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

by Nico Lang

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

“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. Lang’s 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  

“Lang weaves this broad bleak terrain with warm insights and a clear immediacy of message. Expansive and compassionate.” ―GABE DUNN, New York Times bestselling author of I Hate Everyone But You

Media coverage tends 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 transgender and gender nonconforming kids themselves. For their groundbreaking new book, journalist Nico Lang spent a year traveling the country to document the lives of transgender, nonbinary, and genderfluid teens and their families. Drawing on hundreds of hours of on-the-ground interviews with them and the people in their communities, American Teenager paints a vivid portrait of what it’s actually like to grow up trans today.

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

Genres: Nonfiction, Queer, LGBT, Gender, Biography, Audiobook, Transgender

288 pages, Hardcover

Published October 8, 2024

Reviews

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book that follows trans teens in the United States. Nico Lang does an excellent job of showing how these teens are doing their best to live their lives amidst ongoing anti-trans prejudice and administration. It was wonderful reading about the joy and happiness of these teens amidst the ongoing bigotry, whether that be how they engage in resistance/activism or just find pleasure in their friends and hobbies. Lang includes a diversity of trans experiences in this book, including gender diversity, race, and geographic location. An important read during these difficult, oppressive times – a book that balances naming what’s hard and scary with some measure of hope and resilience.

[Maia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Queer journalist and author Nico Lang traveled around the US to meet 11 families of trans teens and see how anti-trans legislation is impacting their daily lives. Each family has different circumstances; one teen fears his top surgery will be indefinitely delayed, while another had surgery already and has joined the boys swim team at his high school. Some teens are moved to become activists while others want to just live their normal, low-profile lives. 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. I was able to read an advanced copy of this book- pre-order it now, or look for it on shelves in October 2024!

[Bethany Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible and should be required reading. Transgender teens and their families throughout the US and how they are living. Beautifully written, raw, honest, and thoughtful. The audio was great.

[Isaiah · Rating 5 out of 5]

To see a full review, check it out here.

I was a trans teen and I cried so many times reading this. Lang has humanized trans teens and given them a larger voice. They did the exact opposite of what lawmakers are doing. Lang has shown that trans teens are real people and deserve basic respect. They have also shown they are silly, they are scared, they are ambitious, and they are full people. They deserve so much more than the bare minimum. They deserve so much.

[Mike De Socio · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so hooked and transported by this book that I read the whole thing in just a couple of days—during a period where I was also packing up my house and moving to a new city. It really is that good. Here's why:

Lang is an extremely skilled writer and storyteller. Each teen is profiled in such vivid detail and lush scenery. We get not only the story of their trans identity, but a full picture of their lives that draws you in and keeps you reading.

Lang profiles these eight teens with so much care. Each story is unique, and Lang embraces the nuance of each teen's life. Their interests, political beliefs, families, religions and aspirations are all wildly different from each other—a fact Lang does not shy away from, but intentionally highlights.

These stories remind us what we're fighting for. I find it easy to get lost in the endless political debates and bad-faith arguments. But at the end of the day, the trans kids that Lang profiles want the same things we all want: A life of their own choosing, with the safety and ability to live it freely.

I know that if you pick up a copy of "American Teenager," you're going to love the stories of Wyatt, Rhydian, Mykah, Clint, Ruby, Augie, Jack, and Kylie, just as much as I did. It's a tour of the country that takes you to Florida, California, Texas, Illinois and beyond, with each place teaching you something new and beautiful.

[Andrew Eder · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars - also good! Nothing that changed my life or how I think of things. Nothing super unique or different than anything else that’s really out there. But it was entertaining enough and I’m glad something like this exists!

[Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s hard to encapsulate everything I feel about this book. It was written and released prior to 2025 when trans kids were already political pawns, and I’m saddened to read/review nearly a year later and report that things have only gotten worse. But it’s precisely because of the current climate that Lang's work is so critical. The author follows seven teenagers from across the U.S. and with the only through-line being their trans identities. I love this book for so many reasons, but one aspect is the seven very diverse stories that the author highlights: across state, religious, racial, socioeconomic, and many more lines, there is no singular “trans experience.”

