Author(s): Ian Hoffman; Sarah Hoffman; Chris Case (Illustrator)

Being Yourself

Jacob--star of one of the most banned books of the decade according to the American Library Association--is back in his third book and ready to put on a school play While learning their lines and making their costumes, Jacob's class finds itself unexpectedly struggling with identity, and what it means to be "he," "she," or "they." Jacob's School Play is an engaging way to introduce young readers to non-binary people and the pronoun options available to us all. Learning that individuals are more nuanced than how others see them is a developmentally important milestone, and helps foster respect of one's self and one's peers.

"Making space for everyone is no small task. Seeing one another, asking the right questions, and honoring how each person walks through the world is something learned, but not often enough taught... this is not a book about conflict or being accepted by others for who you are. It's about classmates each embracing that their experience is not the only experience and that every person fits beautifully into this world in their own way. I'm so grateful that children in every classroom will have the opportunity to see themselves and their friends represented in Jacob's School Play. That's so needed and so beautifully done in this book."--Matthew Winner, The Children's Book Podcast

Praise for Jacob's Room to Choose:
Mentioned in The Wall Street Journal
ALA Rainbow Book List Selection
Recommended by Psychology Today
"An empowering and uplifting tale...perfect icebreaker for young students to have meaningful conversations about gender identity and community."--The Advocate

November 2021