- Age Range: 10 - 14 years
- Grade Level: 5 - 9
- Hardcover: 256 pages
- Publisher: Disney-Hyperion (November 4, 2014)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1423185277
Alone at home, twelve-year-old Grayson Sender glows, immersed in beautiful thoughts and dreams. But at school, Grayson grasps at shadows, determined to fly under the radar. Because Grayson has been holding onto a secret for what seems like forever: “he” is a girl on the inside, stuck in the wrong gender’s body.
The weight of this secret is crushing, but leaving it behind would mean facing ridicule, scorn, and rejection. Despite these dangers, Grayson’s true self itches to break free. Strengthened by an unexpected friendship and a caring teacher who gives her a chance to step into the spotlight, Grayson might finally have the tools to let her inner light shine.
Debut author Ami Polonsky’s moving, beautifully-written novel shines with the strength of a young person’s spirit and the enduring power of acceptance.
My Impressions:
I am not really sure what I think about this book. After I read the book, the cover made a lot more sense to me and is really pretty imaginative and impactfull on it own. The subtle changes of shirts really capture the slow outward and inward changes of Grayson as he struggles with being born one gender while inwardly he feels like another. I know many children going through this same ordeal and as a Christian this is a hard topic. The Bible is cut and dry on the subject, but wow my heart aches for kids and adults that have this inner turmoil that they carry around.
I have not read a book addressing the LGB issue from such a young perspective before. Its heart wrenching to read about Grayson. Not only is he dealing with this internal turmoil, he is also dealing with being a 12 year old going through puberty and all the physical and emotional difficulties associated with that. Friends are hard to make and keep at this age and then you compound Graysons other issues it adds a deeper level of emotional pain this young person carries. It broke my heart to read that he had not had a friend since 2nd grade!! I cannot imagine, yet I know this is a reality for many.
This is a tough book that tackles several hard subjects. I am not sure that the age range is appropriate. I feel 10 is way to young for this book and it should be more geared to the 13-16 age.
About the Author
Ami Polonsky (www.amipolonsky.com) is a reading and writing tutor, mother to two young children, and author, among other things. A former Language Arts teacher and literacy coach, Ami remains passionate about guiding children towards a love of books and helping create lifetime readers. Ami lives outside of Chicago with her family. This is her first novel.Disclaimer
*I received a free copy of this book for review via NetGalley. The opinions are my own.
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