Jack (Not Jackie)

Silverman offers a perspective on gender dysphoria through the eyes of an older sister. Susan, whose tastes tend toward fairy wings, tutus, and unicorns, is disappointed that sibling Jackie prefers mud puddles and pants over sparkles and dresses. Susan and Jackie’s mother supports Jackie from the get-go: “That’s okay. She can wear whatever feels right.” After getting a short haircut, Jackie announces, “I am a boy!” Susan mourns the sister she thought she had—and then realizes that whether Jack or Jackie, she can love her sibling for who they are. Hatam illustrates in warm collages filled with playfully mismatched, cheerful patterns. While the book seems to portray gender as binary, an author’s note provides a more inclusive perspective. An empathic depiction of how unconditional love sometimes means tweaking expectations. Ages 4–8. [em](Oct.) [/em]