JUST HAPPY TO BE HERE

A trans teen girl in Virginia faces discrimination.

Tara Rituveni, an Indian American student at St. George’s Preparatory Academy for Boys, was granted permission to attend its all-girl sister school, Ainsley Academy. Now she has her sights set on the Sibyls, a secret society offering access to a hefty, much-needed scholarship. However, Angel Beaumont, the benefactor of the Sibyls, doesn’t want to award the scholarship to a trans girl, and the controversy could draw the attention of Child Protective Services to Tara’s parents, who are supportive of her transition. Tara is a complex character, full of very human contrasts. She admits that she wishes she were cis and confesses “that when I thought of myself in a girl’s body, I imagined being white.” She struggles to envision life beyond transition and dismisses attempts by Liam (her friend who’s a trans boy) to belong, though they are the mirror image of her own. Meanwhile, people seem to be saying that in order to be embraced, Tara must be better than other girls. The book itself contains a similar duality: honest, perceptive, and readable, although the writing is sometimes unpolished and some elements are confusing. Nevertheless, the story thoughtfully explores the desire for acceptance, the difficulty of living under laws targeting trans youth, and the tension of seeking access to an oppressive system, rather than sacrificing your own well-being to fight it.

Insightful characterization and relatable moments make this story worth reading.