First Author Visit of the Year Highlights Inclusion

Librarian and author Kyle Lukoff, who has written beautiful stories about gender identity, spoke to Friends students in all three divisions in November. His book, Different Kinds of Fruit, was the all-community adult book group selection. Director of Middle School and Upper School Library Services, Adrienne Almeida comments, “It is important for us to invite authors who are writing stories about people who are often overlooked in literature. It is also important for adults to grapple with the issues of the day from the perspective of a young person. Kyle’s work is complex enough to offer entry points for all ages.”

During the Lower School’s Community Period, Kyle centered his discussion on When Aidan Became a Brother, a groundbreaking picture book and winner of the 2020 Stonewall Book Award. It celebrates the changes in a transgender boy’s life, from his initial coming-out to becoming a big brother. The first semester fifth grade Library class planned and led an all Middle School assembly focused on the topical subject of challenged and banned books confronting public and school libraries across the country. The Upper School student-led Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA), Center for Peace, Equity and Justice, and the Library hosted a lunch-time conversation with Kyle for all members of the Upper School community, faculty and staff.

Kyle’s visit was made possible by the generosity of the Parents Association and is representative of the School’s ongoing commitment to programming focused on fortifying a vibrant and inclusive community.