Ten candles. One wish. A girl ready to claim her sky.
The chrysalis is gone. The secret is out. Ellie is finally, legally, herself.
But in a small Minnesota town, stepping into the light casts the longest shadows.
At nine years old, Ellie fought to be seen. At ten, she must fight to be heard.
The whispers in the hallway haven't stopped. The boys on the playground have words sharper than stones. And a simple desire to paint a mural becomes a battleground for the heart of her school.
Ellie has her "squad"?Maria, Chloe, and Ben. She has parents who would move mountains. She has a paintbrush and a vision of a world where butterflies don't have to fly alone.
But growing up means realizing that love doesn't fix everything. Sometimes, you have to fix it yourself.
She spent two years building her wings. Now, she has to trust them enough to jump.
The wind is rising. Is Ellie ready to fly?
Autorentext
Grace Ann Hansen writes about identity, resilience, and personal transformation. Her work is informed by her journey as a queer woman, and her direct, personal style gives a voice to marginalized characters navigating societal challenges.
She draws on a diverse background in IT and healthcare, as well as 34 years in a regional rock band. A mother and grandmother, Grace is a passionate advocate for the transgender community. She uses her platform as an author and public speaker to craft narratives of hope that foster understanding. Grace works in Healthcare IT and lives in the Midwest with her wife of 30 years, in a red state, because that's where all their family lives.