Calvin

Gr 1-2–“For as long as I could remember, I knew I was a boy.” This opening line places a young child in the center of his story about gender identity and courage. Just before going on a family trip to visit his grandparents, the boy (who chooses not to share his name until the end of the story) faces his fears and his “what-ifs” and tells his parents (his father is dark-skinned, and his mother appears white) that he is not a girl as they had thought since birth. The boy is affirmed and supported by all those who love him, and he has a wonderful summer making new friends and wearing the clothes in which he feels most comfortable. A new haircut helps him see himself more accurately, but the feeling of isolation and the “what ifs” are front and center in his thoughts the night before the school year begins. With some deep breathing and his parents by his side, the boy goes to school only to find that he is accepted for who he is, that being Calvin is his truth, and that speaking that truth makes the “what-ifs” melt away. The bright and engaging illustrations capture Calvin’s emotional journey very effectively and feature a diverse community. The author’s note is affirming and acknowledges the experiences of the authors who are parents of two children, one of whom identifies as transgender. This is an optimistic, almost idyllic, story of a young person being accepted for who they are and should be the experience that all children experience as they are discovering and sharing their truths.