Name I Call Myself, The

Ari doesn’t like being called Edward, the name he was given at birth. From age six to adolescence, Ari is on a journey of self-discovery as he explores his gender identity, even though his father disapproves. On his quest for answers, he tries to learn to understand himself and how he can fit within the mould that his father insists he should conform to—only finally accepting himself at age eighteen. Appropriate for elementary-level students, this resource lends itself to an introduction to the topic of sexual identity and diversity. In the classroom, it is suitable as a read-aloud and can encourage discussions about identity, diversity, and self-acceptance, and it may also invite conversations about compassion for others who may be on similar journeys of self-exploration.