Author: Liz Prince
Year Published: 2015
Genre: YA non-fiction, graphic novel
Pages: 255
Rating: 4 out of 5
Location (my 2015 Google Reading map): USA (NM)
FTC Disclosure: I borrowed this from my school library
Summary (from the inside flap of the book): Growing up, Liz Prince wasn't a girly girl, dressing in pink tutus or playing pretty princess like the other girls in her neighborhood. And she wasn't one of the guys, either. She was somewhere in between. But with the forces of middle school, high school, parents, friendship, and romance pulling her this way and that, "the middle" wasn't exactly an easy place ot be. Tomboy follows award-winning author and artist Liz Prince through her early years and explores--with humor, honesty, and poignancy-what it means to "be a girl."
Review: The Librarian at my school recommended this one to me and I'm glad she did. Since it's a graphic novel, it's a quick read and I think it will really appeal to a certain kind of secondary student, both boys and girls.FTC Disclosure: I borrowed this from my school library
Summary (from the inside flap of the book): Growing up, Liz Prince wasn't a girly girl, dressing in pink tutus or playing pretty princess like the other girls in her neighborhood. And she wasn't one of the guys, either. She was somewhere in between. But with the forces of middle school, high school, parents, friendship, and romance pulling her this way and that, "the middle" wasn't exactly an easy place ot be. Tomboy follows award-winning author and artist Liz Prince through her early years and explores--with humor, honesty, and poignancy-what it means to "be a girl."
Everyone has times when they feel different and this book shows that in full force. The great thing is, that through all of the bullying, taunting, and teasing, Liz Prince held it together and didn't change who she is for other people and that's such an important message. For everyone, but especially for teens.
Liz was and is a tomboy. She dresses like a boy, played "boy" games growing up, etc and for that she suffered at the hands of her peers. Just to confuse people even more (as if it's any of their business) Liz is interested in boys romantically so when kids called her a lesbian, it just didn't make sense to her. What's interesting about the bullying and taunting is that the words the bullies choose. Lesbian is not an insult. Tomboy is not an insult. Calling a girl a boy is not an insult. But the intent behind the words speaks volumes. When I was in seventh grade I had short hair and was often mistaken for a boy. My fourteen-year-old daughter has had short hair for two years and is often called "buddy" or "young man." Our identity is so vitally important to us that when someone gets it wrong, for whatever reason, it hurts.
This graphic novel does a great job of showing how hurtful people can be, whether they do it on purpose or not. It also shows how to handle the situation and stay true to yourself. And that's great.
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