If I Was Your Girl

Description: Amanda Hardy is the new girl in school in Lambertville, Tennessee. Like any other girl, all she wants is to make friends and fit in. But Amanda is keeping a secret. There’s a reason why she transferred schools for her senior year, and why she’s determined not to get too close to anyone.
  And then she meets Grant Everett. Grant is unlike anyone she’s ever met—open, honest, kind—and Amanda can’t help but start to let him into her life. As they spend more time together, she finds herself yearning to share with Grant everything about herself…including her past. But she’s terrified that once she tells Grant the truth, he won't be able to see past it. Because the secret that Amanda’s been keeping? It’s that she used to be Andrew.

Review: After being beaten up in a mall bathroom, Amanda goes to live with her estranged father in Lambertville, Tennessee, where no one knows her from her pre-transition life. I loved Amanda's voice and liked her right away. She is incredibly brave for being open and honest of who she is despite all of the obstacles that she faces. The story consists of Amanda's previous life, during, post-suicide attempt, and transition which are interspersed with her current life throughout the story. I learned many things about the transitional experience that I didn't know about before reading this book. The push of wanting to be open and experiencing life with unexpected friendships with people from various backgrounds and sexual orientations and even possibly starting a romance of her own and the pull of her own fear of her secret and her father's constant admonitions to fly under the radar is real, authentic, and a familiar story for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider.
 What I really liked about this book is that it is not overwrought with unnecessary drama, sentimental nor heavy handed. The initial romance between Amanda and Grant is sweet, but things are in flux once Grant finds out about Amanda's past. Like Amanda, Grant is also keeping secrets regarding his family. It is nice to see that both of these characters balance each other out.
   An author's note at the end of the book reveals that the author herself is transgendered and has admitted that there are instances that she took liberty in telling Amanda's story. For instance, Amanda is blessed to physically, seamlessly blend and the price of very expensive drugs did not seem to be a financial issue with her family. Some readers may have issues with these unrealistic portions of the book, but I see it as giving hope that things will get better for transgendered teens. I also appreciated that the book does not end in a happily ever or wrap up in a bow, especially when her romantic relationship is concerned, but rather Amanda is willing to educate those around her on what it means to be transgendered.  If I Was Your Girl is a much needed, timely book in YA. 


Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is some language including homophobic slurs, underage drinking and drug usage, scene of attempted sexual assault, and scenes of heavy making out with some mention of nudity. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.

If you like this book try: Rethinking Normal by Katie Rain Hill, Almost Perfect by Brian Katcher

Symptoms of Being Human

Description: Riley Cavanaugh is many things: Punk rock. Snarky. Rebellious. And gender fluid. Some days Riley identifies as a boy, and others as a girl. The thing is…Riley isn’t exactly out yet. And between starting a new school and having a congressman father running for reelection in uber-conservative Orange County, the pressure—media and otherwise—is building up in Riley’s so-called “normal” life.
  On the advice of a therapist, Riley starts an anonymous blog to vent those pent-up feelings and tell the truth of what it’s REALLY like to be a gender fluid teenager. But just as Riley’s starting to settle in at school—even developing feelings for a mysterious outcast—the blog goes viral, and an unnamed commenter discovers Riley’s real identity, threatening exposure. Riley must make a choice: walk away from what the blog has created—a lifeline, new friends, a cause to believe in—or stand up, come out, and risk everything.

Review: After being bullied at a Catholic high school and a failed suicide attempt, Riley Cavanaugh is looking for a fresh start at Park Hills High. By starting a new school, Riley braces for the question that will be inevitably asked when someone spots Riley, "Is that a girl, or a guy?" Riley quickly gets pegged as an "it", unable to be easily put in a box labeled by a specific gender. Riley identifies as gender fluid, waking up some mornings feeling more like a girl and other mornings feeling more like a boy and would prefer to dress in a manner that reflects this, a secret that she keeps closely to herself. 
 I was not familiar with gender fluidity until reading this book and I learned a lot. Riley is presented androgynously in order to avoid negative attention especially since her father is in the public eye and running for office. The author does a great job in showing Riley's wide range of inner emotions from anxiety, vulnerability, excitement, strength and confidence without ever resorting to describing Riley's physical features. It actually doesn't matter what Riley looks like because Riley is much more than a checkbox: Riley is smart, funny, and a great writer. 
  In addition to a real, three dimensional protagonist, a sweet budding romance, there are some flaws in the book that requires a bit of suspension of disbelief. For instance, Riley takes a suggestion of a therapist and starts an anonymous blog about what it's like to be gender fluid. The blog goes viral instantly and quickly accumulates followers overnight, which as a blogger myself found that hard to believe. I also had hard time believing that people would seek out life advice about serious issues from a very inexperienced teen on a blog, but despite these issues Symptoms of Being Human opens up a discussion on identity, gender, and a good starting place about gender fluidity. 

