The Art of Being Normal

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Loved the introductory exploration of trans issues in this book, even if it faltered in other areas. The Art of Being Normal follows two protagonists who both go to Eden Park School: Kate, who has always wanted to be a girl, and Leo Denten, an outsider with dark secrets of his own. Though the two seem quite different - Kate, more reserved and wistful, Leo, more moody and confrontational - a twist of fate brings them together in ways neither of them expect. Bratty Teenage Daughter: More like preteenage, but Livvy Piper comes off as this a lot of the time, and she rarely has anything nice to say to or about Kate.

I haven’t read this, but it was really interesting reading your review Chiara! The blurb made it sound like Kate was in the process of going through the transition, and wouldn’t be Kate until the end of the book, which doesn’t seem like the case. David has a secret. He hasn’t told his family. He hasn’t come out to the world with it. Only his best friends, and his trusty journal know the truth. If he could be anything in the world…he’d want to be a girl.Laser-Guided Karma: Harry Beaumont is two seconds away from publically outing Kate in the middle of the school cafeteria when Leo intervenes and breaks his nose.

Police Are Useless: Invoked word-for-word by Kerry after Leo finally comes home after having been missing for two days. Leo, on the whole, was a character I really liked. There were some cliché teenage moments on his behalf, but it was kind of forgivable because he is a teenager. His storyline is mainly centred on his romantic relationship with a girl at his new school, Alicia, and his relationship with his parents. The Ace: Both Zachary Olsen and Alicia Baker are popular, attractive and talented in what they both do, respectively sports and music. As for Leo, he had a hard upbringing with a mother ignoring him most the time and not having a real connection with any of his siblings, even his twin. He's a loner, loves being alone and claims not to need friends. But that's without David stumbling into his life and refusing to leave.Two boys. Two secrets. David Piper has always been an outsider. His parents think he’s gay. The school bully thinks he’s a freak. Only his two best friends know the real truth – David wants to be a girl. On the first day at his new school Leo Denton has one goal – to be invisible. Attracting the attention of the most beautiful girl in year 11 is definitely not part of that plan. When Leo stands up for David in a fight, an unlikely friendship forms. But things are about to get messy. Because at Eden Park School secrets have a funny habit of not staying secret for long. When Leo stands up for David in a fight, an unlikelyfriendship forms. butthings are about to get messy. because at Eden Park Schoolsecrets have a funny habit of not staying secret for long... Heroes Love Dogs: Applies to Leo, who momentarily drops the tough guy act when he meets Kate's dog Phil.