The volatile and mysterious Leo has been transferred to Eden Park school after an incident at his previous school. There he attracts the attention of David. They both have something in common - they are keeping a big secret about their life. Leo's life is about to change drastically when his secret is found out and spread around the school. But this has a positive impact on David - it makes him reveal his secret to Leo, and as a result they realise they should be truthful to themselves and show everyone who they really are.
A wonderful story about transgender, identity, being true to yourself, standing up to bullies, and the strength of friendship. Also check out Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky for slightly younger children.
I'd kept reading about this book, and what made me want to read it myself was that it was about a girl being trapped in a boy's body, but written for 10-11year olds. Usually, something with that subject matter would immediately be classed in the teen section as it would undoubtedly be about a teen with teen content. What a breath of fresh air then, to have a uniquely-themed issue book written for a younger audience.
Grayson's parents died in a car crash when he was very young, and so he now lives with his Aunt and Uncle. Grayson already knows that he wants to be a girl (in fact he has felt that he has always been a girl), he yearns to wear girls' clothes and do things that girls do. It is not something he has just decided, it is just who he is. However, of course what holds him back is fear - fear of the reaction of others. He takes his first step - he auditions for a female role in the school play. Unfortunately this has more repercussions than he could have imagined, and it is not just Grayson that ends up getting hurt.
This is a wonderful and moving book about gender, identity, acceptance, bullying, and understanding. I think it is a welcome move for an author to tackle such a subject and lay it open for a younger audience to read and understand; to accept that everyone has a right to be who they want to be, without any repercussions. The underlying message is that you have to be afraid in order to be brave, and once you are brave, you can do anything.
For older readers, check out The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson.