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is some language including homophobic slurs, scenes of bullying, and mentions about a failed attempted suicide. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.

If you like this book try: Lizard Radio by Pat Schmatz, Girl Mans Up by M-E Girard

You Know Me Well

Description: Mark and Kate have sat next to each other for an entire year, but have never spoken. For whatever reason, their paths outside of class have never crossed. That is, until Kate spots Mark miles away from home, out in the city for a wild, unexpected night.
  Kate is lost, having just run away from a chance to finally meet the girl she has been in love with from afar. Mark, meanwhile, is in love with his best friend Ryan, who may or may not feel the same way. When Kate and Mark meet up, little do they know how important they will become to each other—and how, in a very short time, they will know each other better than any of the people who are supposed to know them more.

Review: You Know Me Well is a short and quick read, giving us a peek into the slice of life of two teens in their senior year. It's Pride Week in San Francisco and Mark and Kate have much to figure out about themselves, including how out-and-proud they want to be. Told in alternate point of views, we have to parallel running subplots. Mark hooks up sometimes with his best friend Ryan, but Ryan won't talk about it and open up about his sexuality. Kate keeps running away from opportunities in her life such as meeting Violet, her best friend's cousin, who has always intrigued her as a love interest. 
  Mark and Kate share the same Calculus class, but they decide to be friends when they spot each other at a gay club and each could use a confidante. Mark is much more open, wears his heart on his sleeves, and is easy going as evident in his fluid chapters. It does, however, take time to get use to Kate which I think is stylistically intentional. Kate has a lot of barriers, insecurity, and very critical of herself, but once she is able to work through her flaws and take control of her life, we can really see her personality shine.  
 Even though there is a romance discussed in the book, I really like how friendship between Mark and Kate take center stage in the novel. Mark and Kate quickly become close and help each other toward bravery, showing their vulnerability and flaws, as well as advising one another in their own romantic situations. Both of the characters are introspective, funny, and do not necessarily have all of the answers about their future even when graduation is on the horizon. Mark is still pondering who he is and who he wants to be and Kate is finally honest about her lack of enthusiasm for college and wanting to defer a year. It is also important to note that both teens are open about their sexual orientation and they move beyond the coming-out trope allowing them to just be like any other teen, which makes Mark and Kate even more relateable. I would recommend picking You Know Me Well up if you are a fan of Nina LaCour or David Levithan's work or if you ever wanted to try their books.

Rating: 4 stars


Words of Caution: There is some language, scenes of underage drinking, and allusion to sex. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.

If you like this book try: The Great American Whatever by Tim Federle, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Aire Saenz

Lumberjanes Vol 2 + Lumberjanes Vol 3

 Noelle Stevenson's graphic novel series, Lumberjanes, is a fast and fun read that highlights female empowerment and friendship. Each volume is filled with humor, adventure, and a nod to a developing romance. I highly recommend picking up this wonderful series for both younger and older readers alike.

Description: Jo, April, Mal, Molly, and Ripley are not your average campers and Miss Qiunzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet's Camp for Hardcore Lady-Types is not your average summer camp. Between the river monsters, magic, and the art of friendship bracelets, this summer is only just beginning. Join the Lumberjanes as they take on raptors and a sibling rivalry that only myths are made of.

Review: Jo, April, Mal, Molly, and Ripley, aka. the Lumberjanes, continue their adventures at Miss Quinzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet's Camp for Hardcore Lady Types with as much energy, excitement, and wonder as in the first volume of the series. The first volume had bizarre things happening without much explanation, but thankfully this volume clears up those unanswered questions while adding crazed dinosaurs, possessed insects, and competitive Greek deities to the mix. I love how this series manages to blend and balance the fantastical elements to the story with the everyday, slice of life moments of camp where they struggle with first crushes, friendship troubles, and self-doubt. The addition of sibling rivalry between two Greek deities was an added bonus. The Lumberjanes have their own lingo and substitute words for swearing which adds humor and is infectious. The illustrations, like the story and its characters, are also bursting with energy and vivid colors such as the forest greens in outdoor daylight scenes and grays and dark blues of nighttime scenes. 

