"A compassionate, accessible, supportive story that sees a shy heroine find new strength through the experience of her dad’s gender transition."
January 2020 Debut of the Month
There’s love, friendship and challenging prejudice aplenty in this debut novel by a LGBTQ+ parenting expert.
Introverted Izzy has just started Year 8 and is wildly excited when her favourite teacher announces auditions for a Christmas production of Guys and Dolls. Though shy, she’s come to love acting because on stage she “could be whoever I wanted.” And Izzy’s not the only member of her family who wants - and needs - to be who they really are, as she discovers when her dad tells the family he’s transgender and is about to begin transitioning. Though he gently explains, “It’s nothing to be ashamed of, it’s nothing dirty, I’m not ill”, Izzy’s older sister reacts angrily, her little brother accepts it in the same way he understands Spider Man and Peter Parker’s different identities, while Izzy feels quiet worry about how their lives will change.
The family’s journey is honestly and sensitively portrayed as they endure hurtful prejudice alongside many heart-melting moments, such as the gorgeous scene in which the three siblings think-up their new name for Dad. This is at once an important support tool for children in similar situations, and a barrier-breaking, empathy-inducing story for all.
| Suitable For: | |
| Other Genres: | |
| Recommendations: |
We've got some great stuff related to this book in our KidsZone.
Head over there and check it out now.
I really liked this book. It was easy to read and the characters were great. Everybody’s family is different. We just have to make sure we all look out for each other.
I liked the cover of this book, it’s really colourful. It was easy to read. The chapters were quite short and the way it was written it made you want to keep turning the pages.
Izzy is in year 8 and her and her best friend Grace have got lead parts in the school play, so they have lots to learn and do.
Then Izzy's dad calls a family meeting and drops a bit of a bombshell. He is transgender and is going to transition. I don’t really know much about this, but I learned lots.... Read Full Review
This book is very intriguing; once I started it, I couldn’t stop until I finished the whole thing.
This book is about 12-year-old Izzy, who lives in a very quiet town. Until her dad, Daniel gets his family together and tells them his surprising news: he’s actually a woman. A trans woman, that is.
Now, Izzy’s family is, until now, quite regular. They have homework struggles, teenage mood swings and friendship ups and downs, but until the spotlight hit the Palmers, life was pretty normal.
Daniel Palmer becomes Danielle Palmer and trouble arises at school. Izzy gets picked for one of the main roles in her school play, with her favourite teacher, and her best friend Grace gets the other star part. However, Sam, Grace’s crush, is playing the boyfriend of Izzy’s character. So far, so good.... Read Full Review
Izzy’s world is turned upside down when her Dad tells her that he is transgender. Can she still call her Dad ‘Dad’? What will her classmates think?
This book is about Izzy, her family, her friendships and her days at school. At first, you think this is a story about ordinary life but then Izzy’s world is turned upside down when her Dad tells her that he is transgender. Does this mean she no longer has a Dad? Can she still call her Dad ‘Dad’? What will her friends and classmates think?
I had heard about transgender before but I didn’t know much. The book asks questions you might be thinking and will help people understand more. I read this book with my mum so we could talk about it. Although the story is about Izzy’s Dad, it would also be good to read for anyone dealing with a big change or who is feeling different, as it shows how Izzy turns her fear into bravery.... Read Full Review
