LILY AND DUNKIN

Gephart, D. (2016). Lily and Dunkin. New York, NY: Delacorte.

Norbert Dorfman  and his mom just moved to Florida from New Jersey with his grandmother because they are having hard times.  He also struggles with bi-polar disorder, refuses to see a psychiatrist, and sometimes forgets to take his medication on purpose.  He joins the basketball team even though he’s not good at it and to top it off knows those are the ones who bully Lily but his wanting to fit in keeps him from defending her.

Lili (Tim) Jo McGrother is a girl, living in a boy’s body.  She trying to find her true self, everyone supports her with the exception of some classmates at school, her grandmother and father.  At school she is being bullied, even though she hasn’t “come out” as a transgender.  Lily is afraid of the consequences.

Norbert meets Lily while she’s wearing a dress and then runs into Tim sitting on a tree, they are one in the same, and despite the many secrets between them, and their friendship begins. Norbert becomes Dunkin after going to Dunkin Donuts and mentioning to Lily that he doesn’t like his name either.

This is a great realistic fiction novel appropriate for middle school kids and up. The author writes this book in 1st person narrative and takes us into conversations of how mainly two teens deal with life. It’s hard for teens to find support when they are trying to find their way, I’m happy to see that Lily has the support of her mother and sister and eventually even her dad after learning some facts from the doctor about hormone therapy. These teens are no different than you and I, they worry about sports, fitting in, going to dances, protest to save trees, and go through different life issues.

As I read this incredible book, I picture Jazz Jennings, perhaps because I followed her story, regardless, it made me get chocked up and teary. I understand more of the challenges transgender and bipolar teens go through. More of us should support diverse books like Lily and Dunkin that promote literature reflecting the lives of many and give kids the courage to be themselves.
This book is on the list of required YA novels.

• Find out more about Donna Gephart, all her books, LGBTQ & mental health resources, plus how to get free reading activities for Lily and Dunkin.

• Defining: cisgender by Grace Manger

• What is Bipolar-Disorder?

• Discussion-guides free resources from Read Proud, Listen Proud. It includes resources for books such as Being JAZZ, Talking About LGBT People & Equality, Another Day, and others.

• Also by Donna Gephart,  How to Survive Middle School .