Rosie and Penn Walsh are parents to five boys, the youngest of whom is Claude. At age three, Claude transitions from wearing dresses at home to declaring his intention to be a girl named Poppy when he grows up. The family relocates from Wisconsin to Seattle to provide Poppy a fresh start where her history is unknown. As Poppy enters middle school, the family navigates the medical and social complexities of puberty blockers while maintaining a collective secret that creates tension among the siblings and within their community.
Parents and educators read this book to understand the logistical and emotional realities of raising a transgender child within a large family unit. The narrative provides a detailed look at how secrets impact sibling dynamics and the specific challenges of navigating healthcare and school systems. Readers walk away with a practical perspective on supporting a child’s gender identity while balancing the needs of an entire household. The story offers a framework for handling the evolution of identity alongside the everyday chaos of domestic life.
Inward-looking and contemplative; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Empathetic Explorer. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2017
- Language
- EN
