“Grounded and Real and Right”: Transgender Representation in Stonewall Award Titles for Young Adults, 2010-2026

<p class="abstract" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-indent: 0in; line-height: normal;">This content analysis evaluates the diversity and accuracy of transgender representation in titles considered for the Stonewall Book Award - Mike Morgan and Larry Romans Children&rsquo;s and Young Adult Literature Award. It focuses on both award winners and honorees for young adult audiences across the entire duration of the award (2010-2026). The sample is made up of fifteen titles that are fictional, are not graphic novels, and have human transgender characters. <p class="abstract" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-indent: 0in; line-height: normal;">Sampled titles were internally homogenous, often representing similar demographics and degrees of privilege. Transgender characters overwhelmingly had undergone medical transitions, which is not reflective of real transgender teenagers in the United States. More substantial differences were found in how individual identities were represented. <p class="abstract" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-indent: 0in; line-height: normal;">The anticipated impact of this research is increased consideration of what types of transgender stories are considered for and win awards, reflection on how diverse collections truly are, and what scope of transgender experiences are reflected in award-winning and honored young adult fiction.