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Parrotfish (by Ellen Wittlinger)

common sense media says

Good primer about what it means to be a transgendered teen.


parents & educators say
  • 33% say there are positive role models
  • 33% say there are positive messages

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.

Educational value: Good primer for teens who are curious about what it means to be transgender. Spells 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.
Positive messages: Speaks to tolerance, and accepting change in other people.
Positive role models: 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.
Violence: Bullies throw milk on Grady in the school cafeteria. A pack of girls verbally harass him, and plan a cruel prank.
Sex: Grady has a crush on a girl and, in one intimate moment, they share a French fry.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Parrotfish

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • 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?

What's the story?

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?

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.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Ellen Wittlinger
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication date: July 10, 2007
Number of pages: 304
Hardcover price: $16.99
Read Aloud: 14
Read Alone: 14

This review was written by Kate Pavao
 
 

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What parents & educators say

12
Based on 3 parent & educator reviews:
  • 33% say there are positive role models
  • 33% say there are positive messages
  • 33% say it's educational

Most useful reviews by all members

P.Steel
teen, 15 years old
 
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.

 
amazing
dont over look the minute things. if your kid is trying to tell you something listen! :) the book was amazing.

paperclips0021
teen, 18 years old
 
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.

Shannon96
teen, 15 years old
 

 
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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