American Teenager

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 debate: 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.

Norris is clever, cynical, and quite possibly too smart for his own good. A Black French Canadian, he knows from watching American sitcoms that those three things don’t bode well when you are moving to Texas. Plunked into a new high school, Norris finds himself cataloging everyone he meets: the Cheerleaders, the Jocks, the Loners, and even the Manic Pixie Dream Girl. Making a ton of friends has never been a priority for him, and this way he can at least amuse himself until it’s time to go back to Canada, where he belongs. Yet those labels soon become actual people to Norris....

"The American Teenager" offers a vivid exploration of the teenage experience in America through the eyes of Nick. Presented as a memoir, the book captures the essence of adolescence from documenting Nick's turbulent school days and exhilarating adventures with his close friends. This engaging narrative balances simplicity with depth, portraying the trials and triumphs of teenage life. It celebrates the spirit of youth, emphasizing the freedom and spontaneity that come with having little responsibilities.