Books like Beautiful Music for Ugly Children

An intimate, music-fueled journey of a trans teen flipping the record to let his true self play. These 12 books are the closest matches in mood, pace and themes, with what each one shares with Beautiful Music for Ugly Children.

intimate
affirming
challenging
hopeful

01
The Art of Being Normal
Lisa Williamson
A tender, big-hearted exploration of friendship, secrets, and the terrifying thrill of finally showing the world who you really are.
Shares:
- hopeful
- earnest
02
Beyond Magenta
Susan Kuklin
An intimate, unfiltered window into the lived realities of transgender youth, told in their own words.
Shares:
- intimate
- affirming
- hopeful
- earnest
03
If I Was Your Girl
Meredith Russo
A tender, anxiety-laced, and ultimately triumphant exploration of the terrifying leap required to let yourself be truly seen.
Shares:
- hopeful
- earnest
04
Almost Perfect
Brian Katcher
A messy, emotionally turbulent exploration of teenage heartbreak, prejudice, and the rocky road to genuine understanding.
Shares:
- earnest
05
Luna
Julie Anne Peters
A poignant, secretive exploration of sibling bonds and the tense, beautiful journey of a transgender teen preparing to show her true self to the world.
Shares:
- hopeful
- earnest
- transgender identity
06
Openly straight
Bill Konigsberg
A funny, heartfelt exploration of what happens when the desire to shed labels accidentally means shedding your true self.
Shares:
- hopeful
- earnest
- conversational
07
The Music of What Happens
Bill Konigsberg
A sun-baked, tender exploration of two boys finding solace in each other while navigating the heavy burdens of their hidden traumas.
Shares:
- hopeful
- earnest
08
Symptoms of Being Human
Jeff Garvin
A tense, big-hearted exploration of identity, anxiety, and the terrifying leap from internet anonymity to real-world vulnerability.
Shares:
- hopeful
- earnest
09
Gracefully Grayson
Ami Polonsky
A tender, theatrical journey of a young girl stepping out of the shadows and onto the stage as her true self.
Shares:
- hopeful
- earnest
- transgender identity
- self-acceptance
10
When the Moon Was Ours
Anna-Marie McLemore
An ethereal and tender exploration of first love, identity, and the magic of being truly seen.
Shares:
- intimate
- earnest
- transgender identity
11
North of beautiful
Justina Chen
A tender, map-making journey of a girl learning to navigate past her deepest insecurities to find a beauty entirely her own.
Shares:
- hopeful
- earnest
12
None of the above
I. W. Gregorio
An earnest, eye-opening journey through the sudden unraveling of a teenager's identity and the quiet strength it takes to rebuild it.
Shares:
- hopeful
- earnest
- self-acceptance

Back to Beautiful Music for Ugly Children