It’s books like these that I wish policymakers would read and sit with before enacting harmful legislation that attempts to erase trans identity. The title “American Teenager” is so brilliantly clever, highlighting how these teenagers are just teens at the end of the day and their transness is just one facet of their multitude. The writing is powerful and passionate, with Lang's prose nothing short of astonishing. These are the stories meant to be amplified, riveting in both their singularity and universality. I’ll be recommending this book to absolutely everyone.

Read this book if you:
🏳️‍⚧️ believe we should let trans kids be kids (but especially if you don’t)
👤 love inspiring life stories of gender identity
🎤 listen to The Moth podcast - or even better, its adolescent spin-off, Grown

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[danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the idea of this book, but i did not enjoy this specific book. i personally found the author's writing to be a bit pretentious, and it felt like they were inserting themselves a bit too much when they wrote about the thoughts the kids were having. i really didn't like how Lang wrote about Ruby's relationship with a new boyfriend particularly, it left me feeling a bit icky honestly. i love the idea of telling the stories of trans youth, but i did not like the execution of this book.

[Jaclyn Gruenbaum · Rating 5 out of 5]

This should be required reading.

[Wulf Roby · Rating 5 out of 5]

American Teenager: How Trans Kids Are Surviving Hate and Finding Joy in a Turbulent Era  is not the first thing I've read from journalist Nico Lang. In fact, over the years, I have found myself seeking out Nico's work, as they are not only a trustworthy seeker of truth, they also find beauty and meaning in places where others would overlook, showing depth and insightfulness too often lost in contemporary journalism. 


Bringing together a series of in-depth stories, not just about the struggles of being a transgender youth in America in a time where trans people are being scapegoated wholesale is not an unexpected move. Building narratives around individuals and their families where transness is one aspect of a whole person--that's bold. 

American Teenagers transcends literary and journalistic categories, stepping into a liminal space where the storyteller is as pivotal as the narrative itself. This is not a book but a direct link, a glimpse into the lives of the upcoming generation of transgender youth whose lives are being simultaneously shaped by intense love and tortuous hatred–and their resilience and authenticity shines through both because and in spite of all they endure. 


From the youth surrounded by acceptance and love to those whose battles have been hard-won and often public– Nico steps into the realities of these youth reveals what no TV talking head or political spokesperson (for any “side”) ever could: humanity–real, raw and resilient.  


Having followed Nico's work for quite some time, American Teenager is both exactly and so much more than I expected. There is no arguing with the veracity of the stories they've compiled here; the juxtaposition of a great many things come together to the beat of an eclectic playlist where the resulting anthem transcends and comes down to one familiar refrain for our community: We are here…..and we aren't going anywhere. 

[Bant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found the stories and profiles of these 7 teens to be so well done and I think the book accomplishes what it set out to do.

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rounded down from 4.5 stars.

This is a deeply important book that tells stories the whole country needs to hear. I loved reading the stories of the teens profiled - their hopes, dreams, fears, and thoughts on the future. I also loved learning about the families, communities, and whole ecosystems who wrap their arms around these very special teens.

That said, I thought the writing was good but not great, and sometimes the verbiage got a bit unwieldy for my taste (example: “Wyatt is unwilling to surrender the purity of his artistic ideals. In which ballet operates not as a repository for suffering but a way to rise above it.” Sometimes less is more with writing. The author would’ve benefitted from remembering this.

Nonetheless, four solid stars for a good book.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book!

