John Boyne writes novel about transgender teen for PRH Children's

Penguin Random House Children's will next year publish a YA book about a transgender teenager and her brother by John Boyne, author of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.

My Brother’s Name is Jessica is about Sam’s journey towards acceptance of his sister Jessica, who transitions from male to female.

Boyne said he has always written about children who are isolated in some way and that “as my books for adults have grown more personal in nature, so has my writing for young people”. “I became interested in exploring how a child would deal with complicated issues of gender and sexuality, not when it’s a struggle that he’s facing, but when the struggle belongs to someone he loves. I hope My Brother’s Name is Jessica will enlighten young readers on the bravery of transgender youth and make them understand that this is just another facet of human nature that can be celebrated.”

Commissioning editor Naomi Colthurst acquired UK, Commonwealth and audio rights from Simon Trewin at WME Entertainment and will publish in hardback on 18th April.