Summary
Grady knows he's a boy, but almost everyone still insists on calling him Angela. His family treats his transition as a phase, and his former best friend shuns him at school. As others at school begin to torment him, Grady discovers new friends who accept his true identity.
Grady knows he's a boy, but almost everyone still insists on calling him Angela. His family treats his transition as a phase, and his former best friend shuns him at school. As others at school begin to torment him, Grady discovers new friends who accept his true identity.
Evaluative comments
Parrotfish is one of the few teen books with a transgender main character. Through Grady, Wittlinger reflects on issues such as gender identity, transphobia, and gender stereotypes in a sensitive manner. The characters are fully developed, and while Grady's transition certainly provides the primary context for the novel, there are episodes and events that are not directly related. This wider focus lends the book more depth and saves it from becoming preachy.
Parrotfish is one of the few teen books with a transgender main character. Through Grady, Wittlinger reflects on issues such as gender identity, transphobia, and gender stereotypes in a sensitive manner. The characters are fully developed, and while Grady's transition certainly provides the primary context for the novel, there are episodes and events that are not directly related. This wider focus lends the book more depth and saves it from becoming preachy.
Suggested audience
Grades 9-12
Grades 9-12
Reader’s advisory notes
Appeal terms - Issue-oriented, character-driven, leisurely paced, angst-filled, emotionally intense, reflective, thoughtful
Read-alikes - I am J, Cris Beam; Luna, Julie Anne Peters
Appeal terms - Issue-oriented, character-driven, leisurely paced, angst-filled, emotionally intense, reflective, thoughtful
Read-alikes - I am J, Cris Beam; Luna, Julie Anne Peters
Booktalking hook
Read Grady's imagined dialogues between his sister and mother (pp. 7-8) and between him and his former best friend (pp. 14-15)
Reason for inclusion
Awards and Honours - Finalist, Lambda Literary Awards, 2008; NYPL Books for the Teen Age list, 2008; Nominated: ALA Stonewall Awards, 2008; Advocate Top Picks for Trans YA Fiction
ALA Rainbow List, 2008; Nominated: Cybils, 2007
ALA Rainbow List, 2008; Nominated: Cybils, 2007
Category
LGBTQ, Realistic, Award-Winning
LGBTQ, Realistic, Award-Winning
