Almost Perfect by Brian Katcher

Sunday, March 14, 2010


Almost PerfectFrom Booklist
Transsexuality is the issue in this candid novel told from the viewpoint of Logan, a high-school senior in a small Missouri town. The story quickly moves from Logan’s attraction to Sage, a cute, strange new girl at school, to his shock at the discovery that Sage was born male and is in transition to become a female. More than anything, Logan worries that once Sage’s identity is revealed, people will think that he is gay for being attracted to a boy. Then Sage attempts suicide, and Logan feels guilty about failing her. Unlike Sage’s brutal father, though, Logan never denies that Sage is a “she.” The story is long and repetitive, and the messages are overt, but many teens—both those familiar with transgender issues and those who are not—will welcome the honest take on a rarely explored subject. The biological facts about hormones and Sage’s changing body are woven in, and Katcher clearly dramatizes the characters’ secrets, lies, shame, and denial, as well as the cruel prejudice they experience with family and friends. Grades 9-12. --Hazel Rochman


My Thoughts:
The MC Logan jumps off the page with his 1st person POV, and I immediately found myself rooting for him to find happiness. This was a very true take on an unconventional teen romance. If you are looking to read something that is very different, with great dialog and beautiful writing, this ones for you.

1 comments:

Luxembourg said...

Heartsick over being dumped by his girlfriend, Logan’s interest in girls reawakens when Sage moves to town. Sage walks a tightrope between a lust for life and a deep fear that her secret will be exposed. A growing attraction between the two explodes after a single kiss. Not every teen will experience Logan’s confusing romantic situation but readers will admire the strength of Logan’s character. He witnesses the psychological cruelty Sage experiences with her father, and the physical abuse she endures when she tests telling her truth "up front." I applauded the courage of this couple who try to make their relationship work. Brian Katcher captures the joy and pain of 2 teens dating, one straight, one transgendered with a touch of humor and true compassion.

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