Nine-year-old Sam and his older sister, Maggie, don’t always get along. Maggie can be bossy and irritating. But when Sam is crying after school one day, Maggie is quick to comfort him. “Isabel, what’s wrong?” Kids at school were talking about the differences between boys and girls, and Sam worries that he was “born wrong.” Everyone—including Maggie—thinks that Sam is a girl. That night, Sam confides in Maggie, telling her that he’s always been a boy, and his name isn’t Isabel. It’s Sam. With Maggie’s support, Sam comes out to his parents, who are supportive while acknowledging that the family will “have a lot to learn, together.” Sam’s feelings are appropriately centered in this intentional but loving coming-out story in which readers refreshingly meet brown-skinned Sam as Sam before learning that he is transgender. (Ages 5–7)

Nobody knew Sam was a boy except for him. Sam loves riding his bike and learning about the American Revolution. He is full of laughter and joy. There's just one problem: Sam's family knows him as a girl named Isabel. Sam feels a sense of relief when he finally confides in his annoying but caring sister Maggie, and then his parents, even though it takes them a while to feel comfortable with it. But with lots of love and support, Sam and his family learn and grow through Sam's journey to embrace his true self. In the vein of I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel, Sam is based on a true story. With a note from the author explaining their family's experience, Sam is an important addition to a list of books that help children and adults discuss gender identity.