A trans adult looks back at his early years.Cartoonist Hancox follows a recognizable trans memoir format in this brief graphic novel. From a childhood of hating dolls and dresses to a goth adolescence, the horrors of puberty, and coming out first as a lesbian and then as a trans man, the author often inserts his White, bearded, baseball-capped adult self into fraught scenes to assure his younger self that everything will turn out all right. The author grew up in the small British town of St. Helens, and the dialogue and narration are littered with regional slang, some of which sets the scene, adding cultural flavor, and some of which becomes repetitive and distracting. While there's no shortage of angst and self-loathing (including brief, matter-of-fact, but honest descriptions of his eating and exercise disorders), this is overall a positive account, as Hancox's family reacts supportively both times he comes out, and he's able to access medical transition at a relatively early age. He also maintains his old friendships. There's little mention of other trans people outside of a few YouTube videos. While the story is basic, the emotionally brutal yet stripped-down art helps create immediacy and intimacy. Hancox describes the process of writing this book as therapeutic, and readers might find it so as well.An honest and personal journey through a trans youth. (Graphic memoir. 13-18)

Gr 10 Up A trans adult speaks to his teenage self in this heartfelt, fourth wallbreaking graphic memoir. The narrative is separated into two parts, covering Hancox's high school years and college years respectively, and he freely uses his deadname, Lois, as well as she/her pronouns to describe his younger self. In high schoolas much fun as "soggy ham butties"teenage Lewis just wants to fit in and be "normal." He also struggles with anorexia and an exercise disorder. Despite sharing with his mom at age eight that he's a boy, Lewis tries to "bottle up the boy inside" as an angsty teen. Lewis's college years bring more positive moments of self-discovery, and a new emo look, as he comes out as lesbian, then trans. With support of family and friends, Lewis ultimately seeks gender-affirming carebrilliantly depicted as a series of boss battles. As author and adult narrator, Hancox maintains a frank yet humorous tone without shying away from painful moments. The winning combination of British slang, pop culture references, and technology help establish the early 2000s setting. Much like "St. Hell""where all is grey"the illustrations are fittingly black and white. Some images realistically depict aspects of puberty (e.g., menstruation, pubic hair, breasts) and transitioning (e.g., testosterone injections, binding, packers). There is also a short sex scene that includes unhooking a bra, lying in bed together, and implied masturbation under sheets. Back matter includes actual photographs of Hancox and crew. All characters appear white, except Hancox's friend Jess, who has darker skin. VERDICT Recommended for all teen (and college) collectionsand, sadly, one likely to draw significant attention in today's culture wars. Alec Chunn