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: None. Recommended for Grades 4 and up.

Description: Trying to take advantage of the first quiet day at camp in a while, Mal and Molly's date takes a bizarre turn with the appearance of the Bear Woman! Back at camp, Jo, April, and Ripley must stay on their toes as they try and earn every badge possible, which ends up being a lot harder than any of them planned.

Review: While there may not be as much as action in this third volume of Lumberjanes, this was still a very enjoyable read. There are two subplots in this volume as Jo, Mal, Ripley, April, and Molly focus on earning badges. We follow the girls in hilarious mishaps as they conceive and execute a plan that will guarantee them to a badge. Meanwhile, Mal and Molly are looking for some quiet time to see where their potential romantic relationship will take them, but they are soon transported to a dangerous, dinosaur-infested alternate universe. The romance between Mal and Molly is very chaste and sweet. Even though there isn't a lot of story in this volume, the humor, adventure, and enthusiasm carries and holds the reader's attention through the volume.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: None. Recommended for Grades 4 and up.

If you like these books try: Lumberjanes Vol. 4 by Noelle Stevenson, Princeless series by Jeremy Whitley, Ms. Marvel series by G. Willow Wilson, Foiled by Jane Yolen

We Are the Ants

 If you only have time to read just one YA book this year, then I would highly recommend picking up We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson. This book was exquisitely written and left me thinking about it long after I closed the last page. It is my first 5 star read of 2016.

Description: There are a few things Henry Denton knows, and a few things he doesn’t.
Henry knows that his mom is struggling to keep the family together, and coping by chain-smoking cigarettes. He knows that his older brother is a college dropout with a pregnant girlfriend. He knows that he is slowly losing his grandmother to Alzheimer’s. And he knows that his boyfriend committed suicide last year.

What Henry doesn’t know is why the aliens chose to abduct him when he was thirteen, and he doesn’t know why they continue to steal him from his bed and take him aboard their ship. He doesn’t know why the world is going to end or why the aliens have offered him the opportunity to avert the impending disaster by pressing a big red button. But they have. And they’ve only given him 144 days to make up his mind.

The question is whether Henry thinks the world is worth saving. That is, until he meets Diego Vega, an artist with a secret past who forces Henry to question his beliefs, his place in the universe, and whether any of it really matters. But before Henry can save the world, he’s got to figure out how to save himself, and the aliens haven’t given him a button for that.

Review: The writing style of We Are the Ants is very reminiscent of Kurt Vonnegut's masterpiece Slaughterhouse Five. While the book is categorized as science fiction, it is mostly science fiction in the allegorical sense. Henry Denton is a depressed, nihilistic teen who is having an existential crisis. He has been abducted by aliens and have been told by them that the world will end. Strangely, they give Henry a red button that he can press to save the world but is the world and humanity worthy enough to be saved? From Henry's point of view, humans are not the center of the world, we are actually as significant as the little ants crawling on the ground.
  All throughout the book Henry asks the same question over and over again: if you were given the chance to save the world, would you take it and why? For Henry, the answer is not an easy one. His life is in tatters in a town called Calypso where the flaws of the characters tether them down and prevent them from growing much like Odysseus and Calypso from Homer's epic The Odyssey. Henry's first love and boyfriend, Jessie, has committed suicide. His father left his home and some point to Henry's 'abductions' as a reason, his chain smoking, alcoholic mother is struggling to make ends meet while taking care of his dementia ridden grandmother. His older brother and fiance are expecting a child though neither of them are adults or capable of supporting themselves. On top of all this, Henry is bullied and used as a play toy for the closeted gay bully.
  It is hard to be Henry and be optimistic when there is so much negativity and sadness revolving around him. Henry blames himself for Jesse's death and further drives the nail in his self loathing coffin. I liked how Hutchinson uses Jesse as a symbol of Henry's self-worth because Jesse is the only person who made Henry feel loved and accept despite his quirks. Jesse was Henry's safety net, but when he is tragically ripped away due to Jesse's own mental health issues he helplessly watch Henry go in a similar downward spiral until he meets the charismatic Diego who shows up in town.
 Like Henry, Diego is also dealing with his own personal demons, which Hutchinson sprinkles throughout the story. Instead of turning to aliens to help him sort out the meaning of life, Diego uses art to express himself. I really appreciated that the book focuses on the friendship and connection between Henry and Diego while leaving the possibility of a romantic relationship open. Diego and Henry do not solve each others issues miraculously because they find each other, but they do form a supportive network that is immensely important. There is also Audrey, a mutual friend of Jesse and Henry, who gives us a more realistic account of Jesse instead of Henry's romanticized view of his boyfriend. Ultimately, we are all on the edge of our seats wondering if Henry does really have the freedom of choice he thinks he has or will push the button to save the world?
  We Are the Ants is an excellent novel that is much needed in our world that often seems uncaring and meaningless. Each character is complex, necessary, and most importantly true to life. There are both light and dark moments in the book much like real life. The novel is never didactic and perfect for readers who love character driven stories and it would make a fantastic book club discussion.

