If I Was Your Girl
Summary:
Meredith has moved schools after a traumatic incident and is desperate to fit in but also wants to keep to herself and just get through this year in high school. Meredith’s secret – that she used to be Andrew – prevents her from getting on with her life as she would like. Her decision to not attract attention is complicated when she starts developing feelings for Grant.
Edited by: Dublin City University
Comment:
Written by transgender author Russo, this novel explores the complexities of transgender experience with compassion, empathy, and nuance, though the author is keen that the novel is not taken as ‘gospel’ because of her own identity, as outlined in the note at the end of the text. Though a traumatic experience forms the backdrop to this story, the novel explores many of the life events and experiences that are key in the lives of young people, and in literature for young people, including first love, friendships, and other relationships. The most important people in Amanda’s life are ultimately supportive of her identity, though they respond sometimes in ways that are flawed and hurtful to Amanda. Art and science fiction are explored throughout as ways of understanding oneself, exploring identities, for cisgender characters, as well as for transgender characters. Through fiction, the novel provides information about the process of transitioning from male to female gender, and language use. Amanda’s coming out to Bea demonstrates a model of understanding for trans allies.