In Transition - (Children's Literature Association) by Emily Corbett (Hardcover)

About the Book

"The first book-length work of its kind, In Transition: Young Adult Literature and Transgender Representation examines the shift in the young adult book market towards increased representation of transgender characters and authors. Through a comprehensive exploration of historical conventions, genres, character diversity, and ideologies of trans representation, Emily Corbett traces the roots of trans literature from its beginnings in a cisgender-dominated publishing world to the recent rise in trans creators, characters, and implied readers. Corbett describes how trans-ness was initially perceived as an issue to be overcome by cisgender authors and highlights the ways in which the market has changed. Through careful analysis of texts that have until now received little scholarly attention, Corbett weaves together different theoretical approaches and fields of study to provide a map of the textual and cultural histories of this twenty-first-century publishing phenomenon. Focusing on trans authorship, authentic storytelling, and intersectional diversity, this book charts changing public attitudes, the YA book market, and the unique sociocultural moment in which these books are published. In Transition contributes new perspectives on the intersections of adolescence and trans-ness and sheds light on a dynamic subset of YA literature that has yet to receive sustained analysis"--

Book Synopsis

The first book-length work of its kind, In Transition: Young Adult Literature and Transgender Representation examines the shift in the young adult book market towards increased representation of transgender characters and authors. Through a comprehensive exploration of historical conventions, genres, character diversity, and ideologies of trans representation, Emily Corbett traces the roots of trans literature from its beginnings in a cisgender-dominated publishing world to the recent rise in trans creators, characters, and implied readers. Corbett describes how trans-ness was initially perceived as an issue to be overcome by cisgender authors and highlights the ways in which the market has changed.

Through careful analysis of texts that have until now received little scholarly attention, Corbett weaves together different theoretical approaches and fields of study to provide a map of the textual and cultural histories of this twenty-first-century publishing phenomenon. Focusing on trans authorship, authentic storytelling, and intersectional diversity, this book charts changing public attitudes, the YA book market, and the unique sociocultural moment in which these books are published. In Transition contributes new perspectives on the intersections of adolescence and trans-ness and sheds light on a dynamic subset of YA literature that has yet to receive sustained analysis.

Review Quotes

Corbett's encyclopedic knowledge of trans YA literature buoys her close readings of C.B. Lee's Not Your Villain (2017), Akwaeke Emezi's Pet (2019), and other works, providing an incisive overview of trends in trans representation over the past twenty years. This perceptive inquiry enthralls.-- "Publishers Weekly"

Emily Corbett unravels a vast archive of contemporary trans YA literature published in the UK and the US. The myriad theoretical approaches and impeccable close readings are sure to delight readers.--Libe García Zarranz, author of TransCanadian Feminist Fictions: New Cross-Border Ethics

About the Author

Emily Corbett is a lecturer at Goldsmiths, University of London, specializing in children's and young adult literature. She also serves as general editor for the International Journal of Young Adult Literature.