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Cycler
- By Lauren McLaughlin
- Genre: Coming of Age
Common Sense Media says
Twisted gender ID tale rife with sex-talk topics.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that there's underage drinking, a broken marriage, homophobia, sex, bisexual friends, and a girl that transforms into a boy every month during her period (well-described). Yep, you heard right. This book is sure to present questions on gay, lesbian, and transgender lifestyles, as well as questions about sex in general.
What's the story?
Jill changes into a boy every month during her period. It's weird, it's awful, and it complicates the important things in life, like prom, hanging with her best friend, and her crush on Tommy. Things begin to get even more crazy when "Jack," Jill's male alter ego, becomes stronger and stronger and begins to exert his will over Jill's life. Now that Jack and Jill are competing for the same space, things are going to get tough.
Is it any good?
CYCLER starts of with a bang and confusion and that confusion continues throughout the book. Jill becomes a boy "Jack" for four days during her period and the author, Lauren McLaughlin, examines Jill's relationships through both Jill's and her alter ego Jack's eyes. We see her parents' very troubled and dysfunctional marriage, we see a close and sexually charged relationship with her best friend, and the relationship with her crush Tommy. It's easy to see how McLaughlin draws parallels between Jill's confusing relationships and her sexual identity issues.
The book does several things really well: It uses Jill's transformation to grapple with the feelings of teens who are gay, bisexual, or transgendered while highlighting acceptance issues among friends, families, and schoolmates. It's also pretty funny at times. What it doesn't do well is make a case for the ending. It's ambiguous and issues of sexuality aren't resolved in the length of a novel or even a lifetime, but that's being generous. The audience will likely find themselves wanting more of an explanation of Jill's condition, her parents' marriage woes, and more.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the differences between the sexes and if the differences are a product of environment or genetics or both. What would you do in Jill/Jack's shoes? How would it make your life more complicated? How is life more difficult for the bisexual student? Families can also talk about the different types of discrimination people can encounter.
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AGE
Good for Anyone Wanting a New Idea
This was a very interesting book, with a fabulous beginning idea. The idea that Jill can turn into Jack for a few days each month and be a completely different person with a completely different view is very, well, interesting! The plot twists and turns, there's things to break your heart, and there's things that make you want to shout for joy. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone willing to read it who isn't put-off by the used language and many references to sex and sexuality.
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AGE
I cant wait to buy the sequel !
AMAZINNGG !
OMG
!
I read it in 2 dayss !
I couldnt put it down !
Kinda confusing at the beginning but now I cant wait to but the next onee !
:)
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| Author: | Lauren McLaughlin |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Coming of Age |
| Publisher: | Random House |
| Publication date: | August 26, 2008 |
| Number of pages: | 256 |
| Hardcover price: | $17.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 12 - 14 |
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