Nothing Ever Happens Here
by Sarah Hagger-Holt
Interest age: 11 to 14
Reading age: 10+
Published by Usborne, 2020
About this book
Nothing ever happens in the small town of Littlehaven. Or does it?
12 year old Izzy was lacking confidence before she met her best friend Grace. Now they are inseparable and she can cope. Settled safely into second year of senior school, she even feels brave enough to audition for the school play. Then her father reveals that he is transgender. Suddenly Izzy’s world is wobbling. What will this mean for the family’s future? What will people say at school? Will things ever be normal again?
The book sees Izzy, her siblings and her parents gradually acclimatise to the new normal, dealing with a few unfavourable reactions along the way, but also finding support in some unlikely places. True friendship and love win through, and the family finds itself both stronger and prouder.
Where LGBT rights are concerned, the author’s own experience, passion and knowledge permeate through every page whilst never preaching. This is a highly readable, touchingly honest and deeply uplifting book that everyone should read.
More books like this
-
Just Like Everyone Else
by Sarah Hagger-Holt
9 to 14 years
-
Proud of Me
by Sarah Hagger-Holt
9 to 14 years
-
My Perfect Cousin
by Karen McCombie, illustrated by Sofia Miller Salazar
11 to 14 years
-
On the Wall
by Anne Fine
9 to 14 years
Lists of recommended reads
-
Books about politics, freedom of choice, and the big issues - for secondary school aged children
These books are a great way to get secondary school aged children engaged with issues of politics and human rights. From historical fiction and non-fiction addressing times of great political upheaval and human tragedy, to contemporary stories examining the issues of today, all of these books can be read individually or as a class.
-
Kindness, compassion and empathy: middle grade
Help your child develop kindness and empathy with these middle grade books that inspire compassion: whether that’s towards animals, friends, or people in very different situations to your own.
-
Teen books with LGBTQ+ characters
Representation is so important, both for teens who are themselves LGBTQ+ and also for others to gain more empathy and understanding. These books for teens all feature lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender characters and relationships.