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Parrotfish
- By Ellen Wittlinger
- Genre: Coming of Age
Common Sense Media says
Good primer about what it means to be a transgendered teen.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this book centers on a transgender character (Grady was born a girl, but wants to live as a boy). When he starts to live openly as a boy, he's harassed at school by both boys and girls, faces resistance from school staff and an old friend, and even has some trouble at home.
What's the story?
When Grady decides to start living openly as a boy (instead of being a girl named Angela), he faces harassment at school, and hesitation from his oldest friend and some family members. But he also finds a new support system with friends who accept him, including a beautiful girl named Kita. Grady's family always puts on a big production for Christmas, including performing A Christmas Carol from inside the home for the whole town to see. This year, Grady rewrites the play to teach a powerful lesson about accepting change.
Is it any good?
What Ellen Wittlinger does really well here is spell out the everyday complications that Grady faces once he decides to live life as a boy. Not only does he have to explain his new identity to family members, but he also has to worry about more mundane things, such as which bathroom to use at school or where to shower after gym class. Grady's certainly brave, and his family -- especially his mother -- works hard to understand him. Readers will understand why little moments are such a big deal, such as when a cashier calls him "sir," or when his mother finally uses his new name.
A secondary storyline about Grady's Christmas-obsessed father is a bit over the top, but this obsession does set the stage for a dramatic last scene. In the end, this is a good primer for teens who are curious about what it means to be transgender.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about identity change. What ways do teens typically play with their identities (think changing hairstyle, dressing differently, etc.)? Ask kids what would happen at their schools if someone made a more major identity change, as Grady does. Would they be accepted?
In recent years there have been a lot more books featuring gay, bisexual, and transgendered characters. Is the same true for other forms of media, like TV, movies, or video games? What do you think of this trend? What sort of impact does it have on our culture?
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AGE
When I first picked up this book I almost put it down. But I have read many other books by Wittlinger and they all have been extremly good. When I finnished this book I was glad I hadn't quit reading. It gives a positive message about accepting other people, even if they are different from yourself.
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AGE
amazing
dont over look the minute things. if your kid is trying to tell you something listen! :) the book was amazing.
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AGE
Great Book For Everyone
Parrotfish is a great book that is very sweet and very funny. It's a wonderful read for everyone, transgender and cisgender alike.
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AGE
Wondermous.
This book was a great read for myself.
It was a book that i could easily follow, and could relate too, though i am NOT transgendered. I was able to relate to the thoughts on how Angela/Grady felt about dividing everything, male vs. female, blue vs. pink., and where to play in the pool.
I loved how this book showed the feelings and thoughts of her mother and father, and how the school handled such a situation. The mother thought differently about the situation then the father, while the father was fine with it. And the school,oh my. I enjoyed reading about all the drama that happened in the school. About how Grady's best friend left him for a posse of horridly mean girls, the dramatic yet realistic love story that slowly unfolds, and of course the hero, Sebastia. Sebastian is a small teen that becomes Grady's best friend and go-to-man.
The ending is happy, which made me enjoy the book even more. And each page had a funny line, that i giggled to myself about.
GREAT. AWESOME. WOW.
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AGE
Love!
This book sends a superb message while being socially educational. It teaches about gender identity, complications, and coming to terms.
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| Author: | Ellen Wittlinger |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Coming of Age |
| Publisher: | Simon & Schuster |
| Publication date: | July 10, 2007 |
| Number of pages: | 304 |
| Hardcover price: | $16.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 12 - 12 |
| Read aloud: | 14 |
| Read alone: | 14 |
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