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A compassionate, accessible, supportive story that sees a shy heroine find new strength through the experience of her dad’s gender transition.
January 2020 Debut of the Month
There’s love, friendship and challenging prejudice aplenty in this debut novel by a LGBTQ+ parenting expert.
Introverted Izzy has just started Year 8 and is wildly excited when her favourite teacher announces auditions for a Christmas production of Guys and Dolls. Though shy, she’s come to love acting because on stage she “could be whoever I wanted.” And Izzy’s not the only member of her family who wants - and needs - to be who they really are, as she discovers when her dad tells the family he’s transgender and is about to begin transitioning. Though he gently explains, “It’s nothing to be ashamed of, it’s nothing dirty, I’m not ill”, Izzy’s older sister reacts angrily, her little brother accepts it in the same way he understands Spider Man and Peter Parker’s different identities, while Izzy feels quiet worry about how their lives will change.
The family’s journey is honestly and sensitively portrayed as they endure hurtful prejudice alongside many heart-melting moments, such as the gorgeous scene in which the three siblings think-up their new name for Dad. This is at once an important support tool for children in similar situations, and a barrier-breaking, empathy-inducing story for all.
A Note from the Author:
A few years ago, when compiling a guide for LGBT parents, I spoke with a trans woman and her adult daughter. This was one of 50 or so conversations in which I got to ask personal questions to families in similar, and very different, situations to my own. I heard some amazing stories. This woman told me about a night, many years before, when she couldn’t stop crying: afraid of losing her family, job and marriage if she told anyone who she really was, but unable to continue hiding the truth. Her daughter talked about bullying at school and friends who didn’t understand. It hadn’t been an easy journey, but now, years after transitioning, she had renewed her wedding vows, remained in her job, and become a doting grandma.
I couldn’t get this conversation out of my mind. I wondered, what had happened to get this family from crisis point back to normal life? How children growing up in a family like this navigate such changes? That was how Nothing Ever Happens Here began.
In telling the story, I wanted to show that Dee, and the other trans characters, weren’t a ‘problem’ or an ‘issue’ – they were parents, friends and colleagues, getting on with their daily lives like anyone else. And, just as importantly, to show readers that if your family seems to be a bit different from everyone else’s, it doesn’t have to define everything about who you are. The ups and downs of school, friendships and sibling relationships still continue.
We live in a society where trans people are often portrayed as a threat or an oddity. These are the perceptions that Izzy and her family have to fight, helped by the kindness of others, in order to remain strong as a family. I’m so pleased they manage it.
With all best wishes,
Sarah Hagger-Holt
This is Littlehaven. Nothing ever happens here. Until the spotlight hits my family.
Izzy's family is under the spotlight when her dad comes out as Danielle, a trans woman. Izzy is terrified her family will be torn apart. Will she lose her dad? Will her parents break up? And what will people at school say? Izzy's always been shy, but now all eyes are on her. Can she face her fears, find her voice and stand up for what's right?
A touchingly honest story about family life, tackling an important LGBTQ+ narrative told in a gentle and accessible voice that inspires discussion, understanding, and acceptance.
In addition to our Lovereading expert opinion some of our Reader Review Panel were also lucky enough to read and review this title. You can click here to read the full reviews.
I really liked this book. It was easy to read and the characters were great. Everybody’s family is different. We just have to make sure we all look out for each other. Full review
This book is very intriguing; once I started it, I couldn’t stop until I finished the whole thing. Full review
Izzy’s world is turned upside down when her Dad tells her that he is transgender. Can she still call her Dad ‘Dad’? What will her classmates think? Full review
An interesting book that talks about a transgender dad, which is dealt with in a delicate but informative way. A great read! Full review
This book is set in a quiet sleepy village called Little Haven, where, like the title says, nothing ever happens. That is until Izzy’s dad becomes the talk of the town when he becomes a trans woman. Izzy feels scared about so many things. Up until now, her best friend Grace had done all of the talking but now with this major change, it is Izzy’s turn to take charge and speak up. Full review
ISBN: 9781474966238
Publication date: 09/01/2020
Publisher: Usborne Publishing Ltd
Format: Paperback
| ISBN: | 9781474966238 |
| Publication date: | 9th January 2020 |
| Author: | Sarah Hagger-Holt |
| Publisher: | Usborne Publishing Ltd |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 272 pages |
| Suitable for: | 11+ readers, 9+ readers |
| Genres: | Family / Home Stories, General Fiction, Personal Social Health Economic , Personal Social Health Economic |
| Recommendations: | Debuts of the Month, Reviewed by Children |
Sarah Hagger-Holt lives with her partner and two daughters in Hertfordshire and is the Community Campaigns Manager for the LGBTQ+ rights charity Stonewall. She is the author of two adult non-fiction LGBTQ+ parenting books and has written for the i paper, the Huffington Post, and spoken on Radio 4's Woman's Hour about LGBTQ+ parenting. Nothing Ever Happens Here was sparked by interviews that she carried out with trans parents and their children when researching her book `Pride and Joy: A guide for lesbian, gay, bi and trans parents', where she was struck by the contrast between their honest, complex stories ...
More About Sarah Hagger-Holt
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