Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart

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

Lily, born Timothy, is trying to figure out his way in middle school as he transitions into a girl. He meets a boy named Norbert, now Dunkin. Dunkin and Lily start to build a friendship until Dunkin blindsides Lily and sits with the school bullies. Lily hates them because they call him “fag” and pull his hair. Lily struggles with his changing body. Once his dad accepts his son, the family agrees to buy him hormone blockers. Lily and Dunkin mend their relationship in a tree called, Bob. Lily tells Dunkin he’s transgender and Dunkin reveals he doesn’t have a dad and he has bi-polar disorder. When Dunkin makes the basketball team, he stops taking his meds. Dunkin has a meltdown and is taken to a mental hospital. Lily starts to be comfortable in who she is. Lily goes to the dance dressed like a girl and is happy to see Dunkin there. To solidify their friendship they dance together. This book helps brings the crucial awareness of what being transgender is and towards mental illness. These are two controversial contemporary topics thrown in the media daily. The author respectfully blends these two misunderstood “labels” in a book that will pull on the heart strings of all readers. Young adults can relate to this book even if they aren’t transitioning or have a mental illness because at one point in their life everyone understands what it’s like to be bullied and can relate to Lily and Dunkin. This book was tastefully written to make readers mindful of the way they treat people and have empathy for all people who are making tough decision and are in difficult situations. The tree that Lily and Dunkin sit in is a symbol of hope and trust. I would recommend Becoming Nicole by Amy Ellis Nutt as it deal with similar topics.