by Jennie Wood
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Published: 2014
Publisher: 215 Ink
Genre: LGBTQ, YA
Paperback: 270 pages
Rating: 4.5
First sentence(s):
"Katherine, would you like to go next?" But Mrs. Blunt wasn't really asking.
Born a girl, Peyton Honeycutt meets Tara Parks in the eighth grade bathroom shortly after he gets his first period. It is the best and worst day of his life. Determined to impress Tara, Peyton sets out to win her love by mastering the drums and basketball. He takes on Tara's small-minded mother, the bully at school, and the prejudices within his conservative hometown. In the end, Peyton must accept and stand up for who he is or lose the woman he loves.
My two-bits:
This is a good introduction to the transgender world which is a topic in the forefront these days since Bruce Jenner's reveal.
The story covers the span from the main character's middle grade to just right after high school years which felt like slow pacing but more realistic for a coming out moment.
Sadly, the inevitable negative aspects of what a transgender individual would encounter are touched upon. But, they do not overpower the main points of this story of self realization, growth and love.
Music plays a little part in the storyline with some behind the scenes of working at a music store and in a private recording studio.
End pages include resources for more information on transgender and LGBTQ.
* review copy courtesy of publisher
* added this to my Bookish Bingo challenge - square: We Need Diverse Books
