Boys Run the Riot, Vol. 1 by Keito Gaku

"High schooler Ryuu knows he's transgender. But he doesn't have anyone to confide in about the confusion he feels. He can't tell his best friend, who he's secretly got a crush on, and he can't tell his mom, who's constantly asking why Ryuu is always dressing like a boy. He certainly can't tell Jin, the new transfer student who looks like just another bully. The only time Ryuu feels at ease is when he's wearing his favorite clothes. Then, and only then, the world melts away, and he can be his true self. 

One day, while out shopping, Ryuu sees an unexpected sight: Jin. The kid who looked so tough in class is shopping for the same clothes that Ryuu loves. And Jin offers Ryuu a proposal: to start their own brand and create apparel to help everyone feel comfortable in their skin. At last, Ryuu has someone he can open up to--and the journey ahead might finally give him a way to express himself to everyone else.

Boys Run The Riot is about a transgender teen named Ryuu who finds an escape from the expectations and anxieties of his daily life in the world of street fashion. This personal, heartfelt, fictional story from a Japanese transgender manga creator made waves in Japan and will inspire readers all over the world!" (goodreads.com)

This manga series is great for those who want to read books written by transgender authors that feature transgender characters. I felt the first volume moved a little fast and there could have been a little more development, but I'm excited to see how the second volume turns out!

Meghan McCabe

Youth Services Librarian

Available at the Langley-Adams Library