Just Happy to Be Here

Recommended Ages: 14+

Written by Naomi Kanakia.

Tara just wants to be seen as any other girl at Ainsley Academy—judged for her abilities, not her trans identity. However, navigating life as the first trans girl in an all-girls school feels daunting, especially when she aims to join the Sibyls, an exclusive sisterhood with its own traditions and privileges. Suddenly, Tara finds herself at the heart of a larger debate about the meaning of girlhood and the legitimacy of the club itself. Uninterested in becoming a symbol for a movement, she prefers to focus on her friendships, particularly with Felicity, a new ally who might mean more to her. But when a renowned alumna and club sponsor publicly criticizes her, the selection process spirals into a media frenzy. Tara has always drawn strength from the words of others, but as she confronts these challenges, will she be able to find and embrace her own voice?