Jamie

Jamie is eleven years old. They identify as non-binary which means neither as a boy or as a girl. This should not be a problem except that in their town, there are only two high schools, Queen Elizabeth’s School for Girls and St. Joseph’s School for Boys. Where does Jamie fit?

This is Jamie’s entire preoccupation throughout the novel. All children of this age have asked, at some point, where do I belong? But for Jamie and their family and friends, the question is intense and deeply divisive at times. Should society change for Jamie or should they be forced to change for it?

This is a groundbreaking and deeply powerful, own voices novel. L.D. Lapinski carefully and age appropriately explains some of the issues around gender. What are hormones? What are pronouns? What does being non-binary really mean?

The author accomplishes this educational task without interrupting or overloading the narrative, a feat of considerable skill. In the end, the reader feels deeply invested in Jamie and the choices they make. Interestingly, Lapinski also talks about the consequences of Jamie’s choices for their friends.

This is not a crusading novel. Every single high school and as many Year Six classes as possible should obtain a copy of this book.