Too Bright to See

Too Bright to See is a middle grade novel by American author Kyle Lukoff (2021). It tells the story of Bug, an 11-year-old transgender boy coming to terms with his identity after the death of his uncle. Lukoff, a transgender man, has written several books about young trans people, based in part on his own experiences. In addition to being a coming-of-age story, Too Bright to See is also a ghost story. Bug lives in an old house that he believes is haunted by many spirits, including the ghost of his uncle. Too Bright to See is a Newbery Honoree, a Stonewall Award winner, and a National Book Award finalist.

This guide uses the 2021 Dial Books for Young Readers e-book edition of the novel.

Content Warning: This book and guide contain detailed discussions of grief after losing a close family member to illness. There are also discussions of anti-trans and anti-gay bias. Ultimately, Bug realizes that he is a boy; for that reason, this guide uses he/him pronouns exclusively. However, because Bug only comes out toward the end of the book, other characters refer to him using she/her pronouns, which is reflected in some quotes.

Plot Summary

Bug, who is 11, has grown up in a big house in rural Vermont with his mother Sabrina and his

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