Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart
Lily and Dunkin tells a weaving story from two perspectives entering the alarming year of eighth grade. Lily (formerly known as Tim) goes on a journey to convince her parents and her peers of who she really is. She meets Dunkin on the street on her first day of "practice" of being herself- wearing girls clothing. Dunkin sees her after moving to Florida with his mom after a traumatizing experience. They seem to weave in and out of each others lives as Dunkin gets accepted by the basketball team, also known as Neanderthals because of how they torment Tim in school. Both find out that while on a journey to find themselves and live their own truths that self discovery can be very challenging at times.
Lily's journey sheds an incredible light on what transgendered individuals go through when born into the wrong body. It is tactfully done and helps the reader develop empathy for people like Lily despite if they know any transgender people or not. It is truly an important story to be told and Donna Gephart does a phenomenal job.
Dunkin's story helps break down stigmas people have about mental illness. Dunkin suffers from bipolar disorder just like his father. Despite being surrounded by his mom and his grandmother who care for him so much, he struggles to keep it under control. Mental illness is something that many people struggle with, but often don't get proper treatment or help because of the stigma that surrounds it. The feeling of "I can handle this myself" that Dunkin often feels when he is on a high with the basketball team is a feeling many people can relate to.
Other books that have similar themes and topics that I would suggest are: - Luna by Julie Anne Peters (coming of age and transgender experience)
- Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz (coming of age, identity and sexuality)
- Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman (coming of age and mental illness- specifically schizophrenia)
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