For Classrooms and Book Groups
Whether you want to teach from one of the novels or bring it into your book group, the information below can help create a lively, well-rounded discussion. And if you don’t see what you’re looking for here, please email me at beingemily [at] gmail.com and let me know what you need.
Being Emily
The character of Jess Tucker in Just Girls is one of very few butch lesbians to appear on a young adult book cover.
The first young adult novel to tell the story of a trans girl from her perspective. Issues and highlights include:
- A positive trans coming out story
- A strong ally whose Christian faith causes her to be more loving
- A look at how virtual worlds in gaming can support gender identity
For discussion questions and background, click here.
Just Girls
Go far beyond Trans 101 with a novel that explores what trans feminism has to offer everyone. Issues and highlights include:
- A trans girl main character being an active hero in someone else’s life
- A game played in the real world that galvanizes a community
- Realistic portrayals of consent in sex and sexual violence
For discussion questions and background, click here.
Curious Minds
Dive into the intersections of LGBTQ+ identity and neurodivergence. Highlights include:
- Varied LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent identities represented
- Open, honest, and messy discussions about accommodations, privilege, and more
- A lesbian literary treasure hunt!
For discussion questions and background, click here.
My Year Zero
When a girl who feels crazy meets a girl with bipolar disorder, she begins to realize how much she has to learn about emotions, dating, and her own life.
- A character with bipolar disorder is neither the problem nor a convenient plot point
- Group storytelling, Kabbalah and the mathematics of infinity (likely the sexiest math conversations you’ll ever read in a YA novel)
- Emotional abuse/neglect plus the stigmatization of mental illness
Discussion questions will be posted soon!