Too Bright to See
on Goodreads (5,650)
What’s inside...
A haunting ghost story about navigating grief, growing up, and growing into a new gender identity. It's the summer before middle school and eleven-year-old Bug's best friend Moira has decided they need to prepare for the upcoming school year. While Moira focuses on clothes, makeup, and boys, Bug is disinterested and preoccupied with a ghost haunting their eerie old house in rural Vermont. As Bug delves into the mystery of the ghost, a different truth is revealed – Bug is transgender. This book is a Newbery Honor recipient and Winner of the Stonewall Book Award.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
10-12
Length
224 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Bug felt when things started to change around the house? What would you do if you were in their shoes?
What does the ghost represent in the story? Can you think of a time when you had to face something unknown or scary?
Bug learns a lot about themselves and their family through the story. What are some things you've learned about yourself and your own family?
Why do you think the author chose a haunted house as the setting for Bug's journey of self-discovery?
If you could give Bug one piece of advice, what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the book, be open to hearing your child's perspectives and relate their thoughts to personal experiences or feelings.
Encourage your child to think critically about the characters’ emotions and actions — ask what they might have done differently and why.
Help them connect the themes of identity and transformation in the book to real-life situations they might encounter or have already faced.
Use Bug's journey to discuss the importance of understanding and accepting oneself, and share personal anecdotes where appropriate to deepen the connection.
Create a supportive atmosphere where your child feels comfortable expressing their thoughts and fears, just like Bug learns to do in the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in facing change
Explanation: The protagonist, Bug, navigates through significant life changes including grappling with gender identity and dealing with grief after the loss of a loved one.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of adaptability and personal strength when experiencing changes in their own lives, such as moving to a new school or undergoing personal transformations.
Example Lesson: Understanding and expressing emotions
Explanation: Through Bug’s journey, the book explores the complexity of emotions that come with loss and self-discovery, encouraging emotional expression.
Real-World Application: This can help children recognize and articulate their feelings in situations of grief or personal growth, fostering emotional intelligence.
Example Lesson: Empathy for others' experiences
Explanation: As readers see the world through Bug’s eyes, they learn to empathize with someone experiencing the challenges of questioning their gender identity and coping with loss.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this understanding by showing more compassion and empathy towards peers who might be different from them or going through challenging times.
Example Lesson: Importance of supportive relationships
Explanation: The book highlights how friendships and family support play crucial roles in Bug’s journey of self-discovery and acceptance.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children to value and nurture relationships and to seek support from friends and family during their own challenges.