PRE-ORDER NOW - Obie Is Man Enough by Schuyler Bailar

 

COMING September 7, 2021

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A coming-of-age story about transgender tween Obie, who didn't think being himself would cause such a splash. For fans of Alex Gino's George and Lisa Bunker's Felix Yz.

Obie knew his transition would have ripple effects. He has to leave his swim coach, his pool, and his best friends. But it's time for Obie to find where he truly belongs.

As Obie dives into a new team, though, things are strange. Obie always felt at home in the water, but now he can't get his old coach out of his head. Even worse are the bullies that wait in the locker room and on the pool deck. Luckily, Obie has family behind him. And maybe some new friends too, including Charlie, his first crush. Obie is ready to prove he can be one of the fastest boys in the water--to his coach, his critics, and his biggest competition: himself. 

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Obie is Man Enough is an wonderful coming of age story by Schuyler Bailar. 

This story follows Obie who's a transgender middle school student. His story is powerful, heart breaking, and also inspirational. In other words, this is not an easy read. 

The writing is fabulous. It's flows great and the storyline will keep you riveted. The author excels in addressing many issues involved with being a transgender child. And it's heart wrenching at times. The author writes with knowledge, care, and compassion. And also hope. 

I love this story. I wish it didn't have to be told, but damn, the world needs more stories like this. 

Obie's journey from being a kid with good friends and a great swimmer, to living his truth, and facing the consequences, is extremely heartfelt and honest. 

His experiences with an transphobic coach and his former friends had me wanting to just hug him and protect him. But through it all, Obie lives his truth. 

Not all trans kids have a lot of support, but Obie does have some, which is fabulous. His story is similar to a kid I know personally, but not everyone is lucky enough to have parents like Obie's.

This is a story I'd recommend to anyone looking to read about a transgender child's journey, or to learn more about the emotions involved with being trans. That said, although Obie's journey is tough and multi-layered, his parents are fully supportive. Obie's a child who was able to start on hormone blockers early on, and then adding T later. Not all parents are so wonderfully supportive. 

Thus, if you're looking for a story of a trans child who doesn't have support at home, skip this one. 

But if you're looking for a story about a trans child who's family is supportive, but the rest of his life is a struggle, this is for you. 

And, honestly, one of my favorite parts is the way the author explores how Obie's friends feel. It's horrible, trust me, but I appreciate the thoughts that drive the friends. 

I also appreciate the sports aspect. As we all know, there's a lot of controversy about trans students playing sports. It's a messy and long drawn out issue in the world today. I like that the author addresses this issue. 

Obie is Man Enough is truly a great read. Schuyler Bailar excels in capturing the pain involved with dealing with transphobia. This is one I highly recommend. 

The Princess of Baker Street by Mia Kerick

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Blurb

When she was a child, Joey Kinkaid, assigned as a boy at birth—wearing Mom’s purple sundress and an imaginary crown—ruled the Baker Street neighborhood with a flair and imagination that kept the other kids captivated. Day after day, she led them on fantastic after-school adventures, but those innocent childhood days are over, and the magic is gone. The princess is alone.

Even Eric Sinclair, the Prince Eric to Joey’s Princess Ariel, has turned his back on his former friend, watching in silence as Joey is tormented at school. Eric isn’t proud of it, but their enchanted youth is over, and they’ve been thrust into a dog-eat-dog world where those who conform survive and those who don’t… well, they don’t. Eric has enough to deal with at home, where his mother has abandoned him to live in isolation and poverty.

But Eric can’t stay on the sidelines forever. When Joey finally accepts her female gender and comes to school wearing lip gloss, leggings, and a silky pink scarf, the bullies readily take the opportunity she hands them, driving Joey to attempt suicide and leaving Eric at a crossroads—one that will influence both their lives in not just the present, but the future.

Is there a chance the two teens can be friends again, and maybe even more?

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

The Princess of Baker, by Mia Kerick, is a phenomenal young adult story of a transgender child.

This story gives us an accurate description of the social politics in middle school. It's not easy to read, but it is realistic. It's the tough tale of the battle between being loyal to a friend versus being afraid of the ramifications to your own life. 

Joey loses his good friends as he starts 7th grade wearing a dress. Now it's 8th grade and his former best friend, Eric, is partnered up in class with Joey.

This story is remarkably told by Eric's point of view, as he fully accepts Joey as a girl, and is even attracted to Joey. But, he fears being seen with Joey, as he sees it as social suicide. Eric needs to fit in, not stand out.  

Eric's struggle is well written, well explored and well developed. He does his share of reflecting back on his adventures with Joey, remembering what a cool kid Joey was, with his huge imagination.   

In addition, Joey's own story is heart wrenching and absolutely tragic. His loneliness is awful and had me wanting to take him in as my own. 

The few insights into Joey's thoughts are well developed and perfectly placed. Joey is such an amazing young man.  

The Princess Of Baker Street is an amazingly emotional ride. I hurt for Joey and Eric. Their relationship is realistic, sad and poignant. This Mia Kerick novel is accomplished and I highly recommend it. It definitely needs to be read by pre-teens and teens, as well as adults.