THE RIGHT BLESSING

A Jewish trans girl longs for her family to see her as she truly is.

Nine-year-old Joey adores playing make-believe, drawing in chalk on the playground, and hanging out with her friends. But something troubles her. She wants her family “to know what I feel in my heart—that I’m really a girl!” On Shabbat dinner each week, Dad gives Joey and her siblings blessings—the boys’ blessing for Joey and her brother, Leo, and the girls’ blessing for her sister, Janie. Tonight, though, when Dad begins to bless Joey, she withdraws, too upset to tell her parents what she feels. But the next day, she opens up, and Mom and Dad respond with love and tenderness. Joey starts to feel comfortable and safe in her home. Ready to transition at school, Joey finally asks Dad to give her the girls’ Shabbat blessing, which Janie is happy to share. The authors have crafted an affectionate yet realistic portrait of a family who make a few mistakes along the way but whose love and support for their child is never in doubt. Tobacco depicts characters with big, expressive eyes, perfect for the book’s most emotional scenes. Most pages feature sidewalk chalk–influenced details, including dark squiggly lines to convey Joey’s anger and sadness. Her rich fantasy life figures prominently, too, as when she imagines herself as a superhero and a princess, announcing her identity to her family. Joey and her family are pale-skinned.

Important and affirming.