Lucy, Uncensored

In Lucy, Uncensored, Lucy figures that college is going to be her fresh start. College means she can introduce herself as Lucy to people she hasn’t known since Kindergarten. Lucy and Callie have the perfect plan, to go to Central, which is only an hour away and has one of the most prestigious theater programs in the country. Unfortunately for Lucy when she gets to visit Central, it isn’t all that she hoped to be. Lucy stumbles upon a beautiful school that has a great theater program and happens to be on the list of the most LGBTQ+-friendly campuses. In addition to all of that, it's a women’s college but Lucy worries as she can’t find any information about them ever having admitted a trans woman. She’s worried about if they’ll let her in so Callie comes up with an awesome plan about road-tripping out there to see what is in store.

What I Liked: This book starts by introducing us to our main characters, Lucy and Callie, along with sharing their friendship. Callie and Lucy’s friendship is the foundation to this whole book as they do everything together. Throughout this book, there are moments in which their friendship is challenged but at the end of the day, this is the one thing that Lucy has that is a constant in her life. There are several moments in which Lucy makes the wrong choices and jeopardizes her friendship with Callie but these moments are reminders of what it is like to be a teenager. Some moments will have you laughing as these friends get into ridiculous shenanigans such as when they are in the bathroom because Callie is having a bad time after drinking way too much cider.

Throughout the book, you are also introduced to Lucy’s parents who are very protective of her even more so after she came out as Transgender. Lucy shares the concerns that her dad has and why they came about which reflect the current landscape for Transgender individuals even more so the violence that Trans women face regularly. While this isn’t a big plot point in the story, there are several moments in which it is brought up making it relevant to the decisions that Lucy makes for herself. This is especially important as Lucy interacts with Ian without informing him that she is Transgender and the events that ensue due to the omission of that information.

There are several moments in which Lucy experiences Transphobic remarks such as when she goes to visit Central, and then again when she goes to visit Botetourt College. In both of these moments, Lucy’s friends come to her aide and ensure her safety and well-being. While these moments show the reality for Transgender people when interacting with transphobic individuals, the incident with the sheriff’s office in which Lucy is outed seems out of place and unnecessary. This moment disrupts the story and shows Lucy that transphobic people will exist wherever she goes but that the more important piece of this is the people who support her. This moment also serves to show Lucy that her college decision shouldn’t be made just based on the one negative experience she had at Central because now she has been outed at her previous dream school meaning it wouldn’t be a fresh start either.

Final Verdict: Lucy, Uncensored is a heartfelt and compelling coming-of-age story that captures the challenges, triumphs, and self-discovery of a teenage Transgender girl who is navigating college decisions. Young adults ages 12 and up will enjoy reading about the friendship that Callie and Lucy have with one another. The book doesn’t shy away from addressing the real-life fears and obstacles faced by transgender individuals, especially regarding safety, acceptance, and the weight of disclosure. With a mix of humor, heart, and an honest portrayal of the struggles of being a Transgender individual, this book is a meaningful read for those who enjoy stories of friendship, resilience, and self-acceptance.