Woodworking

St. James debuts with the delightful story of an unlikely friendship between a closeted transgender high school teacher and her openly trans student. It’s 2016 in Mitchell, S.Dak., where Erica Skyberg, recently divorced, grudgingly presents as a man and answers to her dead name. She comes out to Abigail, 17, an out trans girl who’s new to the school, and the two form a secret bond. Abigail gives Erica nail polish and provides tips on her transition, and Erica begins to face her fears. Tensions mount when Abigail starts dating Caleb Daniels, the son of Erica’s friend Brooke, an affluent conservative Christian with whom Erica runs a community theater group. Not only is Erica’s ex-wife, Constance, a star of the show, but Brooke develops a fascination with Abigail for reasons that only come out later. With a local transphobic politician on the rise, Erica fears she’ll be outed and lose her job, and that her friendship with Abigail will be misconstrued. St. James enthralls with her depiction of what it’s like to be trans in a conservative and insular community, and the courage it takes for people to openly be themselves. This engrossing drama is a must-read. Agent: Victoria Marini, Volume Literary. (Mar.)