In 'This Is How It Always Is,' Laurie Frankel tenderly unfolds the story of the Walsh-Adams family, where Rosie and Penn lovingly raise their five boys. When the youngest, Claude, exhibits signs of gender nonconformity, insisting on wearing dresses and expressing a desire to grow up to be a girl, their world is gently turned upside down. As the parents grapple with Claude's emerging identity, they learn to confront societal norms and embrace the challenges of parenting a transgender child. This transformative narrative explores the themes of unconditional love, acceptance, and the courage it takes to live an authentic life, while addressing the complexities of secrecy, the pressures of fitting in, and the rippling effects of pivotal choices on a family's harmony.