Jackson Bright in the Spotlight

After Jackson, who reads as white, wears a pink-and-white polka-dot dress to school, the blowback he receives from ill-intentioned teacher Miss Felton motivates the 12-year-old to crank up the dial on his fabulous meter. With encouragement from his nonbinary Filipino American BFF Eva, Jackson enters the regional Our Little Miss pageant using his newly established “secret drag queen” persona, Sissy St. James. Joined by Jackson’s movie makeup artist uncle Aaron, Eva draws from their shared love of musical theater and famous drag performers to help Jackson polish his look and practice his talent. Jackson’s cover is jeopardized, however, when he learns that his crush’s twin sister will also be competing, and that Miss Felton is one of the adults in charge of running the pageant. In this touching debut by RuPaul’s Drag Race competitor O’Hara, in collaboration with Poblocki (More Tales to Keep You Up at Night), giggle-inducing fart jokes keep things light, even as Jackson navigates serious conversations about depression, homophobia, and the difficulties—and eventual pleasures—of being oneself. Bessa’s animated illustrations highlight Jackson’s effervescent personality. Ages 10–14. (Oct.)