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jennifermreads's review against another edition
4.0
Poetry and verse are not my favorite genres of writing. In fact, my mother has to remind me continually that I absolutely adore Shakespeare and his works are poetry of the epic kind! But poetry and verse are not story-telling versions I can settle into comfortably; it definitely takes me 20 pages or so before I feel like I am hearing what the author is telling me rather than focusing on the manner in which it is told.
Freakboy is told from three viewpoints: Brendan who is struggling with his gender identity, his girlfriend Vanessa, and Angel who is comfortable in her transgender skin but still struggles with acceptance. The verse was comfortable for me – once I got into its rhythm which as I explained is my own struggle and not a fault of the author. And the multi-voice format is one of my favorite ways to hear/read a story.
I really did enjoy the extra communications that the author conveyed on some pages. As with Ellen Hopkins books, the shapes of some verses, emphasized words, and even word spacing provide a whole different verse-within-a-verse.
In her author’s note at the start of the book, Ms. Clark says “It is my hopeful intention that this will lead to conversation that will in turn draw us all along the path to a greater understanding and acceptance of gender’s vast and lovely variation.” I appreciated the thoughts that rolled in my head while I read and after I finished. The book expanded my knowledge about those who are transgender. It was a challenge to question my beliefs and understandings but one that I welcomed.
It is encouraging to see that novels with LGBTQ characters are becoming a teensy more common. I do believe it is important that characters of all sexualities need to be such a regular occurrence that it is no longer seen as amazing when a book containing the other-than-heterosexual is released.
A worthy, thought-provoking addition to the novel-in-verse genre. And one that Ellen Hopkins fans are sure to gobble up!
Freakboy is told from three viewpoints: Brendan who is struggling with his gender identity, his girlfriend Vanessa, and Angel who is comfortable in her transgender skin but still struggles with acceptance. The verse was comfortable for me – once I got into its rhythm which as I explained is my own struggle and not a fault of the author. And the multi-voice format is one of my favorite ways to hear/read a story.
I really did enjoy the extra communications that the author conveyed on some pages. As with Ellen Hopkins books, the shapes of some verses, emphasized words, and even word spacing provide a whole different verse-within-a-verse.
In her author’s note at the start of the book, Ms. Clark says “It is my hopeful intention that this will lead to conversation that will in turn draw us all along the path to a greater understanding and acceptance of gender’s vast and lovely variation.” I appreciated the thoughts that rolled in my head while I read and after I finished. The book expanded my knowledge about those who are transgender. It was a challenge to question my beliefs and understandings but one that I welcomed.
It is encouraging to see that novels with LGBTQ characters are becoming a teensy more common. I do believe it is important that characters of all sexualities need to be such a regular occurrence that it is no longer seen as amazing when a book containing the other-than-heterosexual is released.
A worthy, thought-provoking addition to the novel-in-verse genre. And one that Ellen Hopkins fans are sure to gobble up!
ali_brarian's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoy books written in verse. This one told from different genders and perspectives is no exception. The text forming letters and silhouettes was a cool touch. Verse told from three different perspectives helped to give life to the characters - their personal journeys and struggles. Last book on my YALSA Hub Challenge list - mission accomplished!! Glad it was with such a strong book!
dendari's review against another edition
5.0
A novel length poem that really touches the feelings fo the characters.
babyfacedoldsoul's review against another edition
4.0
This was the first time in a long time I read a book in one sitting. While I found the format to falter at times this book grabs you by the heart and won't let go. I thought it was very well done, especially for a YA debut.
maliablue's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't enjoy this as much as I thought I would. It was interesting to read about the experience of being gender queer/ transgender, but I didn't feel like the characters were fleshed out at all. This was very much an "issues book", when I was hoping for it to be about people, individuals, who also happen to have a complex gender identity. It was a nice, fast read though.
spaceyboy's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Overall it was a good book, but the ending was disappointing
sc104906's review against another edition
2.0
Three teens speak in verse about their experience with gender and sexual identity. Brendan Chase has never felt comfortable in his own skin. There are times when he wishes he could like and act like a female, instead of the male that he is. Brendan has a difficult time accepting his own identity, let alone asking the people in his life to accept who he really is.
His girlfriend, Vanessa, is a tomboy and deals with constant bullying about her sexuality. Brendan, as her boyfriend, is the only person who makes her feel secure as a heterosexual female.
Finally, Angel has transitioned to female and works at a local GLBTQ support center. It is there that she helps others teens work through their own issues with identity. Clark shows how difficult it can be to determine identity, when it does not match the expected or standard.
For any teen who is questioning their own identity or who need more information about determining identity, this book presents these issues through several perspectives that are easy to connect to. It addresses homophobia and hetero-normativity. The messages presented by this book reach out to a section of issues that is underrepresented.
His girlfriend, Vanessa, is a tomboy and deals with constant bullying about her sexuality. Brendan, as her boyfriend, is the only person who makes her feel secure as a heterosexual female.
Finally, Angel has transitioned to female and works at a local GLBTQ support center. It is there that she helps others teens work through their own issues with identity. Clark shows how difficult it can be to determine identity, when it does not match the expected or standard.
For any teen who is questioning their own identity or who need more information about determining identity, this book presents these issues through several perspectives that are easy to connect to. It addresses homophobia and hetero-normativity. The messages presented by this book reach out to a section of issues that is underrepresented.
melissapalmer404's review against another edition
5.0
Book #95 Read in 2014
Freakboy by Kristin Elizabeth Clark (YA)
This is a young adult verse novel about a transgender teenager. Brendan feels that things are not right within his body. He feels drawn to a female identity. His girlfriend, Vanessa, knows that something is going on with him but he doesn't confide in her. Brendan meets Angel, a transgender young adult, and Angel begins to help him try to figure things out. This was a good, quick read. I borrowed this book from the public library.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
Freakboy by Kristin Elizabeth Clark (YA)
This is a young adult verse novel about a transgender teenager. Brendan feels that things are not right within his body. He feels drawn to a female identity. His girlfriend, Vanessa, knows that something is going on with him but he doesn't confide in her. Brendan meets Angel, a transgender young adult, and Angel begins to help him try to figure things out. This was a good, quick read. I borrowed this book from the public library.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com