Phoenix Goes To School

Phoenix Finch is a gender non-conforming, transgender 7 yearold girl who was assigned male at birth (AMAB). She currentlyidentifies with She/Her/Hers pronouns.Phoenix knows in her heart who she is, but is struggling with whatothers will think. She recounts for us, in her own exact words, whatit was like for her the first time she went to school wearing a dress.Phoenix shows us how to be brave and be authentic to who wetruly are. Her Mother, shows us to be a safe harbor and providereassurance, so that our children know they are seen andloved unconditionally.MF & PF: This book is dedicated to all the children and parentsout there in the world who are being brave everyday,just to be who they are.SD: To Neve and Alex, always.ISBN NUMBERRRP

















































Discussion QuestionsAdults: What events occurred behind the scenes of the story that may have led to Phoenix having a positive outcome? How do we know if something is for a girl or for a boy? How do we know something is true in our hearts? Have you ever experienced a fear of making yourself vulnerable in some way, and then later had that result in an opportunity to grow closer to others? In what other ways could the Mother in the story have reacted to Phoenix? How do you think that would have effected Phoenix’s first day of school? Have you ever been asked to do something, but felt inside like “this isn’t me”? Phoenix says she sometimes feels like both a boy and a girl. How does this fit with our traditional gender roles of either being a boy or being a girl? Who are you? What makes you, you? How do you know?Kids: Out of everyone in the story, who knows Phoenix the best? How are the different ways that we express ourselves, like the different colors of a rainbow? What do you think Phoenix meant by her rhythm? Phoenix likes flowers and dresses. What are some things that you like? Can you think of a time when you knew that something was true, based simply on how you felt in your heart? Were you afraid on your first day of school? Why/Why not? How do you think Phoenix would have felt if the kids had laughed at her and teased her? Do you think Phoenix had a good first day of school? Why/Why not? How do you think it made Phoenix feel that her Mommy, teacher and friend all were nice to her about her dress? Do you think Phoenix is brave? Do you remember a time when you were brave?