Luna

This is another book by Julie Anne Peters, one of the best authors of young adult novels that there is.

This book concerns Regan and her brother, Liam, who is transgendered. It's the story of how Liam's transgenderism becomes more and more obvious until finally Liam takes the name Luna and begins to spread her wings as a girl.

This is not done without a price, though, especially in this society. She already has a dysfunctional family, and Luna's transition adds even more strain. Luna is assulted, mocked, sneered at and otherwise made fun of by teenagers and adults alike, yet she remains true to what she is.

The situation becomes so bad that Regan must face the possibility that her brother/sister will leave home forever in order to have a chance at the life she knows should be hers.

The novel does a lot of intelligent explaining of transgenderism and gives excellent, very realistic examples of the types of troubles that close family members have accepting that fact that one of their own is in the "wrong" body. The novel also shows, again very realistically, the types of reactions people in society have towards seeing someone who is transgendered and who "dares" to appear in public in their "real" (not their birth) gender clothing.

This is a novel that shows great sensitivity towards the subject from virtually all angles, a realistic, practical, believable story that is told in a fashion that keeps the reader wanting to keep reading.

This is an absolute must-have for anyone who wants to learn anything about transgenderism, especially how it can affect young people.