Totally Joe

Reach for this book when your child is starting to ask questions about identity, social hierarchies, or what it means to be true to oneself in the face of peer pressure. It is an ideal choice for a middle-schooler who feels like an outsider or is witnessing the shift toward more complex social dynamics and romantic interests in their peer group. Through an alphabiography school assignment, twelve year old Joe navigates the realities of being a gay seventh grader with humor and refreshing honesty. The story tackles bullying and labels directly but maintains a hopeful, lighthearted tone that celebrates individuality. It is a secular and supportive look at self-discovery that helps parents and children discuss kindness, the harm of name-calling, and the importance of finding a supportive 'tribe.'