The Art of Being Normal

"The Art of Being Normal is a deeply powerful, important story that also happens to be a blast to read. You'll fall in love . . . right away, your heart will bleed at some moments and melt at others, and you'll root for them until the bitter end." --Bill Konigsberg, Stonewall Award-winning author of Openly Straight and The Porcupine of Truth "The book alternates between [both characters'] viewpoints, but readers don't find out what they have in common until Leo's burgeoning romance gets derailed. . . . Debut author Williamson does a good job of depicting British class realities and [the characters'] struggles with family, bullying, friendship, and bravery. While the book doesn't sugarcoat the difficulty of being a trans teen, it offers hope and the sense that even if you can't get everything you want, you can get what you need." --Publishers Weekly "Two British transgender teens try to come to terms with their lives while facing serious bullying in their school. . . . Williamson has worked with teens grappling with their gender identities, and she folds practical information, about hormonal therapy to freeze puberty, for instance, as well as empathy into her story. A welcome, needed novel." --Kirkus Reviews "An important addition to collections for its first-person perspectives on the experiences and inner lives of transgender teens." --School Library Journal "Williamson presents a fresh perspective in contemporary LGBTQ drama by presenting two heroes in different stages of transitioning and further bringing the teens to life through their foibles and family dramas. . . . The best part is that it is a friendship tale; romance plays a role in the story, but it is not the focus. This is a wonderful addition to any teen collection." --VOYA, starred review Praise for the British edition of The Art of Being Normal "A passionate and gripping tale. Five stars." --The Telegraph "The Art of Being Normal deserves to attract attention not only for its sensitive portrayal of life as a transgender teenager but for the author's aptitude for crafting vivid, engaging and convincing characters who keep you rooting for them through the many testing obstacles she puts in their way." --The Guardian