Review Detail

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.