Scan barcode
A review by heykellyjensen
Freakboy by Kristin Elizabeth Clark
3.0
2.5ish.
Brendan is a wrestler. He's got a great girlfriend named Vanessa. But that's where all of the "good" in his life really ends. Brendan's family life isn't stable, and Brendan doesn't know if he's entirely sure of who he is. He's questioning his sexuality -- even though Vanessa is great, he's wondering: am I really in the right body?
Vanessa loves Brendan, but she's about to find out that, while he loves her, he doesn't know if she's the right match because he doesn't know what it is he wants or needs.
Then there's Angel, who works at the local safe center. Where kids and teens who need a place to be themselves -- a place where they're accepted for whoever it is they need to be -- can feel safe. Oh and Angel is trans.
One night, after a fit of rage, Brendan throws a rock at the safe center's window. Breaks it. Angel and the others who find this a safe space no longer do. Because it seems like someone is targeting them. Except, of course, that's not the case. Brendan will eventually admit to this, and Angel will become Brendan's biggest ally as he questions who it is he is and who it is he wants to be.
This is a gritty novel in verse and will have mega appeal to fans of Ellen Hopkins. The styles are similar and there's no flinching in content. All of these kids have it hard, and they're all struggling. It's not just a story about sexuality, though that plays a large role in the story. There's also broken families, tough school situations when it comes to peers and peer pressure, the challenges of romance, and more.
That said, the verse didn't give me enough depth into the story and I wanted more. It worked for Brendan's questioning, for sure, but I wanted more. It wasn't until the final 1/4 of the book that all of the pieces came together but it was that final 1/4 that made me want to know all of these characters a lot better, particularly Vanessa and Angel, who take second seats to Brendan.
I don't think this trans novel is as strong as some of the others I've read, but it is a hugely welcome addition and I think it will find a nice readership.
Brendan is a wrestler. He's got a great girlfriend named Vanessa. But that's where all of the "good" in his life really ends. Brendan's family life isn't stable, and Brendan doesn't know if he's entirely sure of who he is. He's questioning his sexuality -- even though Vanessa is great, he's wondering: am I really in the right body?
Vanessa loves Brendan, but she's about to find out that, while he loves her, he doesn't know if she's the right match because he doesn't know what it is he wants or needs.
Then there's Angel, who works at the local safe center. Where kids and teens who need a place to be themselves -- a place where they're accepted for whoever it is they need to be -- can feel safe. Oh and Angel is trans.
One night, after a fit of rage, Brendan throws a rock at the safe center's window. Breaks it. Angel and the others who find this a safe space no longer do. Because it seems like someone is targeting them. Except, of course, that's not the case. Brendan will eventually admit to this, and Angel will become Brendan's biggest ally as he questions who it is he is and who it is he wants to be.
This is a gritty novel in verse and will have mega appeal to fans of Ellen Hopkins. The styles are similar and there's no flinching in content. All of these kids have it hard, and they're all struggling. It's not just a story about sexuality, though that plays a large role in the story. There's also broken families, tough school situations when it comes to peers and peer pressure, the challenges of romance, and more.
That said, the verse didn't give me enough depth into the story and I wanted more. It worked for Brendan's questioning, for sure, but I wanted more. It wasn't until the final 1/4 of the book that all of the pieces came together but it was that final 1/4 that made me want to know all of these characters a lot better, particularly Vanessa and Angel, who take second seats to Brendan.
I don't think this trans novel is as strong as some of the others I've read, but it is a hugely welcome addition and I think it will find a nice readership.