Adolescence is a hard time for everyone, you can’t deny it. You’re somewhere between a kid and an adult, expected to walk the thin line between obedience to elders and responsibility for one’s own actions. It’s tough for everyone, but for some kids, it can be even worse.
This is the story of one of those kids, and his struggles to find lasting friendship, deal with his alternative family, and confront a truth about himself that will change his life forever.
Book Description
“My name is Liv (Not Olivia)… I’m not technically a girl.
I’m Transgender. Which is a bit like being a transformer. Only not quite as cool as cool because I probably won’t get to save the world one day.”
A Transformer is a robot in disguise. Liv is a boy in disguise. It’s that simple. Liv knows he was always meant to be a boy, but with his new school’s terrible dress code, he can’t even wear pants. Only skirts.
Operation: Pants Project begins! The only way for Live to get what he wants is to go after it himself. But to Liv, this isn’t just a mission to change the policy- it’s a mission to change his life. And that’s a pretty big deal.
My Rating
I was immediately on Liv’s side. I know what it’s like to be pressed into a pink box by those who should have your back, and to be ostracized when you find that the box and labels just don’t fit. Throwing off the shackles of societal expectations is hard enough for an adult, but for a kid, it’s an exercise in self-knowledge and bravery that is commendable no matter how the kid handles the situation – just by having lived through it.
The inclusion of a two-mom family in this book was great, and the fact that it didn’t overshadow the whole story was a real plus. The story is, and should be, more about the struggle of Liv to come to terms with being transgender and what that means for himself personally and his social relationships.
I really loved this book, and I give it five of five stars for being relatable, cute, and a good message. I can’t wait to buy a copy for my kids to read!