Too Bright to See

March 1, 2021
In the wake of his uncle's death, a transgender boy on the cusp of middle school grapples with grief, friendship, and identity. Bug lives in a haunted house, but the ghosts of long ago never bothered him before this summer. Then Uncle Roderick, who was gay, passed away, and now the house feels different with just Bug and his mom left. Usually he would spend a month away at camp, the only place he feels connected to a group, but money is tight this year. When a ghost begins following Bug and his dreams turn to nightmares, he searches for answers about who is haunting him and why. As the ghostly mystery unfolds over the course of the summer, Bug struggles with new tension with his best friend, Moira, a girl whose interest in the duo's reinventing themselves in middle school feels overwhelming and full of expectations he doesn't know how to meet. This coming-of-age and coming-out story takes a needed departure from other stories about transgender youth by illuminating the perspective of a young person who does not initially know how to identify his discomfort. The narrative pushes against gendered stereotypes about interests like sports and makeup, challenging restricting ideas about gender and self-expression. A chilling, suspenseful ghost story balances the intimate, introspective narrative style. Most of the characters are White, including Bug, his family, and Moira. Haunting and healing. (author's note) (Fiction. 8-12)

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Starred review from April 1, 2021

Gr 4-7-Lukoff's (When Aidan Became a Brother) middle grade debut is a deeply empathetic exploration of grief and gender identity through the eyes of Bug. The summer before Bug starts middle school, things are rough. Bug's beloved Uncle Roderick passed away from a difficult illness and the family business is in trouble. Bug's longtime best friend is excited about makeup and boys, but these things don't resonate with Bug, and a rift begins to form between the friends. With all this change and grief comes a much different problem: Bug is being haunted, and not by the innocuous spirits that typically inhabit their home. Lukoff's three primary themes-gender identity, grief, and ghostly hauntings-work in elegant harmony despite the load. Lukoff navigates Bug's journey of identity and discovery with grace, welcoming readers in so they can learn along with Bug in real time. Those readers focusing more on the haunting aspects of the story won't be disappointed and can expect multiple goosebump-worthy moments. In a brief author's note, Lukoff provides guidance in regards to both Bug (pronouns, etc.) and the book when recommending it to others. While some potential readers may hesitate at mixing ghosts and gender, Lukoff's portrayal is sensitive, hopeful, and effective. The cast generally adheres to the white default; Bug's family and classmates share diverse LGBTQIA+ identities. VERDICT A hopeful examination of grief and gender, and a good ghost story to boot. Recommended as a first purchase for all libraries.-Taylor Worley, Springfield P.L., OR

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2021
Grades 4-7 *Starred Review* Bug's best friend Moira is spending the summer before middle school learning all about makeup and fashion and deciding which boys will be cute enough to flirt with. But Bug is not interested in any of those things. Bug is far too distracted by a death in the family, the fact that their old house in rural Vermont is haunted, and the confusion and discomfort they feel over the thought of being a girl. When a particular ghostly presence starts to target Bug, Bug needs to figure out who or what it might be and what they want. In his middle-grade debut, Lukoff (When Aidan Became a Brother, 2019) crafts a sensitive, haunting exploration of a white transgender child's journey to self-discovery, capturing all the vulnerability, discomfort, humor, and complicated emotions along the way. Equal parts unsettling, heartwarming, and satisfying, Too Bright to See is a nuanced and compelling exploration of gender, friendship, and family seen through the eyes of a courageous young protagonist.

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