Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews

After surviving a brutal attack, Amanda starts school in a new town. She plans to stay focused and get through senior year, but kind, attractive Grant causes a distraction that wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for her deepest secret. Russo has written a story that many trans teens—and adults—have been wanting: a sweet, believable romance that stokes the fires of hope without devolving into saccharine perfection or horrific tragedy. There is friction, from fear born of the violence Amanda has experienced, from dangers to girls that most boys don't feel, but Russo hasn't written yet another horror story that readers must endure along with its protagonist. There's confusion, levity, awkwardness, like any teen's story. There is friction from within Amanda. As her friend and transmother, or mentor, Virginia, says, she's "won the genetic lottery when it comes to passing." When they're deciding how to spend an evening, Amanda notes that Virginia's jaw is a little too strong, shoulders a little too wide to keep them both safe from detection. This is just one of many conflicting, confusing truths that help reflect some trans people's fear of violence and hostility in this moment in time—including the ones rightly called out when coming from others—such as the expectation of a perfect physical reflection of one's truest gender. Above all, this is a necessary, universal story about feeling different and enduring prejudices, and it's full of love, hope, engaging writing, and truth. (Fiction. 13 & up)

ALA Booklist (Fri Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2016)

Eighteen-year-old Amanda, the new girl at Lambertville High, has a closely guarded secret. At her old school, she was Andrew, battered and abused for being different. Following surgery, Amanda is now transsexual and has come to live with her divorced father, hoping to spend her last year in her new school as invisibly as possible e is emotionally numb from the ordeal of her life so far, the circumstances of which readers learn in a series of dramatic flashbacks. But then she meets sweet, gentle Grant and, despite herself and her fears, finds herself falling in love, and it's obvious he returns those feelings. But what will happen if he learns the truth? Russo, a trans woman, writes with authority and empathy, giving readers not only an intellectual but also an emotional understanding of Amanda and her compelling story. Never didactic, this debut is a valuable contribution to the slender but growing body of literature about trans teens. Pair this with Katie Rain Hill's memoir Rethinking Normal (2014).

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

After surviving a brutal attack, Amanda starts school in a new town. She plans to stay focused and get through senior year, but kind, attractive Grant causes a distraction that wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for her deepest secret. Russo has written a story that many trans teens—and adults—have been wanting: a sweet, believable romance that stokes the fires of hope without devolving into saccharine perfection or horrific tragedy. There is friction, from fear born of the violence Amanda has experienced, from dangers to girls that most boys don't feel, but Russo hasn't written yet another horror story that readers must endure along with its protagonist. There's confusion, levity, awkwardness, like any teen's story. There is friction from within Amanda. As her friend and transmother, or mentor, Virginia, says, she's "won the genetic lottery when it comes to passing." When they're deciding how to spend an evening, Amanda notes that Virginia's jaw is a little too strong, shoulders a little too wide to keep them both safe from detection. This is just one of many conflicting, confusing truths that help reflect some trans people's fear of violence and hostility in this moment in time—including the ones rightly called out when coming from others—such as the expectation of a perfect physical reflection of one's truest gender. Above all, this is a necessary, universal story about feeling different and enduring prejudices, and it's full of love, hope, engaging writing, and truth. (Fiction. 13 & up)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

In an illuminating debut guided by hope and overwhelming kindness, Russo demonstrates the challenges teens face in finding -the truest version- of themselves. Though she was born Andrew Hardy, Amanda always knew she was meant to be a girl. After enduring classroom bullies and her father-s admonishments to toughen up, Amanda moves to Atlanta with her mother for a long, difficult physical transition. Afterward, Amanda returns to her father and a new town in Tennessee, eager to finish high school and move to a big city. Amanda wishes to go unnoticed, but her beauty attracts friends and potential boyfriends. The more she begins to feel like -a normal teenage girl,- the more she becomes aware of the secrets those around her keep-secrets that, like hers, have the power to both destroy and liberate. Shifting between Amanda-s past and present, Russo gently examines the emotional journey of one trans teen, covering acceptable language, gender expectations, and the politics of going -stealth.- Though the Southern setting and religious undertones aren-t free of stereotypes, they serve as a sounding board for larger issues of identity and orientation. Ages 13-up. Agent: Sara Shandler and Joelle Hobeika, Alloy Entertainment. (May)

Voice of Youth Advocates

Amanda Hardy just wants to survive her senior year without attracting attention. Unfortunately, some people in her hometown cannot accept the recent measures she has taken to become a passing transgender woman. After a brutal attack that leaves permanent scars, Amanda and her parents decide that it is time for her to relocate. Amanda moves to the small Tennessee town where her father lives and tries unsuccessfully to keep to herself. Instead, she finds herself becoming close with a great set of friends and falling in love with a handsome and sensitive young man. She wants to come out to them but does not get the chance before a jealous classmate exposes her to the entire school.This book is overflowing with rich character development yet moves at a quick clip; nearly every page includes well-tuned dialog. Although Amanda's transsexuality is revealed quickly, the bulk of her backstory is revealed in deftly sprinkled flashbacks. This juxtaposition lends a suspenseful tautness to what could otherwise have felt like a traditional teen love story. The nuances of friendships in the slightly southern-gothic town play out exceptionally well, and even Amanda's parents have complex and realistic responses to various plot developments. Amanda herself is instantly endearing; it is easy to see why it was impossible for her to remain friendless despite her efforts. Finally, this is a fully realized narrative about the trials of teen life that can appeal to anyone regardless of their interest in LGBTQ subjects.Liz Sundermann.