[Jordan Salinsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nico Lang’s storytelling brought together robust stories of trans teens and their families from across the US, sharing the nuances of their identities and how it shapes their lives. It touches on the importance of gender affirming care in a time when rights are being taken away left and right. One critique is that this book focuses only on trans teens with loving, accepting families for the most part, while that is not the case for so many trans teens, who end up unhoused.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited about this book, and it did NOT disappoint! Beautifully nuanced, intersectional, and moving portraits of trans teens and their families. Lang brings so much humanity to the trans community through this project, which is exactly what transphobes try so hard to take from them. A must read for advocates and queer folk alike ‪‪❤︎‬

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish everyone would read this book - I believe it could break through the dehumanizing of trans kids happening in pur current sociopolitical climate

[Hoyt · Rating 5 out of 5]

For some background, I'm coming at this book as someone who lives in a ruby-red state, whose legislature recently passed a trans-hostile bathroom bill requiring people to use public bathrooms matching the sex they were assigned at birth. Now my trans family member no longer feels safe visiting us in this state. If only the legislators had been required to read this amazing book prior to writing and voting on their terrible bill, it might have changed some minds.

This book profiles a wide variety of kids from different regions, socioeconomic backgrounds, etc., to show some of the variety of their experiences. The common thread is they all just want to be left alone to live their lives in peace. The author approached each story with sympathy and managed to give each individual a unique voice.

This could be a very valuable book to give to friends and family members of trans kids who are having trouble understanding what is going on (without forcing the family or kid in question to have to go through explanations over and over again). And seriously, it should be required reading for all state and federal legislators before even thinking about coming up with any more anti-trans bills. Strongly recommend.

[P A-S · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an important book, and I can't wait for more people to read it.

This book is essentially a slice of life as the author follows 8 trans teenagers for a few weeks at a time. One of my favorite aspects of this book is how it's written. It's not a clinical reporting of the realities of these teens' lives. Instead, you get a real sense of the author and how they experienced being with these teens. It’s written in a way that is so alive and rich and real, which makes it so compelling and interesting to read.

Another thing that I loved about the book is that the author portrays the teens as they are. These kids were not perfect by any standard. Instead of being polished for show and to teach us something, they were messy. They didn’t say the “right” things, they were sometimes bratty, they were teenagers. I love that the author let them shine through in that way. We need to know that trans people are human, and they can be bratty messy teens and deserve every bit of happiness and safety that everyone does.

I'm so grateful that this book will soon be out in the world! It is so full of gems that I think many people will benefit from.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[Cookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this nonfiction book, award-winning journalist Nico Lang tells the stories of eight trans and nonbinary teenagers from different states. Over nine months, Lang spent time with these eight teens and their parents, learning about their trials and tribulations and their joy. Lang paints a portrait of each family, while chronicling the most recent legislation and battles for LGBTQ+ rights.

I learned about this book from a friend who is part of the families that participated in this book. I am so thankful that she sent this book my way because the book was eye-opening for me in many ways.

The most important thing I learned from this book is that trans and nonbinary people are not a monolith. They have varied experiences based on where they live, their cultural upbringing, and what kind of support they have in their families. From Florida to California and from Muslim to Christian households, the one common thread in these eight families was that the parents were doing everything they could to fight for their children.

These eight teens are lucky - I think about all those kids out there who don't have families who are supportive and who don't fight for them. It's a beautiful thing that these parents are out there advocating not only for their own children, but for all trans and nonbinary children out there.

Every time legislation is passed stripping transgender people of their rights, it can feel like it invalidates their existence, when all they want to do is to be like everyone else. These eight families show that the hurt they've experienced through the erasure, loss and isolation have made them more forgiving and compassionate towards others. Lang has showed that they can still live lives with joy and happiness and hope that one day they don't have to fight as hard.

This is a powerful book that I think everyone should read.

[Kinzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting. At first, I dislike the author going into the irrelevant details of the scene. However, I now realize that they were trying to make it like a documentary that places you in the scene and tugs at your emotions. Still not the biggest fan of it, but at least now I better understand what the author was trying to do. Also SOUTH DAKOTA MENTIONED!!! I picked up this book based on the title and didn't look into it any further before reading. Imagine my shock when the first teen interviewed is from the city I am now living in. It was fun figuring out the vaguely described locations across town. Overall I think it was a good book and could accomplish great things if read with an open mind and goal to understand the perspective of others.

