Different Kinds of Fruit

Ages 10 to 14, Grades 5 to 9

In this funny and hugely heartfelt novel from a National Book Award finalist, a sixth-grader’s life is turned upside down when she learns her dad is trans

Annabelle Blake fully expects this school year to be the same as every other: same teachers, same classmates, same, same, same. So she’s elated to discover there’s a new kid in town. To Annabelle, Bailey is a breath of fresh air. She loves hearing about their life in Seattle, meeting their loquacious (and kinda corny) parents, and hanging out at their massive house. And it doesn’t hurt that Bailey has a cute smile, nice hands (how can someone even have nice hands?) and smells really good.

Suddenly sixth grade is anything but the same. And when her irascible father shares that he and Bailey have something big—and surprising—in common, Annabelle begins to see herself, and her family, in a whole new light. At the same time she starts to realize that her community, which she always thought of as home, might not be as welcoming as she had thought. Together Annabelle, Bailey, and their families discover how these categories that seem to mean so much—boy, girl, gay, straight, fruit, vegetable—aren’t so clear-cut after all.

About the Author

Kyle Lukoff is the author of the novel Too Bright to See and several picture books including A Storytelling of Ravens, Explosion at the Poem Factory, and the Stonewall Award winner When Aidan Became a Brother. He has worked in bookstores and libraries for over half his life, and lives in New York City.

Author Residence: Brooklyn, NY