Gracefully Grayson

This was an amazing book, a rare gem that stands out not just because of the topic but also because of the way it puts you inside the mind of an amazing character. Grayson is a complex character written beautifully by the author. As the story unfolds the reader becomes Grayson. We understand what it's like to feel confused, excited, scared, detached and ultimately triumphant. This book should be read and discussed in every school. Their are Grayson's in every school, just as their are parents and guardians like Grayson's Aunt and Uncle, and, thankfully, teachers like Mr. Finn. Everyone should be free to be who they truly are. In the end Grayson emerges much like the painting from his mom, a phoenix emerging free to be her authentic self.

I discovered your book thanks to Brian Katcher's review which was enough to peek my curiosity. Also, the fact that I am a transgender woman was enough to move your book to the top of my reading list. I will admit that I do hold very high standards when it comes to transgender characters. I always have an initial pang of fear when someone who is not transgender makes the attempt to bring to life a character such as Grayson. In the case of Ami Polonsky, she was successful. I believed and cared about Grayson and her struggle to figure out who she was. She was not just a boy named Grayson and the movement towards the play with the revelation on the side for the character fleshed out the struggle and made it believable. The only complaint I have about the novel is that I didn't want it to stop. I wanted to she her fully emerge from Hades as Persephone. Despite that, the book was a good read and I recommend it.

Interesting side of life I’ve not been exposed to. I know how hard it was to come out as gay. Must be so much harder if one is Transgender especially in current climate. Most people have trouble accepting certain parts of their lives.

I read this book because it was assigned to a student I am tutoring. I wasn't sure I would be engaged in the subject matter when I read a synopsis. But it is one of the most sensitively and beautifully written children's lit books I have ever read. I have a master's degree in teaching reading and have read a good many children's/adolescents' books. I find many of the classics to be depressing, but this book left me feeling hopeful and full of admiration for the characters who displayed empathy and integrity. The author is a gifted writer to be able to write such a fine first book, and I hope she will write many more.

Great book club book choice! Even as a 30-something adult I enjoyed this book. It brought back memories of middle school age and some of the drama that came along with it. I LOVED Finn's character and really was able to feel sympathy for Grayson, while also cheering him along as he grew confidence in himself and his desires to be a female. I loved all the references to birds in this book, and how they symbolized spreading his wings and growing as a brave individual. This is a quick, easy to read book that I'd recommend to anyone. It was a hit among my book club friend group.

This is a great book with a wonderfully grand message behind it. But I wish a better writer could have picked it up instead, the words didn't fit in some places for a story about a 6th grader but besides this it's a good book.

I loved it, it was so well written. And I admire an author that can write about something that is not usually a topic. My one comment was the ending. It just ended in a place that felt so random, a place where I was thinking “there has to be more”. I think that Grayson should have declared that he wanted to be a girl, instead of just ending where he know he was a girl. But other than that amazing book, I would recommend it.as a middle school and upper must read.

This story was truly amazing. Written in a way that helps you sympathize with Grayson. She is a truly amazing character. And getting to see her coming to terms with who she was was truly amazing. A great book for young readers to introduce them to a character who seems more like someone you know instead of some unimaginable stranger.

Love, love, love this book. It is beautifully written with a heart-breaking yet tremendously uplifting story line.

awesome! So inspiring. the style of the author is really nice. I recommend it a lot. it was very interesting

Very good explanation of gender identity and the conflict society has accepting a girl born into a boy's body. Grayson should be thankful she was born in this time and not decades earlier. Society needs to find grace to accept these persons for who they are.

Very nice book. I needed a book for school so I bought this. Only thing is if you are a closeted trans person you may not want to show your parents the book as you can tell it is about being trans from just reading the back. You may get questioned why you bought the book.

Fascinating and compelling read. I bought this book for my daughter, but read it first.