Jamie is an inspiring story about Jamie Rambeau, an 11-year-old non-binary kid. Jamie risks being separated from their two best friends Daisy and Ash once Year Seven approaches and same-sex schooling is enforced. Jamie is brought to readers by Little Bee Books, an independent publisher known for its commitment to progressive and inclusive children’s literature. Released in collaboration with GLAAD, Jamie offers a powerful tale of self-discovery and resilience.
GLAAD Communications Intern Stephanie Hu (she/her) interviewed the book’s author L.D. Lapinski (they/she), to talk about Jamie and the importance of LGBTQ children’s literature.
SH: What inspired you to write Jamie?
LD: It was actually written by accident. So, my publisher in the UK asked if I would write another fantasy trilogy. And of course I was like, “I would love to do that.” So I sat down to write it, and Jamie came out instead. It happened because every time I saw something on social media that made me sad or cross or just otherwise filled with emotions about the government or the public’s response to trans or non-binary people, I would write down a few paragraphs of how I was feeling, whack it onto a word document and and file it away. Then, there started to be more of that document than there was of the fantasy trilogy I was meant to be writing. There was almost a book here. There were somebody’s feelings here, whether they were mine or some currently disembodied characters’ feelings. There they were on the page, and I felt it needed exploring. Next thing you know, Jamie was finished before the aforementioned fantasy book was finished. I did finish the fantasy book eventually.
Lapinski’s fantasy book, “Artezans: The Forgotten Magic” was indeed published this year. The title was named The Sunday Times Children’s Book of the Week, Blackwell’s Children’s Book of the Month, and QBD Australia Children’s Book of the Month.
SH: What inspired the plot of Jamie?
LD: Going through life as an enby person, we are constantly having to choose things. Which toilet am I going to feel the safest in today? What clothes am I going to put on that are how I want to present myself and also safe for me to wear out? These are everyday choices that are happening at a low level all the time. And what if it was actually a one huge, massive issue [of facing split schools as a non-binary kid]?
You spend the majority of your time at school when you’re a kid, so choosing between schools can be the biggest thing that can possibly happen to you.
I also wanted to show that Jamie is surrounded by what seems like quite supportive people. Their head teacher even went out of their way to get books in the school library with non-binary characters. They’re surrounded by what seems like a very supportive bubble. [But once Jamie is confronted with split schools], the very supportive little bubble quickly goes pop.
SH: Thank you for your necessary depiction of a nonbinary youth with a supportive family!* What made you decide to pursue children’s literature?
LD: Because everybody can read it. I think it’s a really great way of making all different kinds of stories accessible, friendly, and humorous. We don’t have to be too deadly serious. Nobody’s having an affair. There’s no creepy professors in the corner. And it’s such a privilege to be able to write for children and young people. There is such a wealth of children’s literature at the moment. We are living in a golden age of children’s books, and I’m just really proud to be part of it.
*Just last year, the Trevor Project reported that transgender and nonbinary young people who reported that all of the people they live with respect their pronouns reported lower rates of attempting suicide.
SH: Why do you believe LGBTQ children’s literature is important?
LD: I waited 30 something years to see a non-binary kid in a book. A book becomes a fantasy story if all of your characters are white, able-bodied, and middle class. It’s not representative. And you’re going to be doing such a disservice to so many young readers just because you haven’t opened your mind and looked out of the window and seen that there is an absolute wealth of human experience out there.
SH: Could you share insight into your own childhood and how it influenced Jamie?
LD: It’s definitely not a true story. I went to a mixed school. I just spent my entire childhood thinking I was doing something wrong. I constantly felt like I was in the wrong changing rooms, wearing the wrong uniforms, but I couldn’t explain completely why. It was like I had missed a day of school when everyone got the “How To Be a Girl” Manual and nobody bothered to fill me in afterwards. Then, I found the word non-binary. And then it was finally fine, like this was a pair of shoes that fit; I can stop wearing somebody else’s shoes, clothes, jacket. This is me. This is mine. This works for me.
SH: What advice would you give to teachers or parents who are looking to start conversations about LGBTQ topics with children?
LD: All these conversations have to be rooted in love. Listen to what the child has to say. Answer questions truthfully. And if somebody chooses to tell you who they are and trusts you with that gem of information, believe them. Be happy for them as much as you possibly can. It is so precious when someone chooses to share their true self with you. It is like being handed a crystal swan. And these things need handling with care, with love, with due attention.
SH: What is next for you?
LD: I have a very busy year coming up! ARTEZANS: The Forgotten Magic, first in my new trilogy, just came out in the UK, and the second book is out next year. The sequel to my first festive story STEPFATHER CHRISTMAS is published in October, and my first adult novel will be out in Spring 2025, so there’s loads happening at the minute!
Jamie was nominated for the 2024 Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing. You can now order Jamie on Amazon or Barnes and Nobles.