Gephart, D. (2016). Lily and Dunkin. New York: Delacorte Press.
Timothy “Lily” McGrother, an eighth-grade boy, believes he should have been a girl. Although his mom and sister support him, being a transgender is not easy, especially when his father is worried about him being bullied and beat up. Dunkin, Norbert Dorfman, a new kid in town suffers from bipolar disorder. By luck, Lily and Dunkin meet before school starts. After school starts, they forge a friendship as they each embark on a difficult journey of acceptance. After Dunkin makes the basketball team, their friendship starts to suffer. One night of compassion brings their friendship back together and allows them to truly acknowledge who they are.
This emotional story pulls you in as you see life through the eyes of these two characters, as they face their own struggles. Even for a reader with minimal to no experience with these themes (bullying, depression, and homophobia) can’t help but feel the pain as they try to find themselves. These topics can be confusing for a young reader, especially if they are experiencing them in real life. Despite the negative themes, Gephart also showed self-acceptance and friendship through these characters.
YA literature focuses on relevant issues and helps the readers experience both real and difficult scenarios through the safety of a character’s eyes. Some of the ideas presented in this category might not be something a reader would otherwise encounter. This helps to build empathy, which is a big part of development. Although these topics might be uncomfortable for some, this book would be appropriate for middle school students.
**Required YA author
Donna Gephart discusses Lily and Dunkin
Lily and Dunkin Educator Guide
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