I say trending, when I really wish we were striding, leaping or … already there. When it comes to embracing diversity in literature – be it the author’s identity and experiences, or those of the characters on the page – we are trending in the right direction. While there will never be enough books to cover all aspects of diversity, immersing young people in diverse stories allows them to emotionally connect with characters and stories who have lives similar to their own (or perhaps very different to their own) and expand understandings of themselves and of others.Ĭhapter 13 of my book ‘Raising Readers’is titled ‘Acknowledging and Reflecting Diversity’ and in this chapter, contributor Will Kostakis says I celebrate most occasions with books (and cake), so I’m celebrating with 50+ books which I believe are important additions to your home and school libraries.ĭiverse texts play a crucial role in allowing readers to see their life reflected in story and act as powerful agents of cultural change. The Gender Games has been optioned by SunnyMarch Productions to be turned into an original television series, written by Rose Lewenstein.The LGBTQI+ community across the world celebrate Pride month (June each year) in all manner of different ways.

As her body gets in line with her mind, Juno tells not only her own story, but the story of everyone who is shaped by society's expectations of gender - and what we can do about it.įeaturing insights from well-known gender, feminist and trans activists including Rebecca Root, Laura Bates, Gemma Cairney, Anthony Anaxagorou, Hannah Witton, Alaska Thunderfuck and many more, The Gender Games is a frank, witty and powerful manifesto for a world in which everyone can truly be themselves.

Gender isn't just screwing over trans people, it's messing with everyone.įrom little girls who think they can't be doctors to teenagers who come to expect street harassment.įrom exclusionist feminists to 'alt-right' young men.įrom men who can't cry to the women who think they shouldn't. And two years ago, as Juno Dawson went to tell her mother she was (and actually, always had been) a woman, she started to realise just how wrong we've been getting it.

*WINNER OF THE UK BLACK PRIDE LITERARY PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION DIVA AWARDS 2017**AS SEEN ON TRANSFORMATION STREET* 'Opens minds, breaks down myths and vaporises prejudice - I loved it!' Rebecca Root, star of Boy Meets Girl 'Funny, thoughtful and honest' Stylist'It's a boy!' or 'It's a girl!' are the first words almost all of us hear when we enter the world.īefore our names, before we have likes and dislikes - before we, or anyone else, has any idea who we are.

The Gender Games by Juno Dawson