THIS IS HOW IT ALWAYS IS

Laurie Frankel's story of a Midwest family that is hiding their youngest member, Claude's, transgender identity is tender, funny, heartbreaking, and all-around wonderful. Gabra Zackman narrates this complex family saga with a subdued tone that works with the seriousness of its theme of self-identity. However, the story also includes moments of levity that wind up getting lost in the background. Zackman's portrayal of Claude is glorious in its depiction of his precociousness, confusion, growth, and compassion. But Claude's father is portrayed as seemingly emotionless, a characterization that contradicts the man Frankel describes. Despite this small weakness, the audiobook will undoubtedly steal hearts. J.F. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2017]