Almost Perfect is an honest look at the rarely explored subject of transgender issues (Luna by Julie Ann Peters is another good one). As one reviewer noted, it is a pretty "clean" book for one that deals with sexuality and identity. There are some funny parts mixed in all the angst. It is written by a school librarian, Brian Katcher. I liked it a lot and have nominated it for this year's James Cook award. Winner of this year's Stonewall Children's and Young Adult Literature Award. I'd recommend it for high school and progressive middle school libraries.
I'm not sure that I would book talk except to individuals and small groups or mature classes that I knew well enough to be feel they could handle the topic.
7 comments:
This is not a book I would normally choose to read, but it sounds like one that I should read to take me out of my comfort zone a little. I appreciate the tip for using it (or not) in a book talk.
I agree with Vanessa, I would typically not a book like this but after reading your blog I think it would be good for me to broaden my horizons. I think the book talk would be used with a certain group of mature kids that wouldn't be offended by the book.
This book almost begs to be read due to the unusual story line. It will go on my "to read" list. I would like to be prepared to discuss this book with my own teenagers!
K. McCready
I think this is definitely something I'd like to read. I checked out Luna from the library to read for my edgy book blog, so it might be interesting to read both and do a comparison. This is going on my list of books to read.
The description of this book reminds me of the article we read in class last night about the teenager who was wondering why his school library did not have books that addressed things that he was dealing with in his own life. It sounds like this book would be a great choice to add to a high school library because it could appeal students whose reading needs are often overlooked. Also, I enjoyed your book talk on this last night in class.
This book has a very interesting topic and I think it could be very different then the typical books high school students would read. I think you would need a mature group of students for this book.
This sounds like a really interesting read. This is an issue that, I suspect, will become more of a public debate as transgendered people "come out." I was very intrigued when you book talked it during class. I wonder how readily it would be accepted in many of our local or regional high schools?
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