too bright to see written by kyle lukoff

A hopeful examination of grief and gender, and a good ghost story to boot. Lukoff navigates Bug's journey of identity and discovery with grace, welcoming.

a nuanced and compelling exploration of gender, friendship, and family.' - Booklist, starred review * 'Lukoff's three primary themes-gender identity, grief, and ghostly hauntings-work in elegant harmony despite the load. ' - Publishers Weekly, starred review * 'Equal parts unsettling, heartwarming, and satisfying. Through Bug's journey to self-realization and self-acceptance, and the wonderfully nuanced understanding of gender he comes to, Lukoff provides a tender rumination on grief, love, and identity. ' - Kirkus, starred review * ' Smart and thought-provoking. ' - The New York Times Book Review * 'This coming-of-age and coming-out story takes a needed departure from other stories about transgender youth.A chilling, suspenseful ghost story balances the intimate, introspective narrative style. It will almost certainly be banned in many places, but your child almost certainly needs to read it. A lovely story in every way-the descriptive details, the quietly affirming sensibility-keenly captures the feeling of dysphoria, the certainty of self-knowledge, and the beauty of family and friends who see and accept the truth of Bug’s identity both matter-of-factly and with love.LONGLISTED FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD Six starred reviews 'This book is a gentle, glowing wonder, full of love and understanding, full of everything any of us would wish for our children.

For Bug, expressing the truth that he’s a boy brings comfort in his own skin for the first time in memory. Pondering everything, including the stranger Bug sometimes see when looking in the mirror, Bug finally realizes that Uncle Roderick wanted Bug to know it’s ok to be yourself.

Bug, white, has always felt awkward, but knows a makeover isn’t the answer to figuring out being a girl. Uncle Roderick was an out gay man and a drag queen, but Bug begins to wonder: Had Uncle Roderick been transgender and afraid to come out? Meanwhile, Bug’s best friend Moira has discovered makeup and boys and wants to give Bug a makeover before the start of sixth grade, despite Bug’s disinterest. While snooping in Uncle Roderick’s room to figure out what that might be, Bug finds pamphlets about what it means to be transgender. It was Uncle Roderick who taught Bug about ghosts, so when spooky things start happening–doors open and close, objects moved around–Bug suspects it’s Uncle Roderick, trying to communicate something important. Bug and Bug’s mom are grieving Bug’s Uncle Roderick, who lived with them and recently passed away after a long illness.

Too bright to see written by kyle lukoff