[chloe (chloesnextread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

American Teenager is a powerful and deeply human account of what it means to grow up trans in today’s America. Nico Lang follows trans teens across seven states, capturing their everyday struggles and joys—wanting to go to school dances, make friends, and just be themselves—while facing a political climate that often denies them basic rights.

Lang’s writing makes it clear: these kids aren’t asking for special treatment. They just want to live normal lives without fear—something every teen deserves. The book underscores how hate is taught, and how acceptance and support from family and community can make all the difference.

This is a moving, urgent reminder that trans youth don’t need to be “fixed” or “debated”—they need to be protected, affirmed, and allowed to grow up.

[Sydney Funderburk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is coming at a time of crisis and uncertainty in America. Lang acknowledges these precarious times and informs the reader of specific events and legislation affecting trans youth, while keeping their subjects at the center of their prose. The eight individuals are shown holistically, as teens with hopes and dreams, with families and friends and loves, with problems ranging from accessing gender-confirmation surgery to experiencing homelessness to choosing which Preston Sturges film to watch next. Lang not only puts the stories to paper, but they also examine the deeper meanings behind the words and actions of the subjects and their families. Being transgender is not the most remarkable thing about these teens—it may just be their resilience in the face of oppression.

[becca✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

beautifully written, intimate portrayal of life for trans youth right now.

the book was published just last year in 2024, pre election, but still speaks to the challenges facing kids now. i think, more than anything, people making and enforcing public policy surrounding trans youth are uninformed, actively dehumanizing and misunderstanding the reality of what it’s like to be an outsider inside one’s own body.

this book serves an important purpose of attempting to reach those who don’t understand and help them see. i would recommend this book to anyone, but especially parents of trans kids fighting to understand what their children are going through.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The stories of these teens will make you smile, cry, and laugh as you might expect, but the most important thing they will do is make you think. The lesson here is a simple one, yet for some people it's very hard to understand: allow children to be children, and they will grow into adults equipped to deal with the life ahead of them. They will have the people around them they need for support, and they will know where to get help when they need it. They will be confident in themselves and ready to face challenges head-on. The families who participated in this book gave me different perspectives on that truth. This is an important read for anyone who believes in inclusion and in building better communities.

[Jack]

American Teenager explores the fight for trans rights beyond flashy headlines, instead focusing on how legislating gender identity impacts trans youth on an every-day level.

Lang visits the families of trans teenagers across the United States. They find that, for some, fighting to be accepted also means experiencing ostracization, facing new financial and health barriers, and even being forced to move across the country for safety.

By sitting with the fallout of anti-trans legislation on a person-to-person level, Lang creates compelling portraits of the trans teenage experience today, and highlights the deep consequences these policies have on some of the nation’s most vulnerable.

[Tyler Hancsak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazing stories with a very important message. Thank you Nico for living with these families and sharing their stories.

Thank you to the kids and families who were vulnerable and shared their stories with us.

While I am grateful I read this book, I just wish it delved more into everything. I want more joy, sorrow and real emotions from this book, which I seldom received. Overall, this is a phenomenal collection of stories about such brave children.

[Haunna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very seminal and important work. it takes in the breath of what it is to be an American teenager dealing with the beauty and discrimination that comes along with identifying as transgender in America given the legislation they are working against. While I did enjoy the narrative style I did find myself getting distracted and disengaged towards the end as it became a little bit tedious.

[Anne Marie D · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful exhibit of a most powerful tool: story telling. It’s artful. It’s humbling. It’s validating. It’s educational. Nico Lang’s work is just plain interesting and I highly recommend to all readers!

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Favorite quotes:

“All of our lives are fuller when transgender kids have the freedom to grow up happy and healthy, to greet the universe on their own terms, to not only tell us who they are but also show us.”

“When we look up to someone, even the faintest hint of positive attention from them can change the very course of our lives. All of us should remember that we have that power.”