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In this suprisingly funny, hugely heartfelt novel from a Stonewall Award winner, an eight-grader's life is turned upside down when she learns her dad is transgender
Annabelle Blake fully expects this school year to be the same as every other: same teachers, same classmates, same, same, same. So she's elated to discover there's a new kid in town. Bailey, who is non-binary, is Annabelle's first ever queer friend, despite the fact that they attend a close-knit school just outside Seattle.
When Bailey and Annabelle's idea of hosting a LGBTQ+ panel is shot down by the principle, Annabelle starts to realize that the community she thought was so open minded might be more closed off than she realized. Worse, it seems like her own dad might be part of the problem.
Just when Annabelle thinks she has this whole allyship thing down, her dad throws her for a loop by revealing a truth that makes Annabelle sees herself and her family in a whole new light.
About the author
Kyle Lukoff
Summary
In this funny and hugely heartfelt novel from the Newbery Honor-winning author of Too Bright to See, a sixth-grader's life is turned upside down when she learns her dad is trans
Annabelle Blake fully expects this school year to be the same as every other: same teachers, same classmates, same, same, same. So she’s elated to discover there’s a new kid in town. To Annabelle, Bailey is a breath of fresh air. She loves hearing about their life in Seattle, meeting their loquacious (and kinda corny) parents, and hanging out at their massive house. And it doesn’t hurt that Bailey has a cute smile, nice hands (how can someone even have nice hands?) and smells really good.
Suddenly sixth grade is anything but the same. And when her irascible father shares that he and Bailey have something big--and surprising--in common, Annabelle begins to see herself, and her family, in a whole new light. At the same time she starts to realize that her community, which she always thought of as home, might not be as welcoming as she had thought. Together Annabelle, Bailey, and their families discover how these categories that seem to mean so much—boy, girl, gay, straight, fruit, vegetable—aren’t so clear-cut after all.
Additional text
★ “Lukoff reflects diversity in the world around Annabelle while also heightening her awareness of spaces that are not as inclusive as they claim to be and exploring what to do with that understanding. Inquisitive, engaged, and action-seeking.” – Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ “Lukoff offers a story with vivid, well-rounded characters that never talks down to kids… Themes of inclusion and privilege in today's society are seamlessly integrated into the familiar plot of a kid's first crush, and the focus on the great ways that communities can come together to keep everyone within it safe is a gratifying through line.” – Booklist, starred review
“Bighearted and affirming.” – Publishers Weekly
“A brave title for a time when we need brave books for kids more than ever." – Betsy Bird, A Fuse #8 Production
