American Teenager: How Trans Kids Are Surviving Hate and Finding Joy in a Turbulent Era

(Hardback)

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From an award-winning journalist comes a vivid and moving portrait of eight trans and nonbinary teenagers across the country, following their daily triumphs, struggles, and all that encompasses growing up trans in America today

An urgent and heartfelt chronicle of families under attack. Nico Lang cuts through the political ping-pong over transgender rights to surface the human stories that too often go ignoredLangs lucid and clear-eyed account of their lives offers an essential corrective, reminding us that theres nothing more American than the freedom to be yourself. SAMANTHA ALLEN, author of Real Queer America

Media coverage doesnt hesitate to sensationalize the fight over how trans kids should be allowed to live, but what is incredibly rare are the voices of the people at the heart of this debate: transgender and gender nonconforming kids themselves. In their groundbreaking new book, journalist Nico Lang does just that. By living with seven families of eight transgender, nonbinary, and genderfluid teens, and drawing on hundreds of hours of interviews with them, their families, and the people in their communities, American Teenager paints a stunning portrait of what its like to grow up trans today.

Unlike the whitewashed, monolithic vignettes we regularly see, this book leans into the complexity and nuance of the teens' lives. It takes mental strength for these teens to focus on schoolwork while being barraged with headlines about how their existence is an abomination or experiencing the deep pain of losing family after coming out. But in this necessary, vital work, Lang also documents the resiliency of their support systems, the daily moments of joy, and the hope that a better future is possible.

From the tip of Floridas conservative panhandle to vibrant queer communities in California, Texas churches to mosques in Illinois, American Teenager gives readers a window into the lives of Wyatt, Rhydian, Mykah, Clint, Ruby, Jack, Augie, and Kylie, eight teens who, despite what some lawmakers might want us to believe, are truly just kids looking for a brighter future.

