What does it mean to be young and transgender today? Growing Up Trans shares stories, essays, art and poetry created by trans youth aged 11 to 18. In their own words, the works illustrate the trans experience through childhood, family and daily life, school, their bodies and mental health. Together the collection is a story of the challenges, big and small, of being a young trans person. At the same time, it's a toolkit for all young people, transgender or not, about what understanding, acceptance and support for the trans community looks like. In addition to the contributed works, there are questions and tips from experts in the field of transgender studies to challenge the reader on how to be a trans ally.

Growing Up Trans came out of a series of workshops held in Victoria to bring together trans youth from across the country with mentors in the community. (From Orca Book Publishers)

Dr. Lindsay Herriot is a B.C.-based education teacher and author.

Kate Fry is a writer and editor currently living as a white settler on the unceded lands of the Lekwungen Peoples.