Some favorite quotes:

“Depression isn't a war you win. It's a battle you fight every day. You never stop, never get to rest.”

“We may not get to choose how we die, but we can chose how we live. The universe may forget us, but it doesn't matter. Because we are the ants, and we'll keep marching on.”

“Dreams are hopeful because they exist as pure possibility. Unlike memories, which are fossils, long dead and buried deep.” 

“We're not words, Henry, we're people.
Words are how others define us, but we can define ourselves any way we choose.” 

Rating: 5 stars

Words of Caution: There is strong language throughout the book, drug use and underage drinking, allusions to sex, and scenes of bullying. Recommended for Grade 9 and up.

If you like this book try: The Vast Fields of Ordinary by Nick Burd, Someday this pain will be useful to you by Peter Cameron, The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner, and for similar writing style definitely check out Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut

Honor Girl

Description: Maggie Thrash has spent basically every summer of her fifteen-year-old life at the one-hundred-year-old Camp Bellflower for Girls, set deep in the heart of Appalachia. She’s from Atlanta, she’s never kissed a guy, she’s into Backstreet Boys in a really deep way, and her long summer days are full of a pleasant, peaceful nothing . . . until one confounding moment. A split-second of innocent physical contact pulls Maggie into a gut-twisting love for an older, wiser, and most surprising of all (at least to Maggie), female counselor named Erin. But Camp Bellflower is an impossible place for a girl to fall in love with another girl, and Maggie’s savant-like proficiency at the camp’s rifle range is the only thing keeping her heart from exploding. When it seems as if Erin maybe feels the same way about Maggie, it’s too much for both Maggie and Camp Bellflower to handle, let alone to understand.

Review: Honor Girl is a poignant graphic memoir that explores first love, self discovery, and identity. Thrash zeroes in a pivotal bittersweet summer that changed her outlook on life. At age 15, Maggie returned to Camp Bellflower for Girls, a conservative Christian camp located in Kentucky that she'd been attending for years. Following traditions including Civil War re-enactments is expected and required. Maggie has aspired to be named Honor Girl, an award given each year to the girl who exemplified the camp's spirit, but this year is very different. Her normal fun-filled, carefree world is slowly shifting and becoming constrictive especially when she is being drawn to Erin, an older counselor. Now Maggie is focusing her attention to forging and expressing her own identity.
   The illustrations for Honor Girl are deceptively subdued and ordinary yet raw and have a sketchbook feeling to them. We see Maggie go through every day, slice-of-life moments such as handling conflicts with mean girls, gossip and rumors as well as confiding in confidants. These banal moments contain deeper meaning. Thrash effortlessly conveys the awkwardness of coming into one's own. The tone of the mercurial teen is spot-on, morphing from funny and quirky to quiet and contemplative especially when a romantic, chaste relationship is budding between Maggie and Erin. There are light moments that feature pop culture such as Maggie's unabashed love for the Backstreet Boys (who I also loved as a teen) along with darker historical references such as the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, which the camp abides. Maggie's reluctance to come out at camp rings true though it made me feel so sad that she could not be open about her romance like the other campers. Readers regardless of their own sexual identity will relate to the awkwardness and uncertainty of first love in Maggie's memoir. 

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is some language and some crude humor. Recommended for Grades 8 and up.

If you like this book try: This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki, Long Red Hair by Meags Fitzgerald