If you’re looking for a book that ignites emotion in you, this one opens in pretty much the perfect spot to do so, it had me immediately caring about Lily, and thinking about real world transgender kids, especially the ones who don’t have the best friend, the mom, and the sister that Lily has in her corner (I loved her grandpop, too, even if technically he’s not in the story).

Due to caring for Lily, it did take more time for me to warm up to Dunkin as some of his choices inadvertently hurt Lily, though in all fairness to Dunkin, there probably are few of us who could claim we always had the courage to have someone else’s back or to resist the lure of popularity (and when you see how the school bullies are with Lily, it’s easy enough to believe that a kid might get it into his head to join the popular basketball team rather than risk becoming a target). I did end up really, really liking Dunkin the deeper I got into knowing him and all he’s going through.

This book can be pretty hard on the heart, the bullying, Lily’s journey with her dad, Dunkin’s spiraling mental health and the big truth he’s yet to face, even the fate of a tree weighs heavy, all of those things got me emotionally, but if you’re up to absorbing the more difficult blows this story delivers, I promise it does reward you with moments here and there where things feel much better. ( )

I found this book to be interesting but very stressful. The dual storylines of a kid who chooses to join the cool bullies was hard for me, since I can't help but read it as an adult and want to yell "stop, those kids are no good!" I took away a star for the entirely gratuitous and pointless discussion of an eigth grade girl losing weight over the summer, eww. ( )

Sweet story of two middle graders facing big life challenges. ( )

Middle school is hard enough, even if you haven't moved from New Jersey to Florida in the wake of family tragedy and are struggling with bipolar disorder and are saddled with a name you hate (Dunkin), and even if you aren't a girl who struggles to be seen for her true self by her dad and the rest of the world (Lily). The title might make one think that Lily and Dunkin become friends right away, but after a couple of friendly late-summer encounters, they go separate ways at school: Dunkin, because of his height, gets absorbed onto the basketball team with the "Neanderthals," while Lily hangs out with her lifelong best friend Dare.

When a beloved tree is endangered, Lily takes a stand - and decides to brave the school dance, as well. And when Dunkin stops taking his meds and has a breakdown on the basketball court, he braves his own past in order to move on.

Lily's mom, older sister Sarah, and (eventually) doctor are wonderfully supportive, and Lily's dad comes around after a brutally honest conversation with the doctor. Back matter includes resources for trans youth and mental health.

See also: Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky, Different Kinds of Fruit by Kyle Lukoff, Starfish by Lisa Fipps

Quotes

When it comes to Dad...the more I try to be who I really am, the more he pushes me away. (Lily, 21)

"When you're brave and honest, you make it easier for the next person." (Dare to Lily, 78)

"If you can't be comfortable with who you really are, then how to you expect anyone else to be?" (Dare to Lily, 79)

"Don't do what you think will make them happy. Do what will make you happy." (Dare to Lily, 137)

It's tough to lose something you love and know there's nothing you can do about it. (Dunkin, 283) ( )

RGG: Good read, but it's a lot. Two youths, one coming out as transgender and one coping with manic depression and a parent who has committed suicide, have a rocky journey to friendship. There is also two lesbian friends and an effort to save a tree. All written for a middle grade audience.