A bright and affirming story about a nonbinary child who learns to overcome their fears so they can attend Pride with their nonbinary grandparent.
Marley’s grandparent—their Zaza—loves Pride. Marley, however (who also uses they/them pronouns like Zaza), doesn’t like the crowds and the noise, and always finds a reason not to go. This year is different, however, since Zaza is being honored for “helping transgender folks like us.”
Marley really wants to attend, so they prepare themself with a pep talk and by packing noise-cancelling headphones, a fidget spinner, and a stuffed animal. They still worry about what-ifs, but Zaza gives them a big hug and reminds them that Pride isn’t just a party. It’s also about community and love. “You belong here. You aren’t doing this alone,” Zaza reassures them.
Marley thinks about the times when they find it hard to fit in, like when they’re the the only kid using they/them pronouns or when they “can’t choose between the boys’ and the girls’ team.” Looking around, though, they see gender-neutral bathrooms and people wearing pronoun pins. Their heart is still racing, but they realize “things might be easier here.” When Zaza lifts them onto their shoulders, above the crowds, it’s even easier, and Marley can appreciate the happiness all around them.
When another kid offers Marley a pronoun pin, Marley’s heart “does a double backflip” when they find a “they” one. They get anxious again when they realize Zaza has to leave them in order to accept the award, but several children invite Marley to join them. They all listen to Zaza’s speech about “the joys of opening our home to those in need and helping those transitioning” and about trans heroes like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. Marley’s heart swells with Pride as they listen to people in the crowd praise Zaza.
In the end, Marley thinks that Pride was “amazing,” although still a little hard and scary. “But this is my community, my family. This is where I belong,” they assert.
There’s so much to love about this story: a protagonist and speaking cast entirely of color (though some White people appear in the crowds); a trans elder mentoring a trans youth—in a grandparent-to-grandchild relationship, no less; and a message about the importance of queer community and supportive peers. Deann Wiley’s bright collage illustrations enhance Joëlle Retener’s text, further showing us the diversity (in many dimensions) of the Pride crowd.
Backmatter includes information on LGBTQIA+ terms, Marley and Zaza’s identities, pronouns, Pride flags, and the history and current celebration of Pride. There’s also a note explaining that Marley has “sensory sensitivities,” and reminding readers that this is okay and they can talk to a trusted adult if they have similar feelings.
Highly recommended.
