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A review by celjla212
Freakboy by Kristin Elizabeth Clark
4.0
This was the first novel I've read in free verse, and I have to be honest, it isn't my favorite way to read. The line breaks and shapes interrupt the flow of reading. The subtle messages aren't so subtle. But I get it, this novel wasn't really written for someone like me. In spite of all that, I enjoyed it.
The book is written from three different characters' points of view. Brendan, high school jock who's beginning to think maybe being a boy isn't what's right for him. His girlfriend, Vanessa, who is in love/infatuation with Brendan, to the point that she's left all her other friends behind. And Angel, who runs a teen center in Brendan's town, and happens to know what he's going through, being trans herself.
The Brendan sections by far stood out the most, but I understand why we needed to hear from Vanessa too. When something as huge as your gender identity is in flux, it doesn't only affect one person. Brendan's whole world is changing. You can't help but feel sorry for him, as going through something like questioning your gender is hard enough; but add in the stress of high school and it's almost too much to handle.
This was a quick read even though it's over 400 pages, because the pages contain so little text. I hope other kids who may be struggling with questions such as Brendan had will find solace knowing that they're not alone. For that reason, this book needed to be written.
The book is written from three different characters' points of view. Brendan, high school jock who's beginning to think maybe being a boy isn't what's right for him. His girlfriend, Vanessa, who is in love/infatuation with Brendan, to the point that she's left all her other friends behind. And Angel, who runs a teen center in Brendan's town, and happens to know what he's going through, being trans herself.
The Brendan sections by far stood out the most, but I understand why we needed to hear from Vanessa too. When something as huge as your gender identity is in flux, it doesn't only affect one person. Brendan's whole world is changing. You can't help but feel sorry for him, as going through something like questioning your gender is hard enough; but add in the stress of high school and it's almost too much to handle.
This was a quick read even though it's over 400 pages, because the pages contain so little text. I hope other kids who may be struggling with questions such as Brendan had will find solace knowing that they're not alone. For that reason, this book needed to be written.