This is an important book. The author does say in her author's note that Amanda's experience is fictionalized and somewhat simplified, to help the largest amount of people possible understand Amanda's experience. She does "pass" as cisgender with little to no effort. She looks and sounds feminine. She acts very feminine. This may help some people who have never been introduced to a transgender or transsexual character or person to understand a little about what those concepts mean. This may make it easier for some to understand. Amanda's identity would no less valid if she figured out her identity later in life after fully developing a male body with a deep voice. Her identity would be no less valid if she never "passed" for cisgender, if she never had any hormones or body modifications, or if she were homosexual (dated other girls). Amanda's story isn't gospel.

No one book can encapsulate the experience of all transpeople.

But this book can and does validate the experience of young adults who identify as trans. It creates allies and builds empathy in cisgender readers.

This is a story of friendship, courage, bravery, facing our fears, and of trust. It does not bash religion in any way (Amanda is a Baptist Christian, herself, according to the author). I've seen some ugly remarks about this book in my town recently because the author is coming to our local library to speak. No one should feel threatened by this book. It only uplifts people.

It's a must read for all junior and high school teachers. It's a must read for young adults, especially those in the South, like Amanda.