Kyle Lukoff

Atransgender boy anticipates his new job as a big brother by helping his parents prepare for his baby sibling’s arrival.

Aidan “felt trapped” in his old name, clothes, and room before he told his parents “what he knew about himself.” Some girls never wore dresses, “but Aidan didn’t feel like any kind of girl” because he was “another kind of boy.” With his parents’ support, he embraces his identity and takes on a new, important role, becoming a big brother. More than show more anything, he wants the baby to feel loved and understood. This picture book sets a new standard of excellence in transgender representation by centering the feelings of Aidan, a biracial (black and South Asian) transgender boy. Juanita’s (Ta-Da!, 2018) digital illustrations have the look of ink and watercolor, and they bring the love in Aidan’s family to life. Bright, mixed patterns in Aidan’s clothes capture the vibrancy of his personality and his excitement to welcome a baby into the family. Lukoff (A Storytelling of Ravens, 2018) breaks away from binary language and stereotypical gender roles, highlighting within the text and in an author’s note that there is more than one way to be a person of any gender. The hopeful message at the end emphasizes love and the importance of staying open to learning.

Joyful and affirming, Aidan’s story is the first of its kind among books for welcoming a new baby. (Picture book. 3-7)

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middlegrade fiction with nonbinary and trans characters - 6th grader Annabelle thinks she might have a crush on new kid Bailey, whom her parents react strangely towards; their new teacher tries to create a more inclusive curriculum (climate change! social justice! a more diverse view of history!) but encounters parental resistance. The author is a trans male who relied on many of his connections with the trans and LGBTQAIP+ community; setting is a suburban town near Seattle similar to one show more where the author lived.

There is so much in here, and I loved all the messy layers of complexity (members of the queer community not always being supportive of one another, creating lasting trauma; the feelings of a questioning youth when deciding who they might come out to) and all the thought that went into making this a good story and an effective argument for inclusivity and understanding. Annabelle hadn't been exposed to much of the queer community so it is easy to relate to her (even if you think you know some, there's still a lot of folks you can learn from). Her experiences, and what she learns from her parents and friends, are full of thought-provoking content that provides plenty of new ideas to foster a healthy discussion, so this would be a great one for parents/caretakers to read alongside their kids if they have questions or just need someone to talk to as they process it all. show less

A's parents drag him to SOSAD, an anti-trans group where A makes friends with Yarrow and Sal. But when SOSAD's leader Joanna sends Yarrow "away," and a golem made out of swirling trash appears to A, A sets out on a mission to save Yarrow. A's journey takes him to an underground safe house with other queer kids, his family's former synagogue, a doctor's office that isn't, a used clothing shop, a politician's office, and finally the Galbraith institute, where demons feed on trans kids until show more their light is extinguished.

Jewish mythology is woven throughout this high-stakes adventure/fantasy novel, as well as Jewish lessons, teachings, and stories (e.g. saving one life is equal to saving a whole world; you are not required to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it). A is a flawed hero who demands much from the people around him; Sal calls him out for seeing her as a sidekick, and misgendering Yarrow (who prefers not to use pronouns). But A is also determined to help Yarrow and other trans kids, and is strong enough to insist on his identity to his parents when he returns to them on Yom Kippur.

A challenging, engaging read.

Quotes

My mom believed that giving me strong female role models meant that I would grow up without the sexist garbage she had internalized, but all I came away with were binding tips and daydreams of running away. (40)

I had been chosen. I was special. (40)

It had been so long since "tomorrow" held anything different than "today" or "yesterday." Thinking about the future with hope instead of dread felt like a muscle I hadn't used in years, and I didn't know how to flex it. (107)

"...the chasm between the world that is and the world that should be is spanned by a dangerously narrow bridge." (Rabbi Singer, 141)

"Let her find her own way. You two are on different journeys, and there is much you need to learn." (Zev, 154)

"No one can do everything." (golem, 218)

I was prepared to fight, but not to defend myself. (256)

"Bonds formed through struggle are both stronger and more fragile than any other..." (golem, 261)

"I am here for you...No one else. Your questions and your protests prove that far more than any degree of thoughtless obedience." (golem, 264)

"No one is ever the right person to change the course of history. No one should have to be." (golem, 264)

"You can't do everything by yourself, and you shouldn't have to." (Sal, 286)

People pray for help in all kinds of dire situations, and that help only comes sometimes. (298)

"Perhaps no one knows the answers as to why you, why here, why now. But it is you, and here, and now. And that must be enough." (golem, 308) show less

A14-year-old Ashkenazi Jewish transgender boy harnesses supernatural powers and pursues his world-saving destiny.

Every week, A Izenson’s parents drag him to Save Our Sons and Daughters, a conversion-therapy group for families with transgender youth. Not many teens last long there before they disappear for “further treatment.” After Greek American group member Yarrow, one of A’s only friends, meets this fate, A sneaks over to Yarrow’s house to find out what happened. When he’s show more caught eavesdropping on Yarrow’s parents, a being made of garbage sweeps in to aid his escape. The creature describes itself as a golem, though its origins are a mystery. All the golem knows is that it awoke to help A fulfill his destiny to save Yarrow—and the world—before the end of Yom Kippur. At first, A is certain the golem has chosen the wrong person. But when he rescues his friend Sal, a white butch lesbian trans girl, from a demon who tries to devour her during a SOSAD meeting, he not only embraces his power, but also starts to see himself as a hero and Sal as his sidekick. Lukoff both explores and then subverts the chosen-one trope through A’s battle with his personal demons. The story is set in 2023, and the fantasy conflict is grounded in serious real-world problems—the ongoing impact of Covid-19, alarming rates of homelessness and suicide among LGBTQ+ youth, and anti-trans legislation. The resolution is both honest and hopeful.

Powerful and awakening. (note on research, note on resources) (Fantasy. 10-14)

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