cover image I’m Not a Girl

I’m Not a Girl

Maddox Lyons and Jessica Verdi, illus. by Dana Simpson. Roaring Brook, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 978-0-374-31068-4

Picture day, princess costumes, long hair, and pink winter coats feel wrong to Hannah, but it’s hard to make people understand why: “I know girls are really cool. I’m just not one.” But new friends offer unexpected support: “We believe you... you’re like our cousin. Our family thought she was a boy, but she’s actually a girl... she’s transgender.” Armed with that word, Hannah finally says “all the things I didn’t know how to say before.” Lyons, a 12-year-old trans boy, shares his story in clear, relatable language, sensitively assisted by Verdi and capably supported by Simpson’s simple, emotive illustrations (throughout, the protagonist’s green eyes express frustration, anxiety, and, finally, happiness). In a note, Lyons’s mother shares that he wrote this book to fill a gap “for and about kids like him.” Includes a list of notable transgender individuals and additional resources for families. Ages 3–6. [em](Aug.) [/em]