Parrotfish

Reader: Sohie D
Age: 15
Title: Parrotfish
Author: Ellen Wittlinger
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Pub Date:
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: Yes
Annotation: Grady has shed the name of Angela and become who he is truly meant to be: a boy, not a girl. But his family can't seem to accept the change, and school is becoming torture. Why is it that just one little change can affect everyone's opinion of Grady?
Recommend: Yes
Convince us to read the book: This is literally one of the most eye opening books I have ever read. I've thought about gender roles in society before, but never in this particular way or with this much depth. The changes and challenges that Grady goes through are probably experienced by everyone, just some more than others. It's incredible how much his life changes in just a few days, and this seems to be a very accurate account of what transgendered people go through.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: Grady's voice and clear perspective is wonderful. He is consumed in his own problems, yet still is able to sort out family problems and feel guilty about a friend that has completely abandoned him. I also love that the reader is introduced as a boy, yet we still see him as a girl from the eyes if his family who don't want to accept the change. That way, Grady seems very much like a boy for most of the book, yet a lot like a girl at other points.
Did you finish: Yes
Were you disappointed with the book at all: I think the characters were slightly flat, and the high school was a little too happy, but that didn't take anything away from the main idea, so it's ok.
Cover: The thing I love about this cover is the changing colors. It ties the whole image of the cover together, from the front to the spine to the back. I'm also that it isn't glaringly obvious with blue and pink, but still illustrates the main point of the novel.
Age Range: 12-17
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal