Joy to the World

by Kai Shappley and Lisa Bunker

Twelve year old Joy has recently moved to Texas with her mother and brother. She makes friends easily and soon discovers and becomes enthralled with the sport of cheerleading. She tries out for and makes the middle school team. When someone in the school learns that Joy is a trans girl and informs the school, Joy is told that she can no longer be on the team and must now use the bathroom in the nurse’s office. With the support of her family and a growing group of friends and LGBTQ+ activists, Joy decides to fight back. She may not get back on the cheer team but in the process of advocating for herself and others Joy learns some powerful lessons about friendship, resilience and using your voice to fight injustice.

Joy to the World was inspired by the real story of author and trans activist, Kai Shappley who, when she was in fourth grade, stood up to the Texas State Legislature against their attack on trans kids. 

Contributed by: Annmarie O’Neill

Annmarie is recently retired after a wonderful career as a Library Teacher in the Weymouth Public Schools and now participating fully in retirement by continuing as a reading tutor for the Literacy Volunteers of MA at the Thomas Crane Library in Quincy (they can always use new tutors), supervising graduate students in the Simmons University Library Teacher program, traveling, exploring creativity (quilting, writing, drawing, crochet) and maintaining a Little Free Library at her house.