Different Doesn't Mean Broken

A heartwarming, engaging conversation about diversity, identity, and empathy-written by a nonbinary parent and their 4th-grade daughter.

What makes us different isn't something to hide; it's what makes us extraordinary!

Co-authored by speaker, coach, and LGBTQIA2S+ advocate Don Mamone alongside their fourth-grade daughter Frankie, Different Doesn't Mean Broken is a charming, relatable companion book to Don's 2024 book Different Doesn't Mean Broken Living Courageously Outside the Binary. Perfect for children ages 8-12, families, educators, and librarians, this story offers a gentle, kid-friendly blueprint for navigating curiosity, acceptance, and inclusivity in everyday life.

Follow Frankie and her parent as they tackle real-world questions kids naturally ask:

• Body Image & Height: Feeling self-conscious about being the tallest kid in class or having body hair.
• Gender & Pronouns: Learning how to politely ask someone's pronouns and understanding nonbinary identity.
• Cultural Differences & Accents: Discovering why friends speak differently and honoring the bravery of immigrants.
• Inclusivity & Holidays: Understanding why we say "Happy Holidays" to include everyone.
• Cultural Respect: Learning why hair braiding carries deep significance in different communities.

Through warmth, humor, and candid dialogue, Different Doesn't Mean Broken normalizes open-minded and open-hearted conversations about identity and teaches middle-grade readers that "different" is just another word for "special."