ReadOut Shorts

by Olivia Flores Alvarez

• She's Not There: A Life in Two Genders

Jennifer Finney Boylan

Broadway Books

It's an unconventional story, but then again, Jennifer Finney Boylan has had an unconventional life. Born James Boylan, he spent his childhood playing “Girl Planet,” a magical place where everyone automatically turned into a girl. Growing up he tried to act normal. He dated women. True, he spent much of his time imagining what he looked like in his girlfriends’ clothes, but he tried. In an effort to “straighten out,” he got married and as a wedding present to himself threw out all his women's clothing. He built a normal life. He had a loving wife, two lively sons. He was a respected, popular university professor. His attempt at convention worked, but it didn't work for long. Soon those old feelings surfaced again and Boylan started inching toward a grown-up version of “Girl Planet” and sexual reassignment.

A tender look at a woman who dares to be herself, She's Not There is both poignant and bittersweet. Although Boylan has amazing success in transforming herself, it comes at a price. Each triumph moves Boylan closer to being Jennifer but further away from James—and from those who loved him.

James’s sons, students, and coworkers seem to take the change in stride, but James’s wife Grace isn't as nonchalant. Jennifer's transformation is also a transformation of the marriage as well. Both partners will now be women. Is Jennifer's reassignment surgery also a divorce? Or just a change to hers and hers towels? This wasn't covered in the wedding vows.

Ultimately, She's Not There is a story of the love between Jennifer and Grace. Although no longer sexual, the relationship between the two is intact if a bit influx.

At each point before his sex change, James Boylan would ask himself, “Why am I doing this?” and always he'd answer, “Because I can't not.” Thankfully, with Grace's love and her own courage, Jennifer Finney Boylan no longer has to question her life.

• Keeping You a Secret

Julie Anne Peters

Little, Brown and Company

Megan Tingly Books

High school senior Holland Jaeger is in a slump. There are endless rounds of boring classes, a mounting pile of college rejection letters, and a boyfriend who has gotten “good at fast and soundless sex.” Her mother and school counselor are busy planning Holland's life without bothering to ask her what she wants, and her Goth-freak stepsister is slowly encroaching on Holland's half of their dingy basement bedroom. Things look bleak.

Then an out-and-proud lesbian student named Cece shows up at school, and suddenly senior year isn't boring anymore. Holland is fascinated by the confident, self-assured Cece, even if most of her friends are put off by having a “lesbian fanatic” in their midst.

As Holland discovers her growing feelings of attraction for her new friend, she also discovers just how homophobic her friends and family really are. The two girls start dating and Holland is blissfully happy, but when Holland takes a few timid steps out of the closet, Cece pushes her back in. It's too dangerous, she tells Holland. And when someone paints “Die Dyke” on Cece’s locker, Holland starts to believe her.

Author Julie Anne Peters has written a tender, touching portrayal of a young woman's awakening sexuality and the sometimes-devastating consequences of living an openly gay life. Peters’ previous release Define Normal won the ALA Best Book for Young Adults, and in Keeping You a Secret she again gives readers a moving and realistic story.

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