Sometimes the stories of anyone in the LGBTQ community are dire and seem to doom the individuals to an unhappy or tragic life. This is a novel and therefore fiction but is a lovely tale about a 6 week period of this boys' journey and the journey taken by his parents and friends. There is no real analysis of the people or families living with transgenderism. The world today is diving head first into an argument about transgenderism and unfortunately most 'information' is actually opinion. I hope I am wrong and there are some really neat characters in this book who come to EW's rescue.įtoM Trans Teen - a story of the journey. If I have a fault with this book it is that I don't believe Grady, would have found as many supporters in everyday society as she/he finds in this book. Meanwhile as an adult who likes well written intelligent, entertaining books I will keep reading EW just for the fun of it. I am not a doctor, but I watch them on TV and if I had a child having problems I would recommend finding an EW book on the subject. It is always a pleasure to read EW, even if the subject matter maybe difficult. This book, as well as the others is intelligently written and holds your attention at the same time. In this book she deals with Transgenders. In Gracie's Girl she handles homelessness. In Blind Faith she takes on death in the family. EW takes on some very difficult subjects, especially for the young. I don't read three books aimed toward kids unless the author is real good.

EW books are aimed at middle school age kids, mostly girls. One of the girls who reads a lot recommended Ellen Wittlinger to me. I used to teach a 5th and 6th grade Sunday School class. Grady's life is miserable until he finds friends in some unexpected places - like the school geek, Sebastian, who explains that there is precedent in the natural world (parrotfish change gender when they need to, and the newly male fish are the alpha males), and Kita, a senior who might just be Grady's first love.įrom acclaimed writer Ellen Wittlinger, this is the groundbreaking story of one teen's search for self and his struggle for acceptance.

Why can't people just let Grady be himself? His mother is upset, his younger sister is mortified, and his best friend, Eve, won't acknowledge him in public. While coming out as transgendered feels right to Grady, he isn't prepared for the reaction he gets from everyone else. Her whole life is leading up to the day she decides to become Grady, a guy.

Angela Katz-McNair has never felt quite right as a girl. Last week I cut my hair, bought some boys' clothes and shoes, wrapped a large ACE bandage around my chest to flatten my fortunately-not-large breasts, and began looking for a new name.

Parrotfish by ellen wittlinger