Reviews

Langs book is a necessary work of patient, dogged reportage. . . . [A] searing overview of government barriers that transgender youth face. * WASHINGTON POST *
A series of complex, sometimes searing and always sensitive portraits of young people whose right to existence currently hangs in the balance. * BOOKPAGE, Starred Review *
Tender and informative. . . Lang evokes a strong sense of urgency and importance in shifting the perspective on what it means to be a trans teenager in the current heated political climate. . . A necessary and compassionate collection of stories that is a must-read for anyone looking to expand their horizons. * KIRKUS REVIEWS *
American Teenager is a must-read on the trans teen experience . . . [An] important, powerful, and necessary book for these divided times . . . Groundbreaking, thoroughly informative, and compassionate . . . The empathetic yet noticeably objective stories Lang writes are as varied as they are inclusive and each allows the myriad emotions of its subject, from fear and depression to confidence and pride, to truly shine. * SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE *
An incredibly intimate, varied look into the lives of American trans youth. * THEM *
In this deeply humanizing and thoroughly researched book of reportage, former Them news editor Nico Lang visits families across the country who are grappling with this political climate, showing that trans kids are, at the end of the day, just kids. * THEM, 33 Queer Books, Movies, TV Shows, and Albums for Fall *
A deeply personal and revelatory work of journalism, American Teenager looks at the lives of eight trans and nonbinary teenagers across the country as they experience all the highs and lows of growing up trans in an increasingly hostile world. * AUTOSTRADDLE, 72 Most Anticipated Queer Books Coming Out Fall 2024 *
American Teenager never forgets that these are normal American teens in every way: These teens dance, sing, ride floats in parades, and wear too much Axe body spray. [An] urgent, powerful narrative, not just for the kids at its center, but also for the rest of us, whose decisions and whose empathy may help determine whether the world they have to navigate is one they can survive. * VOX *
By turns silly, sweet, serious, funny, and sad. The book is not only a crucial intervention into rampant institutional transphobia targeting American youth, its a riveting, empowering read. * AUTOSTRADDLE, The Best Queer Books of 2024 *
[By] offering nuance and allowing the subjects to propel the narrative, Lang reminds us these young people are just young people, trying to live their lives as their fully authentic, healthy selves. This humanizing approach aims to take the fear out of the trans conversation, and Lang hopes replace it with empathy. * CITYBEAT *
A crucial book for anyone engaging with young people today. * MOMBIAN *
A crucial book for anyone engaging with young people today. Lang weaves compelling and in-depth portraits of each teen's life, sharing everyday details as well as broader reflections from the youth and their families . . . A powerful and personal look at these young people and those who support them . . . Parents, advocates, educators, policy makers, health care providers, and others should be less likely to doubt that after reading this vital volume. * BAY WINDOWS *
American Teenager shows the highs and lows of being a teen with the added stress of politics included and here, the individuality inside the ordinary is striking and wonderful. Lang is careful to show how these are just typical kids good-hearted, smart, funny, sarcastic and it rings throughout each profile how much the discrimination they endure affects their lives and relationships. Thats a clarion call, absolutely, but readers who can see between the lines will also enjoy this books humor, its compassion, and the sheer joy of meeting decent, thoughtful teens. Parents will like this book for its candor, and that goes doubly for adults who love a trans kid. Start American Teenager and before long, youll be hooked. * OUT IN JERSEY *
An urgent and heartfelt chronicle of families under attack, American Teenager is a master class in journalism as a force for change. Nico Lang cuts through the political ping-pong over transgender rights to surface the human stories that too often go ignored. As rigorous as it is compassionate, this daring journey through the Heartland shows that love remains the best way to disarm fear. As right-wingers try to make boogeymen out of our most vulnerable, Langs lucid and clear-eyed account of their lives offers an essential corrective, reminding us that there's nothing more American than the freedom to be yourself. * SAMANTHA ALLEN, author of Real Queer America *
With humor and compassion, Lang shows trans teenagers as they really are: kids trying their best, day by day, to grow into their truest selves and fullest potential. The various chapters are by turns deep, silly, introspective, sweet, and smart, just like teens themselves. * MAIA KOBABE, author of Gender Queer: A Memoir *
With tremendous empathy and the kind of precision that only comes with a years-long commitment to truth-telling, Nico Lang amplifies the dreams, fears, and resistance of transgender teens in the United States at the current moment. Lang proves how rich the discourse is when trans youth take their rightful place at the center of their narratives. * RAQUEL WILLIS, activist and author of The Risk It Takes to Bloom: On Life and Liberation *
Nico Langs American Teenager provides a heartwarming and honest look into the real lives of young trans people and their loved ones as they navigate growing up in the U.S. today. By centering the real moments in their lives, Nico reminds us the experiences of young trans people are not universal, but are also so similar to that of all teenagers: filled with navigating regular problems like falling in love for the first time, getting ready for college, or finding a prom date. What pervades all of their stories however is the simple reality that these young people are growing up amid a terrifying rise of anti-trans bigotrywhere new laws and policies create real barriers to their abilities to thrive. American Teenager provides an intimate window into the stories that the anti-trans hate machine doesnt want you to hear: the real experiences of trans kids and their families. * IMARA JONES, CEO, TransLash Media *
As a transgender woman who transitioned during childhood, American Teenager resonates deeply with me. With heartfelt empathy, Nico Lang uncovers the human stories overshadowed by political rhetoric, showcasing the struggles and resilience of transgender youth amidst adversity while simultaneously amplifying their voices, which are all too often silenced. In a society where ignorance and bigotry seek to vilify the most vulnerable among us, Langs sincere portrayal pulls back the curtain to unveil remarkable youth who simply want to be kids. As a child, I would often say, Get to know us, you'll love us. American Teenager allows readers to meet these extraordinary kids along with their families and fall in love with their hearts, minds, strength, and, most of all, the courage to embrace their authentic identities and face the world as their true, beautiful selves. With raw honesty and emotional depth, Lang sheds light on their heartwarming journeys, intense challenges, life-changing moments, and the true meaning of unconditional love. * JAZZ JENNINGS, author of Being Jazz: My Life as a (Transgender) Teen *
The transgender children and their families who are finally given the megaphone in Nico Langs American Teenager love this country. Unfortunately, it so rarely loves them back. Lang weaves this broad bleak terrain with warm insights and a clear immediacy of message. In Langs pages, these families arent talking points bandied about on Capitol Hill or coastal elites out of touch with real America. They are real Americaand in Langs expansive and compassionate writing, theyd rather be stretching a dollar and going to soccer games than being forced onto an unnecessary political battlefield. * GABE DUNN, New York Times bestselling author of I Hate Everyone But You *
Nico Langs American Teenager is an urgently necessary book, bringing the voices of trans teens (and their families) to the forefront of a conversation that has been about them and around them, but which has all too often ignored their actual words and experiences. By allowing trans teens to tell their stories themselves, with all the messiness and complications that come with being teenagers, Lang has given themand by extension, all of usa great gift. * HUGH RYAN, award-winning author of When Brooklyn Was Queer *
American Teenager provides a beautifuloften uplifting, occasionally heart-wrenchingwindow into the lives of contemporary trans kids and their families as they navigate their teen years amid ever-increasing anti-trans legislation and prejudice. Tune out the politicians and pundits, and pick up this book if you actually want to learn more about trans kids. * JULIA SERANO, author of Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity *
American Teenager is an incredibly important, humane account of the joys and struggles of so many youth currently under attack in our country. I pray this book will one day be seen as a historical work that sheds light in a dark world and that Langs message of love and acceptance becomes the story we carry forward into the future. * GARRARD CONLEY, New York Times bestselling author of Boy Erased *
American Teenager speaks profound truths about the modern experiences of trans youth and their journeys toward becoming their true selves. Lang has crafted a vivid por

Author Bio

Nico Lang (they/them) is a nonbinary award-winning journalist with over a decade of experience covering the transgender communitys fight for equality. Their work has appeared in major publications, including Rolling Stone, Esquire, the New York Times, Vox, the Wall Street Journal, Salon, Harpers Bazaar, Time, The Washington Post, and the L.A. Times. Lang is the creator of Queer News Daily and previously served as the deputy editor for Out magazine, the news editor for Them, the LGBTQ+ correspondent for VICE, and the editor and cofounder of the literary journal In Our Words. Their industry-leading contributions to queer media have resulted in a GLAAD Media Award and 10 awards from the National Association of LGBTQ Journalists (NLGJA). Lang is also the first-ever recipient of the Visibility Award from the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund (TLDEF), an honor created to recognize their impactful contributions to reporting on the lives of LGBTQ+ people.