Book Review-Grl2Grl by Julie Anne Peters

Title: Grl2Grl

 Author: Julie Anne Peters

Series:  N/A

Published:  1^st September 2007

Length: 160 pages

Warnings: child abuse, attempted rape

Source: Library

Other info: I really enjoyed Luna

Summary :I n this honest, emotionally captivating short story collection, renowned author and National Book Award finalist Julie Anne Peters offers a stunning portrayal of young women as they navigate the hurdles of relationships and sexual identity.
From the young lesbian taking her first steps toward coming out to the two strangers who lock eyes across a crowded train, from the transgender teen longing for a sense of self to the girl whose abusive father has turned her to stone, Peters is the master of creating characters whose own vulnerability resonates with readers and stays with them long after the last page is turned.
Grl2grl shows the rawness of teenage emotion as young girls become women and begin to discover the intricacies of love, dating and sexuality.

Review: I didn’t know what to expect from this. I really wasn’t paying attention when I got it from the library, so was surprised to find it was a collection of short stories.

Passengers-Tam starts getting to know the person on the train, and herself.
Can't Stop the Feeling-Mariah working up th courage to go to the GSA. Nice enough characters, open ending as to Mariah's choices later. I liked Lily.
After Alex- The dealing with Alex's break up with Rachel. Not much happened here.
Outside/Inside-Logan selects a card for the girl she likes. Nice little twist. This was a good one.
On the Floor-sporting competition. Not much happened.
Stone Cold Butch-Cammie's abusive father has made her cold. This was emotional.
Abstinence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder- a "sex ed" class leads to Aimee chatting to ex-best-friend Peyton, discussing things. Nice reunion. A little emotional.
Boi-the story of Vince, the transgender teen looking for hir sense of self, being looked after by hir brother Kevin, and ze gets attacked. This one was emotional. I got close to Vince in the story.
TIAD tells of two girls on a support forum, Scar_tissu and Black_Venus, who fall in love. This was a nice one.
Two-part Intervention-Kat and Annika, great friends, violinist and cellist, haven't seen eachother for a year. They reunite. Short, happy, nice use of music.

Most of these were too short. They all felt like they were the beginning of something, and were cut off before I  could make that much of a connection with the characters.

That said, there’s some great things in these stories. There’s a very large range of characters, and I think everyone will see something of themselves in at least one of them. There’s a lot of issues coming up-homophobia, transphobia, abuse and so on, which gives the book a rather depressing, pessimistic feel, but is good in showing how some people cope.  The writing was gentle and suited the themes well.

Overall:  Strength 2.5, just about more a 3, tea to a book with great themes and topics raised, but stories I couldn’t get in to.

Links: Amazon | Goodreads | Author website |

Book Review-Luna by Julie Anne Peters

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.

Links: Amazon | Goodreads | Author website |