Released: 2006
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 5/5
Synopsis:
Regan is fifteen years old, and her life is consumed with her brother. She loves him with all her heart, and wants what’s best for him but his decisions ultimately affect her life. She always seems to be running damage control. He’s always on her mind, and she worried about him. Regan accepts and acknowledges what everyone else refuses to see, her brother is really her sister- he’s transgender. Liam’s wants to become Luna, deep down, he really is Luna. The problem is their parents refuse to see the truth. Liam tries to be the son his father wants, but it breaks him down and he wants to transition. Regan doesn’t know how she can be the only one to see the truth.
Review:
Julia Anne Peters did a great job portraying both Luna and Regan. For as long as Regan can remember her brother has always showed signs of who he really is. Birthday parties consisted of girl friends and no boys. Liam asked his mother for a bra and was disappointed with a basketball. Regan feels bad for being the daughter that Luna would love to be. She worried what the future holds for Liam as he transitions to Luna. She’s his rock, and tries to comfort him.
I thought the emotions and situations were very well written. Liam and Regan’s parents were believable, their mother had an unspoken truth and their father wants desperately for Liam to communicate with him. Unfortunately, he doesn’t want to hear what Liam really wants to tell him. I get the impression he would rather his son be gay, than transgender.
I would really recommend this one for anyone curious about transgender teens. I thought it was very well written and honest. I’m glad that I took the time to read this one. It really makes you think. This book really demonstrated that to grow up transgender is difficult, but having a trans sibling can be just as hard. Regan is constantly covering up for Liam, and worrying about him. She worries about herself and what will people think about her.
That's a good point that being the sibling has its challenges too. This sounds like a good exploration about how the entire family deals with Luna being transgender.
ReplyDeleteThis does sound like a really amazing and sensitive book, and I bet it's something that I would appreciate. Your review captures the feeling of the book perfectly, and I am going to be looking for this one. Great post today!
ReplyDeletePeople never talked about things like this when I was growing up so I'm really glad to see books like this being written. Can you imagine growing up like that thinking no one understood you? This sounds like a remarkable book.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like it touches upon a lot of complex themes and would be a great book club selection. Great review!
ReplyDeleteHi Anna,
DeleteI really think that you are right about this being a good book club selection, loads of complex issues to discuss and disect.
Trouble is, everyone needs to be pretty open-minded when they read it.
Yvonne
I agree, this one would make a great book club read.
DeleteI've seen that cover but never read what's its about. Sounds like an interesting and emotional read.
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteWhat a difficult book to pitch just right to a YA audience and about such a sensitive issue.
It sounds as though any transgender youngsters out there, wouldn't do themselves any harm to leave this book lying around, in the hope that their parents might pick it up and read it.
I think that 99% of the time, parents really do know what is happening in their childrens' lives, but they just don't know how to deal with it, so try and deny it vehemently.
Nice review of this one.
Yvonne
Glad there are books like this for teens to read and understand, etc.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read a book that deals with transgender issues, but I can only imagine how confusing and difficult it would be for someone struggling to figure out who they are on this level as well as all the other ones teenagers are dealing with. Sounds like a really fabulous story:):)
ReplyDeleteThis is a different kind of story. It must have been really difficult for Regan to cope with such a monumental secret, and for Liam who was totally misunderstood. I know transgenders in such young kids or teens must be a hard subject to broach. My heart goes out to these siblings.
ReplyDeleteI was really shocked that Regan was so affected by Liam.
DeleteOh wow! I have to admit that I've never read a book that deals with transgender issues before and I've never found one that I wasn't wary of starting because of how tough an issue it is, but this one sounds so fantastic! I could easily see this becoming one of those required readings in school for how real and raw the subject is! :)
ReplyDeleteAmazing review, Mrs. Q! With all those five beautiful stars, how could I not be intrigued? ;)