Lily and Dunkin

Narrator Michael Crouch portrays 13-year-old Tim, who tells his own story in the first person. When he's alone, he whirls happily in a flowered dress--"practicing to be me." Then his moods shift as he envies his sister, who CAN be herself; becomes angry at his anxious father, who worries he'll be found out; and feels warmly toward his mother, who is able to acknowledge him as "Lily." In alternate chapters, Ryan Gesell portrays Dunkin, who is new to the neighborhood. Dunkin feels uncomfortable with everything--with his friendlessness, his size, his diagnosis of bipolar disorder, his family's move to Florida, his kissing up to the "Neanderthal" basketball players, and his discounting of Tim. That's before he goes off his meds. As his emotions build, his words speed up. The dual narration helps the featured characters and their relationship sound more authentic and gives dimension to secondary characters. S.W. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine

March 7, 2016
With humor and great sensitivity, Gephart (Death by Toilet Paper) juxtaposes the efforts of two eighth-graders—one struggling with gender dysphoria, one with mental illness—to establish new identities for themselves. Determined, gentle, and self-aware Tim was “born with boy parts” but identifies as a girl, preferring the name Lily; already “out” to her family and best friend Dare, Lily is both excited and terrified about reactions to a more public transformation. Meanwhile, mercurial newcomer Norbert hates his name—but loves the nickname Lily gives him, Dunkin, which alludes to his favorite haunt—and keeps deep secrets, even from himself. Their friendship develops slowly as Dunkin, desperate for acceptance, gets swept up by an intolerant basketball-playing crowd. Gephart sympathetically contrasts the physical awkwardness, uncertainty, and longings of these two outsiders during a few tightly-plotted months, building to a crescendo of revelation. Strong, supportive women accept these teens as they are, while their fathers struggle mightily. Despite an overly tidy resolution to Dunkin’s story and Lily being a bit too perfect, it’s a valuable portrait of two teenagers whose journeys are just beginning. Ages 10–up. Agent: Tina Wexler, ICM.