I absolutely loved this graphic novel! If I had read this story as a teenager, I don't know if I would have understood that nothing was wrong with Sebastian for wanting to wear dresses. I wouldn't have had the language to understand that he is genderqueer. In my religious brainwashing, I might not have understood that nothing was wrong with him for wearing dresses and that a dress is just a dress. I would like to think this book would have opened my mind up a bit, but honestly, no. I would have read the description and immediately dropped it. My teenage self would have missed out.

Now that I'm 28 and a teacher and have gone on my own journey of identity apart from how I was raised, I get this book. I love it. It's absolutely beautiful in both story and art. Sebastian is wonderful. He cares so much about his parents and his kingdom and for his friend Frances. He just wants to do what is right. But he also longs to wear dresses and make up. He draws strength from becoming Lady Crystallia. Lady Crystallia is outgoing and confident. She holds herself with dignity and bearing. She can win fashion shows and Sebastian believes she could lead an army if she wanted to. Frances shines in this book as well. She isn't afraid to stand up for what she believes in and she isn't afraid to go after her own dreams, even when it isn't easy.

I'm putting a copy of this book in my classroom. Right now, I think I only have a couple of already affirming girls who will pick it up and a couple of (very quiet about it) genderqueer students. I don't think it will appeal to my boys or to 98% of my students. I don't care. This book will be powerful to the 2% who will read it. It will be affirming and perhaps transformative for those that are on similar journies or want to understand what their friends are going through. If one student reads this book and feels better about themselves for it, then it's very well worth the money spent.

Thank you, Jen Wang, for writing and illustrating this book. It is powerful. It is needed. It is perfect.