Whatever Happened to Lani Garver

This is one of the best young adult novels that I have ever read, period.

The central female character is Claire McKenzie who is in remission from leukemia she suffered during junior high school. She befriends a new student named Lani Garver who, at first, the others are unable to determine what gender the person is. Lani exhibits behaviors of both genders at times, and has a past history of having a lot of trouble due to people being hostile to him, assuming that he is gay.

Claire, herself, is not in any great shape. Her mother is an alcoholic and she is beginning to have an eating disorder problem. Further, the more she watches her friends and other students she knows be nasty to Lani, the more upset she becomes.

In the end, her friendship costs her virtually all her friends, and nearly costs her life.

The story is excellently told. A tremendous examination of homophobia (including the hating of transgendered people, etc), and the lengths people will go to convince themselves that certain things happened when, in fact, they didn't. Claire comes across as a girl possessing great inner strength, even if she doesn't realize that at first.

It's also about the corruption of a small town, and how rich and powerful people can usually get away with just about anything they want to.

There is also a strong spiritual message in the book dealing with angels and the effect they can have on people's lives.

This is an absolute must-read for everyone.

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