Kyle Lukoff

Kyle Lukoff is an author and former school librarian who writes books for children and young adults, with a focus on LGBTQ+ themes and experiences. His work includes picture books, middle-grade novels, and educational resources that explore gender identity, inclusion, and growing up. Lukoff's most widely recognized book is "Too Bright to See," a middle-grade ghost story that won a Newbery Honor and Stonewall Book Award in 2022. The novel follows a transgender boy during the summer before middle school as he navigates grief, identity, and a haunted house. His picture books include "When Aidan Became a Brother" and "Call Me Max," which feature transgender protagonists and have been used in elementary school settings. These works have received recognition from the American Library Association and various LGBTQ+ literary organizations. Prior to becoming a full-time writer, Lukoff worked as a school librarian in New York City and drew from his professional experience with young readers to inform his writing. He frequently speaks at schools, libraries, and conferences about LGBTQ+ literature for young people and the importance of diverse representation in children's books.

Readers consistently appreciate Lukoff's handling of transgender themes with sensitivity and authenticity. His books receive high marks for age-appropriate discussions of gender identity. What readers liked: - Clear, straightforward language that children can understand - Characters that feel real and relatable - Respectful treatment of family dynamics - Educational value for both children and parents What readers disliked: - Some find the messaging too direct or instructional - Conservative parents object to LGBTQ+ themes for young readers - A few note the stories can feel message-driven rather than plot-driven Ratings across platforms: - "Too Bright to See": 4.2/5 on Goodreads (6,000+ ratings) - "When Aidan Became a Brother": 4.5/5 on Amazon (500+ ratings) - "Call Me Max": 4.3/5 on Goodreads (1,000+ ratings) From a parent on Goodreads: "Finally, a book that helped my child feel seen and gave us language to discuss gender identity as a family." From a teacher: "These books fill a crucial gap in children's literature and spark meaningful classroom discussions."

Too Bright to See - A middle-grade novel about a transgender boy navigating grief, identity, and a haunted house during the summer before starting middle school.

When Aidan Became a Brother - A picture book following a transgender boy preparing for the arrival of his new sibling while reflecting on his own journey of self-discovery.

Call Me Max - A picture book depicting a transgender boy's experiences at school as he shares his identity with teachers and classmates.

Max on the Farm - A picture book following Max's adventures during a class field trip to a farm where he learns about animals and friendship.

Different Kinds of Fruit - A middle-grade novel about a sixth-grader whose understanding of identity expands when a nonbinary student joins the class and she learns about her father's past.

If You're a Kid Like Gavin - A picture book biography of transgender activist Gavin Grimm and his fight for equal rights in school.

Alex Gino They write middle-grade novels featuring transgender and LGBTQ+ characters, including the groundbreaking book "Melissa" (formerly published as "George"). Their work addresses similar themes of identity and acceptance that appear in Lukoff's books.

Kacen Callender They write across age categories with books like "Felix Ever After" and "King and the Dragonflies" that explore intersections of gender, sexuality, and race. Their characters navigate personal identity while dealing with family relationships and everyday life challenges.

Ashley Herring Blake She writes both middle-grade and young adult books featuring LGBTQ+ characters discovering themselves. Her work includes ghost stories and coming-of-age narratives that deal with family dynamics and self-discovery.

Lisa Bunker She writes middle-grade fiction featuring transgender characters and explores themes of identity and family relationships. Her books "Felix Yz" and "Zenobia July" combine elements of science fiction and realistic fiction while addressing gender identity.

Meredith Russo She writes young adult novels about transgender teens navigating high school, relationships, and identity. Her books "If I Was Your Girl" and "Birthday" draw from authentic experiences to tell stories about transgender youth.