Luna

Bibliography:Peters, J.A. (2004) Luna. New York, NY: Little, Brown.

Genre: LGBT

Reading Level/Interest Age:13-16 yrs

Reader's Annotation: Regan's brother Liam has a secret dual-identity and only Regan knows how it will soon affect everything.

Author:Julie Anne Peters is the author of more than fifteen books for young adults. Several of her novels focus on LGBT characters. Luna was chosen as a Finalist for the National Book Award

Plot Summary:Regan's older brother Liam is different. He is a transsexual, and Regan is the only one to know. Liam wants Regan to help him make public his identity as Luna. The novel follows Regan as she confronts the difficulties that Liam faces, including their parents, her friends at school, and even her own insecurities. Meanwhile, Regan meets a boy at school, Chris, who seems to like her. They hang out together, but Regan is afraid to tell him the truth about Liam. She is frustrated with Liam because he has put her in the middle of everything.

Critical Evaluation:One weakness in the plot of Luna is the reliance upon flashbacks. I understand that they give important glimpses into the childhoods of Regan and Liam, but they appeared too frequently for my tastes. These flashbacks are italicized in the text to distinguish them from the main narrative. Regan does sometimes think about those memories in the main narrative, so it is necessary that the reader be familiar with them. I do not like their obtrusiveness; they broke up the flow of the narrative.

One strength of this novel is the relationship between Regan and Liam/Luna. The tension between them was well developed and well executed. It was clear that they both cared for each other, and their day-to-day interactions were believable. Even though there are problems in the family (especially between Liam/Luna and his father), the siblings stand up for each other. They help one another out. Peters shows us how with small details. Liam drives Regan to school in the morning; Regan purchases women’s underwear for him. There is a bond between the two of them that cannot be shaken. I like how Peters shows us this relationship in a fresh, unique way.

Curriculum Ties:Unit about gender identity, gay rights, or even discrimination (civil rights era)

Book Talk Ideas:First person summary of the novel, or part of the novel. Ex: My name is Regan and my brother borrows my lipstick all the time.

Challenge Issues:Transgender teenager, sexual identity

Why was this text included in this project?This novel was required reading for this course.