he starts to receive messages from the moon, which offer to take him back on the night of the New Year, but over time, Indu finds solace in a new pen pal and in the connections he makes at a queer community center. With a renewed sense of belonging, Indu regrets his decision to return to the moon and must decide to stay or go. References to Indonesian queer history emphasize that queer people have existed throughout time and in all cultures. Shifting color palettes set the tone, with warmer colors on New Earth and cooler ones in space. The authors seamlessly weave the lore of New Earth into the story, making it easy to understand without over-explaining. Themes of acceptance and the importance of community make this a great pick for readers who are coming-of-age or struggling with identity. While marketed toward middle grades, this book would be appealing for high school students as well. VERDICT This heartwarming story about found family and finding yourself is an immersive and refreshing shift from traditional science fiction.–Jillian Girardeau