Illustrated by Anne Passchier

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Follow Ari through their neighborhood as they try to find their words in this sweet, accessible introduction to gender-inclusive pronouns that is perfect for readers of all ages.

Whenever Ari’s Uncle Lior comes to visit, they ask Ari one question: “What are your words?” Some days Ari uses she/her. Other days Ari uses he/him. But on the day of the neighborhood’s big summer bash, Ari doesn’t know what words to use. On the way to the party, Ari and Lior meet lots of neighbors and learn the words each of them use to describe themselves, including pronouns like she/her, he/him, they/them, ey/em, and ze/zir. As Ari tries on different pronouns, they discover that it’s okay to not know your words right away—sometimes you have to wait for your words to find you.

Filled with bright, graphic illustrations, this simple and poignant story about finding yourself is the perfect introduction to gender-inclusive pronouns for readers of all ages.

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Praise for What Are Your Words?:
ALA Top Ten Rainbow Book 2022
"Awesome, insightful, powerful, necessary, relevant and woke.... The variety of adjectives used throughout Ari's journey to find their words will delight Language Arts teachers and can serve as a teaching text."
Cicely Lewis, School Library Journal
"Locke's simple narrative...seamlessly incorporates the appropriate pronouns for each person, demonstrating the ease with which language can change to accommodate pronoun diversity.... A sweet, affirming introduction to the language used to communicate a range of gender identities."
Booklist
"A capable celebration of the rich range of pronouns."
Publishers Weekly
"Through Ari's story, children are gently versed in different identifiers. The ultimate lesson: how to champion yourself."
Entertainment Weekly
"This story offers lots of opportunities for exploring beyond the binary."
Horn Book
"An influential addition to gender literature, this educational feel-good book highlights the marvelous distinctiveness of humanity."
Midwest Book Review

On Sale: May 25, 2021
Page Count: 40 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
ISBN-13: 9780316542067

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Katherine Locke

About the Author

Katherine Locke lives and writes in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with their feisty felines. They are the award-winning author of many books for kids and teens, including Gender Rebels and What Are Your Words?; they are also the co-editor and contributor of This Is Our Rainbow: 16 Stories of Her, Him, Them and Us. They can be found online at KatherineLockeBooks.com and @bibliogato on X and Instagram.

Nicole Melleby, a New Jersey native, is the author of highly praised middle grade books, including the Lambda Literary finalist Hurricane Season, ALA Notable book How to Become a Planet, Camp QUILTBAG (co-written with A. J. Sass), and The House on Sunrise Lagoon series. She is also the author of the picture book Sunny and Oswaldo. Nicole lives with her wife and their cats, whose need for attention oddly aligns with Nicole’s writing schedule. She invites you to visit her online at nicolemelleby.com.

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Anne Passchier

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Katherine Locke

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Anne Passchier

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