In this YA standalone perfect for fans of Tobly McSmith and Meredith Russo, the first out trans girl at an all-girls school must choose between keeping her head down or blazing a trail. Tara just wants to be treated like any other girl at Ainsley Academy. That is, judged on her merits—not on her transness. But there’s no road map for being the first trans girl at an all-girls school. And when she tries to join the Sibyls, an old-fashioned Ainsley sisterhood complete with code names and special privileges, she’s thrust into the center of a larger argument about what girlhood means and whether the club should exist at all. Being the figurehead of a movement isn’t something Tara’s interested in. She’d rather read old speeches and hang out with the Sibyls who are on her side—especially Felicity, a new friend she thinks could turn into something more. Then the club’s sponsor, a famous alumna, attacks her in the media and turns the selection process into a spectacle. Tara’s always found comfort in the power of other peoples’ words. But when it comes time to fight for herself, will she be able to find her own voice?
A point of view I hadn't considered, and a very interesting read. As always it's hard to believe there are people living this way...that the government can decide they're criminals just for being who they are feels outrageous, but I know it has happened to plenty of different groups over the years.
I found the Sibyls confusing...because Tara already knows all about them, we're not given much explanation, and everyone has a Sibyl name and a real name used at different times, so it took me a while to figure out who was who. All in all the book wasn't explained very clearly, but we didn't really need it to be, we understood the basics and the point was the people, anyway.
We're pretty deep in Tara's head for most of this, and I found it really thought provoking to see how she perceives and experiences things. Definitely one for teens to read and enjoy.
Just Happy to be Here is available now. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.
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