If I Was Your Girl

Reach for this book when your teenager is navigating the high stakes of vulnerability, seeking a sense of belonging, or beginning to understand the weight of keeping secrets in order to fit in. While the story focuses on a transgender experience, its emotional core speaks to any young person who fears that being truly known will lead to being rejected. It is a powerful tool for building empathy and discussing the courage it takes to be authentic. Amanda Hardy is the new girl at a small-town high school, determined to keep her past as a boy named Andrew a secret. As she falls for the kind and easygoing Grant, she must decide if the safety of her secret is worth the cost of never being fully seen. This story offers a compassionate look at identity and first love, making it an ideal choice for older teens exploring their own selfhood or parents looking to open a dialogue about inclusion and the transgender experience. It provides a hopeful, realistic perspective on resilience.