May 2014, Curious Fox, 216 pages, Paperback, Review copy
Themes: making friends, bullying, starting new
school, gender identification, modelling, trouble with parents, using a
solicitor, finding yourself, acceptance,
Content: some physical and emotional abuse, tissue
needed
Summary from Curious Fox
"Why does it matter whether I am a boy or a girl? But it does. It
really, really matters." When Alex was born, the doctors described him
as “sexually ambiguous”, with both male and female reproductive organs.
For the last fourteen years his parents have raised Alex as a boy. They
dressed him in boys’ clothes, sent him to a boys’ school and gave him
medication to help regulate his hormones. But last night at dinner, Alex
made an announcement, three words that would change everything: “I’m a
girl”. And when Alex sets about changing her life – her wardrobe, her
school, her entire identity – no one knows how to react, least of all
her parents.
Nayuleska's thoughts
I knew Alex's tale would be a thought
provoking read, yet I underestimated how heavy it was. Life is hard for Alex,
who wants to be a girl despite Alex's parents bringing her up a boy due to her
dual gender. That by itself is tough for an adult to deal with, let alone a
teen. What makes it harder is the lack of support from Alex's family which
leads to legal intervention as more issues are revealed. Alex doesn't have a
close friend to help get her through it. I'm calling Alex a her because that's
who she feels she is. Alex eventually makes a friend in a roundabout way, which
helps a little.
I think it's sad that people in Alex's situation have to
rapidly mature mentally to deal with other people's ignorance. What Alex is
subjected to by both her parents and her peers made me cry and want to curl up
in a ball for Alex's sake. Alex isn't perfect, she does some crazy things which
aren't right and has to deal with the consequences, but she isn't the nightmare
her parents make her out to be.
I
loved how Alex managed to find courage to do what she wanted, rather than what
others wanted her to do. I'd have preferred not to have the occasional strong
and inde9th thoughts that males have, but that's the only thing I wasn't keen
on. There isn't a clear path for Alex, and I doubt that the future will be
sunshine and roses. Hopefully there will be some fun - by the end Alex ends up
in fashion which I believe will be the gateway to her future.
Find out more on Alyssa's website.
Suggested read
For another teen going through a tough time
is Alice in Looking For JJ by Anne Cassidy (Young Adult, 10E/10E)
No comments:
Post a Comment