Book Title: Gracefully Grayson
Author: Ami Polonsky
Published Date: November 4th, 2014
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Genre: MG/Contemporary/LGBT
Standalone
Book Link: Goodreads
Purchase Links: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, The Book Depository
Synopsis from Goodreads
Alone at home, twelve-year-old Grayson Sender glows, immersed in beautiful thoughts and dreams. But at school, Grayson grasps at shadows, determined to fly under the radar. Because Grayson has been holding onto a secret for what seems like forever: “he” is a girl on the inside, stuck in the wrong gender’s body.
The weight of this secret is crushing, but leaving it behind would mean facing ridicule, scorn, and rejection. Despite these dangers, Grayson’s true self itches to break free. Strengthened by an unexpected friendship and a caring teacher who gives her a chance to step into the spotlight, Grayson might finally have the tools to let her inner light shine.
Debut author Ami Polonsky’s moving, beautifully-written novel shines with the strength of a young person’s spirit and the enduring power of acceptance.
Disclaimer: Library book.
Review
Well first of all, I didn’t even realize this was a middle grade book. Whooops! Even after I found that out, I still wanted to give this book a shot. There are so few books about transgender kids, and there really should be a lot more.
I wasn’t really into the characters. Grayson was the best part of the book and for the most part, I did like him. I enjoyed watching his transformation. I just wished there had been more about his feelings about things. I mean, near the end we finally started to see some real change in how he represented himself, but it just took a long time to get there.
There was an element of secrets in there that I was not expecting and it was the only time I was truly shocked by the events in the book. The rest of the book was very predictable. Add that to the overall blandness of the book, and you’ll see why I couldn’t enjoy this book the way I wanted to.
Grayson’s been living with his aunt and uncle since he was little. His aunt did not take things well, and I went from liking her initially, to really hating her for how she handled the whole thing. His uncle was awesome and I loved his uncle for how he supported Grayson.
Unfortunately, this book let me down in a big way. I don’t know if it was because it was a middle grade book or if the lackluster character development was really as weak as I thought it was. Unfortunately, I have to give this book 3 stars.
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