Luna
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Age Range
12+
ISBN
0316733695
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Editor reviews
2 reviews
An incredibly powerful book
Overall rating
5.0
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Luna, by Julie Anne Peters, is a really, really emotional book that brought me to tears more than once. The story is told in the voice of Regan sister to Liam, who is transgendered (a girl born into a boys body). Liams nighttime life as Luna in his basement bedroom is safe with her, but the strain of keeping his secret is slowly tearing her life to pieces.
She loves her brother/sister and he loves her, but he cant stand the person/role he has to play during the day: dutiful son, all-American boy. He wakes Regan up at night to show her the person he truly is, as he takes off the boy layers and dresses himself in girls clothes, wigs, and makeup. No one but Regan knows about Liams true self, not even Aly, his best friend.
Meanwhile, Regan has her own issues at school. Theres a new boy that seems to have taken an interest in her; an interest she cant quite fathom. Shes always been the hidden one, the one that trys hard to stay away from prying eyes.
And their parents dont help matters their mother is always working and their father is firmly entrenched in traditional gender roles (Regan should be the one to help with dinner, not Liam, even though Liam is the one that likes to cook).
Regan is terrified but trying to be supportive as Liam begins to come more out of his shell. His ultimate goal is to transform himself completely and go through gender reassignment surgery. But the first step is to go out in public as his true self: Luna.
Both Regan and Liam both are very sympathetic, well-rounded characters. They are teens struggling with everyday teen issues and one extraordinary transformation. As both Regan and Liam begin to escape their cocoons, life for everyone involved changes.
This is an honest and tender exploration of the journey of two teens into uncharted territory. Its a very powerful book that can be enjoyed by anyone, whether they know someone transgendered or not. Recommended for ages 12 and up.
For information on how the book came to be, read this excellent interview with the author on Cynthia Leitich Smiths site. And this interview on YABC.
She loves her brother/sister and he loves her, but he cant stand the person/role he has to play during the day: dutiful son, all-American boy. He wakes Regan up at night to show her the person he truly is, as he takes off the boy layers and dresses himself in girls clothes, wigs, and makeup. No one but Regan knows about Liams true self, not even Aly, his best friend.
Meanwhile, Regan has her own issues at school. Theres a new boy that seems to have taken an interest in her; an interest she cant quite fathom. Shes always been the hidden one, the one that trys hard to stay away from prying eyes.
And their parents dont help matters their mother is always working and their father is firmly entrenched in traditional gender roles (Regan should be the one to help with dinner, not Liam, even though Liam is the one that likes to cook).
Regan is terrified but trying to be supportive as Liam begins to come more out of his shell. His ultimate goal is to transform himself completely and go through gender reassignment surgery. But the first step is to go out in public as his true self: Luna.
Both Regan and Liam both are very sympathetic, well-rounded characters. They are teens struggling with everyday teen issues and one extraordinary transformation. As both Regan and Liam begin to escape their cocoons, life for everyone involved changes.
This is an honest and tender exploration of the journey of two teens into uncharted territory. Its a very powerful book that can be enjoyed by anyone, whether they know someone transgendered or not. Recommended for ages 12 and up.
For information on how the book came to be, read this excellent interview with the author on Cynthia Leitich Smiths site. And this interview on YABC.
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4 reviews
Overall rating
4.8
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Beautifully written
Overall rating
5.0
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Reader reviewed by Matilda
Peter's use of descriptive words is what makes this book so special. She makes you feel what the characters are feeling and you really get to know them as actual people. I would recommend this book to any mature reader who enjoys a good drama with a hint of comedy. I loved how you could relate to some of the things Regan was going through such as boy troubles and embarrassing parents.
Peter's use of descriptive words is what makes this book so special. She makes you feel what the characters are feeling and you really get to know them as actual people. I would recommend this book to any mature reader who enjoys a good drama with a hint of comedy. I loved how you could relate to some of the things Regan was going through such as boy troubles and embarrassing parents.
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
The Girl WHo Only Comes Out At Night...
Overall rating
5.0
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Reader reviewed by MRose52
This is the story of a papular and intelligent young woman. This is the story of a teen who is forced to live a life that is not her own. This is her story, told through the eyes of her sister. This is the story of a woman trapped in the body of a man.
Lia Marie has always know she was different. In fact it didn't take her long to figure out that she was not who everyone expected her to be. She also knew that no one could find out who she was.
This is a story of growing older and grawing up, of life, of choices, and of friendship. This story has a point of view that is not often told. I assure you that once you read this book, no matter how liberal or conservative you are, you wil have a whole new perspective on the life of a transgender teen.
