If you loved

Books like Girl mans up

A raw, big-hearted exploration of what it costs to be yourself when everyone else wants you to fit into their boxes. These 12 books are the closest matches in mood, pace and themes, with what each one shares with Girl mans up.

grounded
claustrophobic
resilient
hopeful

01
For Today I Am A Boy
Kim Fu
A poignant, deeply internal exploration of a child navigating the heavy expectations of family and the quiet, persistent ache of their own true identity.
Shares:
- claustrophobic
- earnest
02
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
03
13 ways of looking at a fat girl
Mona Awad
A brutally funny, wince-inducing exploration of the inescapable prison of body image and the hollow promise of transformation.
Shares:
- claustrophobic
- raw
04
Almost Perfect
Brian Katcher
A messy, emotionally turbulent exploration of teenage heartbreak, prejudice, and the rocky road to genuine understanding.
Shares:
- earnest
- raw
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
06
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:
- claustrophobic
- hopeful
- earnest
07
Gender outlaw
Kate Bornstein · 1994
A playful, mind-altering manifesto that invites you to completely dismantle everything you thought you knew about gender.
Shares:
- earnest
- defiant
- conversational
08
What girls are made of
Elana K. Arnold
A raw, blood-and-bone exploration of teenage girlhood that tears down the myth of unconditional love.
Shares:
- claustrophobic
- raw
09
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
10
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
11
Boy2girl
Terence Blacker · 2004
A chaotic, multi-perspective middle-school comedy where a prank meant to humiliate accidentally dismantles the entire social hierarchy.
Shares:
- earnest
12
One Man Guy
Michael Barakiva
A sun-soaked, food-filled summer romance that captures the dizzying thrill of stepping out of your comfort zone and into yourself.
Shares:
- hopeful
- earnest

Back to Girl mans up