Kyle Lukoff has already received acclaim for his picture books, including his #OwnVoices 2020 Stonewall Award-winning When Aidan Became a Brother. Lukoff's middle-grade debut, Too Bright to See, is another illuminating story that explores gender identity, featuring a trans tween who's finally ready to "see myself in the mirror," and declare, "It's me. Just me."
Infant Bug, Bug's Mom and Mom's brother Roderick left New York City and moved to the family's rural vacation home after an accident killed Bug's father 11 years ago. In the Vermont house, the living share space with ghosts: "Uncle Roderick always told me that passing spirits and lingering presences are a normal part of living in a house almost as old as the dirt it sits on." But now Uncle Roderick has died at just 32, leaving both Bug and Mom feeling untethered.
Middle school looms, and Bug's best-and-only-friend, Mo, now wants to be called Moira. She's worried about makeup, clothes, new friends and--suddenly--boys. Bug, meanwhile, doesn't have the words to explain why everything doesn't seem to fit. Bug has never needed Uncle Roderick more... and perhaps, Uncle Roderick hasn't departed quite yet. Or won't, at least, until Bug has heard Roderick's message loud and clear: "Be you."
Clearly aware of his middle-grade audience, Lukoff creates an accepting world for Bug with supportive family, friends and school administration. He balances that kindness with brief, realistic references to other less-fortunate LGBTQIA+ youth who are bullied, even abandoned. While gender identity remains prominent throughout, Lukoff also combines pitch-perfect adolescent angst, evolving friendships and spooky encounters to create a welcoming story accessible to young readers of all backgrounds. --Terry Hong, Smithsonian BookDragon