Parrotfish

Title Parrotfish

Author Ellen Wittlinger

ISBN9787416916222

Publication Information – Simon and Schuster, 2007

 

Plot Summary- Angela has never felt right as a girl. As a junior in high school Angela realizes that she is really a boy, and changes her name to Grady. The decision to live as a transgendered person throws her family, her friends, and her school into chaos. Her mother and sister are mortified; her best friend refuses to acknowledge her in public; and the school has suddenly become a place of bullying and fear instead of a safe-haven. Grady, however, does not back down. His decision leads him to find new friends who accept him for who he is. Sebastian is the ostracized school nerd who does not seem to care about this transformation. In fact, he finds it fascinating. But as the bullying gets worse and his best friend continues to reject him, Grady questions whether the choice to be honest with his friends and family is the right one.

Critical Evaluation- What makes this novel fascinating is clearly the subject matter. Teenagers who are sexually experimenting or confused rarely find much help in the form of novels written for them. This is one of a growing genre that does. That said, the novel itself is rather simplistically written. It is scored by Renaissance Learning as a 4^th grade level read, and even my sophomores finished it in a night or two. The characters seem somewhat oversimplified in order to allow the central conflict to take center stage. The lines are clearly drawn and the resolution is a little too convenient. That said, this is still an important book that can help many students deal with issues in their lives. It acknowledges that sexuality is not as cut and dried as most people believe it is.

Finalist, Lambda Literary Awards, 2008
NYPL Books for the Teen Age list, 2008
Nominated: ALA Stonewall Awards, 2008
Advocate Top Picks for Trans YA Fiction
ALA Rainbow List, 2008
Nominated: Cybils, 2007

Reader's Annotation- Angela was clearly meant to be a boy. So when she changes her appearance and name to match how she feels, everyone around her is affected.

Author Information- Wittlinger writes in a variety of genres, drama, poetry, and prose. Although as a former librarian herself, she has a special love for young adult literature.

Curricular Ties- Health

Genre- GLBT literature, realistic

Book talking ideas- Is gender easily defined? Does Grady handle his situation wisely?

Challenge issues- I would be surprised if this book WEREN'T challenged in my school. Issues of concern would be transgender, gay, and lesbian discussions.

1. Re-read the text to familiarize myself with the story
   
2. Ask parents for their specific objections (they are required to file that with our school district)
   
3. Review approved books list from California Department of Education for similar materials
   
4. Review approaches from ALA
   

Interest Age- 14-18

Why I selected this piece – Assigned for class