Parrotfish

Ellen Wittlinger 2007. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. 294 pages. ISBN 078-1-4169-1622-2.

Plot Summary: 16-year-old Angela has decided she’s not a girl named Angela anymore; she is now a boy named Grady. Grady never felt right about being a girl—now he’s going public with his new identity. How his parents and her schoolmates will react is now the question.

Critical evaluation: This is a positive, hopeful look at transgenderism. Grady has some problems with his family and friends but not too many. He is lucky in gaining acceptance. While his story is a happy one, it’s a little too rosy to be completely realistic. But it’s a great book to teach about transgendered individuals, and a hopeful book for those questioning their own identity.

Reader’s Annotation: Will Grady’s friends learn to accept his new identity?

About the Author: Ellen Wittlinger was born and raised in Illinois. She went to college at Millikin University in Illinois and then received a MFA from the Iowa Writer’s Workshop at Iowa University. She published a book of poetry, Breakers, in 1979. She was a fellow for two years at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, MA, where she wrote fiction, poetry, plays and also wrote for the local newspaper. Witlinger states that it wasn’t until she had two children of her own and was working as a children’s librarian that she thought about writing books for children. Her first book, Lombardo’s Law, was published in 1993 and she went on to write 13 other young adult books. Love and Lies: Marisol’s Storyis her most recent book. You can learn more at her web site http://www.ellenwittlinger.com.

Genre: GLBT

Curriculum ties: Might be helpful for a class in sexuality, or to have on hand to give to a questioning teen.

Booktalking ideas: What does it mean to be transgendered?

Reading Level/Interest Age: Grades 9 and up.

Challenge Issues: There is no sexual material in the book, but the notion of gender change might be an issue for some schools.

Why Chosen: It was assigned! It is a great book for discussed transgender issues with teens.