Title: Luna
Author: Julie Anne Peters
Series: N/A
Published: February 2006 by Little Brown
Length: 246 pages
Warnings: attempted
suicide, transphobia
Source: bought
Summary : Regan's
brother Liam can't stand the person he is during the day. Like the moon from
whom Liam has chosen his female namesake, his true self, Luna, only reveals
herself at night. In the secrecy of his basement bedroom Liam transforms
himself into the beautiful girl he longs to be, with help from his sister's
clothes and makeup. Now, everything is about to change-Luna is preparing to
emerge from her cocoon. But are Liam's family and friends ready to welcome Luna
into their lives? Compelling and provocative, this is an unforgettable novel
about a transgender teen's struggle for self-identity and acceptance.
Review: Luna is a
transwoman who was given the name Liam, but first thought herself as Lia Marie
and then as Luna. For years, she’s only been dressing as herself at night in
the basement she shares with her sister, Regan. This is the story as she starts
to transition and showing the world who she really is all the time, instead of
being a girl who can only be seen by moonlight.
Basic research of LGBTQ YA told me that Julie Anne Peters
was a good writer. I chose to read this
one by her because it was actually at the shop.
I really like the fact that it’s told through the eyes of
Luna’s sister, Regan. It brings a totally different perspective to the story
compared to stories told through the eyes of LGBT teens, showing the family a
little more, and making it easier to relate to the story for the majority of
readers.
Both Luna and Regan have issues to overcome. Luna, as well
as being trans, has attempted suicide, and relies on Regan to hide. Regan in
turn has become not very comfortable regarding romance and friendship, and is
not independant at all. The co-dependance leads to a most beautiful ending.
Both Luna and Regan develop a lot over the course of the novel, and watching
Luna’s confidence grow and grow was wonderful. Teri Lynn, a transwoman who Luna
looks up to, is a wonderful way of showing Luna’s potential.Regan’s insecurities
make her relatable and likeable.
This is a good book, I think, for cis people to understand
some of the things that some trans* people face. It’s written from a cis perspective,
and the narrator is having to understand her sister’s issues from a cis
perspective, and shows family effects well.
The ending was really emotional. I don’t often cry at books,
but this one made me cry. Not in a bad way, it’s a happy ending, but it’s an
open-ended culmination to the story that hints at good things for both Luna and
Regan.
Overall: Strength 4 tea to an emotional and educational
novel about a determined main character and her search for acceptance.
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Nina xxx