School Library Journal Review
Gr 10 Up--A trans adult speaks to his teenage self in this heartfelt, fourth wall--breaking graphic memoir. The narrative is separated into two parts, covering Hancox's high school years and college years respectively, and he freely uses his deadname, Lois, as well as she/her pronouns to describe his younger self. In high school--as much fun as "soggy ham butties"--teenage Lewis just wants to fit in and be "normal." He also struggles with anorexia and an exercise disorder. Despite sharing with his mom at age eight that he's a boy, Lewis tries to "bottle up the boy inside" as an angsty teen. Lewis's college years bring more positive moments of self-discovery, and a new emo look, as he comes out as lesbian, then trans. With support of family and friends, Lewis ultimately seeks gender-affirming care--brilliantly depicted as a series of boss battles. As author and adult narrator, Hancox maintains a frank yet humorous tone without shying away from painful moments. The winning combination of British slang, pop culture references, and technology help establish the early 2000s setting. Much like "St. Hell"--"where all is grey"--the illustrations are fittingly black and white. Some images realistically depict aspects of puberty (e.g., menstruation, pubic hair, breasts) and transitioning (e.g., testosterone injections, binding, packers). There is also a short sex scene that includes unhooking a bra, lying in bed together, and implied masturbation under sheets. Back matter includes actual photographs of Hancox and crew. All characters appear white, except Hancox's friend Jess, who has darker skin. VERDICT Recommended for all teen (and college) collections--and, sadly, one likely to draw significant attention in today's culture wars.--Alec Chunn
Publisher's Weekly Review
A recollection of Hancox's adolescence narrated by his adult self, this graphic novel memoir is an intimate exploration of his misadventures as a white closeted trans man in early 2000s England. Hancox, who inserts himself as a character guiding readers through his past, introduces his 11-year-old self, who's "trying to be a normal girl." When presented with the option of pants or a skirt for his uniform upon beginning high school, past-Lewis chooses the skirt to circumvent potential bullying but, as fellow classmates and narrator Hancox insists, he "was a boy in a skirt." Though past-Lewis knows he's a boy, any attempt on the narrator's part to provide comfort or advice is rebuffed. Cartoonist Hancox's classic b&w comic strip style provides levity to the narrative's sometimes heavy material, such as teenage Lewis's nervous habit of pulling out his hair, his disordered eating, and his parents' divorce. Hancox's depiction of his parents' reactions to his transition is honest and empathic, highlighting the importance of familial support to his evolution toward adulthood. Earnest, sincere, and at times heart-wrenching, Hancox's account of a youth spent knowing who he was but unable to express it is affecting. Ages 14--up. (June) ■
Kirkus Review
A trans adult looks back at his early years. Cartoonist Hancox follows a recognizable trans memoir format in this brief graphic novel. From a childhood of hating dolls and dresses to a goth adolescence, the horrors of puberty, and coming out first as a lesbian and then as a trans man, the author often inserts his White, bearded, baseball-capped adult self into fraught scenes to assure his younger self that everything will turn out all right. The author grew up in the small British town of St. Helens, and the dialogue and narration are littered with regional slang, some of which sets the scene, adding cultural flavor, and some of which becomes repetitive and distracting. While there's no shortage of angst and self-loathing (including brief, matter-of-fact, but honest descriptions of his eating and exercise disorders), this is overall a positive account, as Hancox's family reacts supportively both times he comes out, and he's able to access medical transition at a relatively early age. He also maintains his old friendships. There's little mention of other trans people outside of a few YouTube videos. While the story is basic, the emotionally brutal yet stripped-down art helps create immediacy and intimacy. Hancox describes the process of writing this book as therapeutic, and readers might find it so as well. An honest and personal journey through a trans youth. (Graphic memoir. 13-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