This is the story of a papular and intelligent young woman. This is the story of a teen who is forced to live a life that is not her own. This is her story, told through the eyes of her sister. This is the story of a woman trapped in the body of a man.
Lia Marie has always know she was different. In fact it didn't take her long to figure out that she was not who everyone expected her to be. She also knew that no one could find out who she was.
This is a story of growing older and grawing up, of life, of choices, and of friendship. This story has a point of view that is not often told. I assure you that once you read this book, no matter how liberal or conservative you are, you wil have a whole new perspective on the life of a transgender teen.
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
Luna
Overall rating
5.0
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Reader reviewed by dykehalo
Spectacular, amazing, eye-opening, new, and addictive are just a few words that come to mind when I think about Julie Anne Peter's book Luna.
Luna opened my eyes to the transgendered world to me. I knew it was out there, I accepted it and tried to understand but until this book I really just didn't understand. I also had never thought about the effect of someone being transgendered or gay or lesbian on the rest of their family.
It's told from Luna's sister's point of view. She helps Luna- her brother hide from her secret from their parents and allows her to be herself and although at times she gets frusterated she accepts Luna. It follows Luna's process of coming out and being herself and her sister's process of acceptance.
Spectacular, amazing, eye-opening, new, and addictive are just a few words that come to mind when I think about Julie Anne Peter's book Luna.
Luna opened my eyes to the transgendered world to me. I knew it was out there, I accepted it and tried to understand but until this book I really just didn't understand. I also had never thought about the effect of someone being transgendered or gay or lesbian on the rest of their family.
It's told from Luna's sister's point of view. She helps Luna- her brother hide from her secret from their parents and allows her to be herself and although at times she gets frusterated she accepts Luna. It follows Luna's process of coming out and being herself and her sister's process of acceptance.
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
A Great but Serious Read
Overall rating
4.0
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Reader reviewed by Ria
In Luna, we are introduced to Regan and her brother, Liam. But there is something different about Liam, he's not like other boys his age. Inside his heart, Liam is truely a girl. Liam has harbored those feelings since he was really young. But he only shows his true identity, one where he dresses in girls clothes, wig and makeup, at night, to Regan. Regan is the only person who knows Liam's secret.
Slowly Luna, aka Liam, realizes that she needs to transition in order to have the will to live. She starts by dressing up and going to a local mall, where she gets a horrid reaction. That puts her down and she has to gather enough courage to repeat that. She also has to break the news to her best friend, Ali, who is in love with Liam. Luna realizes that she also has to break the news to her parents, which takes more strength than she has.
The story is told through Regan's eyes. We see the trauma carrying Liam/Luna's secret has caused her. We see the frustration that results when other people are involved. The story also included Regan's life, especially her love life which is finally beginning to blossom. But, through everything, she learns to stick by her brother no matter what and that she will always love him, even when he's gone.
I thought that Luna was very well written. It should be read by mature readers only because it contains very serious issues that isn't funny. It was a heartwarming story that really got me thinking. I thought that the ending was really sad. This is definately a book to pick up and try to read. It took me a while to get into the story, but once I did, I couldn't stop reading it. I would definately recommend this story to anyone.
In Luna, we are introduced to Regan and her brother, Liam. But there is something different about Liam, he's not like other boys his age. Inside his heart, Liam is truely a girl. Liam has harbored those feelings since he was really young. But he only shows his true identity, one where he dresses in girls clothes, wig and makeup, at night, to Regan. Regan is the only person who knows Liam's secret.
Slowly Luna, aka Liam, realizes that she needs to transition in order to have the will to live. She starts by dressing up and going to a local mall, where she gets a horrid reaction. That puts her down and she has to gather enough courage to repeat that. She also has to break the news to her best friend, Ali, who is in love with Liam. Luna realizes that she also has to break the news to her parents, which takes more strength than she has.
The story is told through Regan's eyes. We see the trauma carrying Liam/Luna's secret has caused her. We see the frustration that results when other people are involved. The story also included Regan's life, especially her love life which is finally beginning to blossom. But, through everything, she learns to stick by her brother no matter what and that she will always love him, even when he's gone.
I thought that Luna was very well written. It should be read by mature readers only because it contains very serious issues that isn't funny. It was a heartwarming story that really got me thinking. I thought that the ending was really sad. This is definately a book to pick up and try to read. It took me a while to get into the story, but once I did, I couldn't stop reading it. I would definately recommend this story to anyone.
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
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