Regan’s brother Liam can’t stand the person he is during the day. Like the moon from whom Liam has chosen his female namesake, his true self, Luna, only reveals herself at night. In the secrecy of his basement bedroom Liam transforms himself into the beautiful girl he longs to be, with help from his sister’s clothes and makeup.
Now, everything is about to change-Luna is preparing to emerge from her cocoon. But are Liam’s family and friends ready to welcome Luna into their lives? Compelling and provocative, this is an unforgettable novel about a transgender teen’s struggle for self-identity and acceptance.
I am on the home stretch of Molly Horan’s list of 15 YoungAdult Books Every Adult Should Read. The next book I read from the list was Luna by Julie Anne Peters
I was very excited to read this book. I had not previously seen a young adult book that focused on the LGBT community, specifically on a Transgendered person. Liam/Luna’s story is one that needed to be told. I thought the concept of having the POV from the sister of a pre-trans woman (genetically male transitioning to female) was exceptional. Because being a Trans affects the whole family and I thought this book did a great job showing that. I really liked this book. It was interesting, factual, captivating, heartbreaking, tragic, and a true must read for everyone.
I liked that while the topic of the book was super heavy the author still managed to create levity by having the POV from the sibling (Regan) as opposed to Liam/Luna. If the book focused on Luna it may have been too heartbreaking to read. It was touching to see Luna come to terms with who she is while at the same time watching Regan live “normal” her life. It shows how completely life altering decisions can affect one person so completely and yet the other person has to try to continue living their lives. I love that it also shows the complete love and dedication that Regan has for her sister. That bond between the two is priceless and beautiful.
I thought the way Julie Anne Peters was able to portray a wide variety of emotions through her writings was phenomenal. My emotions ran from scared for Luna, to relief for Regan for finally not having to keep this secret, to heartbreak for Aly (who discovers that she won’t get the man of her dreams) and then back to scared for Luna when she decides to be herself all within one sentence.
I think that this is an important book for all teens to read, not just for an LGBT teen. This can help people understand how hard this decision is for any Trans person and how hard it is for the family to come to terms with this change. I also believe that it could help any LGBT teen feel less alone and like an outsider.
4 Bards.
Moving! 