Just be yourself. It seems so simple… until it isn’t.

Sammy Ryan knew who he was and what he wanted. No small feat for a 10-year-old. But many people, even his own father, wanted Sammy to be something he couldn’t be… a girl.

The Heart of the Matter is a heart-warming, sometimes heart-wrenching novel of prejudice, friendship, and unexpected love.

Step into this moving journey about the transition of a child, and the transformation of those who love him.

Author’s Note:

I wrote this novel in 2018 to bear witness to the challenges faced by transgender youth and the families who love them. In the years since, those challenges have only deepened—more than I could have imagined. But while the events in this story are no longer the most current, I still believe in the power of fiction to open hearts and minds. If this book helps even one reader feel seen, or helps one parent better understand their child, then it’s done its job. Thank you for reading.

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