Luna

* Bibliographic information
Peters, J. A. Luna. Little, Brown and Company, 2006. ISBN-10: 0-316-01127-4

- National Book Award Finalist
- ALA Best Book for Young Adults, 2005


* Plot Summary
Regan is trying to live a normal teenage life but is constantly distracted from it by her brother Liam, or as Regan knows her; Luna. Luna wants to live as a woman because that is how she feels but she was born into a male body. Luna struggles with hiding her true identity everyday; she feels like she is suffocating. The only person Luna can talk to about her problems is her sister, Regan. Regan knows this and feels the pressure to always be there for Luna no matter if it means putting herself second. This book shows the struggle of a transgender teenager through the eyes of a sister who loves her brother but is also at times embarrassed by him and his issues. Regan wants to be a normal teen and date boys but finds it hard because she is always worrying about Luna’s well being. Regan also worries that people will find out about Luna and she will suffer the consequences for the rest of high school.


* Critical Evaluation
This book and its genre are so important for teens. Many teens are struggling with this very problem and need something to guide them or make them feel less isolated. This book is also important in teaching young adults to have an open mind. The author did a great job of telling Luna’s story. Telling it through the sister gave readers another voice to be heard other than just Luna’s; both are important. In using the sister, Peters gave readers a character that most could relate to. Luna would be hard for many teens to relate with but most can identify with Regan and wanting to fit in with others in high school but at the same time wanting to be there for a friend or family member. The writing is wonderful and really gives the impression of a young adult woman’s feelings. The reader gets to see the struggle that Regan has between her life and Luna’s and wanting to be part of both.


* Reader’s Annotation
Regan is putting her life on hold out of love; she is distracted by the transformation of her brother from Liam to Luna; the woman he always thought he should be.


* Information about the author
Julie Ann Peters grew up in, and still lives in Colorado. Peters lives there with her partner and enjoys staying at home but visiting places with her mind. Writing was her third try at a career. She first tried teaching but was fired, she then tried working in the field of computers but realized it was not what she wanted. She started writing to deal with the failure of her first two career choices. She says she writes young adult novels because she wanted to go back to a time in her life “when the decisions I made, the paths I chose, determined the kind of person I would become” (http://www.julieannepeters.com/files/index.htm). Peters has won many awards for her books, especially the well reviewed, Luna.


* Genre
Teen Fiction; LGBT


* Curriculum Ties, if any
English, if it was allowed in a school setting without challenge:
According to the English–Language Arts Content Standards for California Public Schools, found at http://curriculum.suhsd.k12.ca.us/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51&Itemid=66, this book would tie into the Literary Response and Analysis part of the curriculum, the student must “Determine characters’ traits by what the characters say about themselves in narration, dialogue, dramatic monologue, and soliloquy” (p.57).
This book would probably not be used in a high school setting because many parents would oppose it, but the book could teach students about being open minded and about issues that exist in high school but are not really discussed openly, such as transgender teens and homosexuality.


* Booktalking Ideas
1) Discuss gender identity and the way both genders were portrayed in this book.
2) Do you think the author should make a sequel, if so, what should it cover?
3) If a second book was made, should it be told through Luna’s eyes?
4) Why do you think Regan always put Luna first and never spoke up about it?


* Reading Level/Interest Age
9th grade and up/ 15 and up


* Challenge Issues and Defense
Challenge Issues: Transgenders, homosexuality, gender reassignment surgery.

Defense ideas:
1) Ask the patron about the book and issue in question and find out how much they know about the book.
2) Help the patron become more familiar with the book and its content.
3) Show the patron positive reviews for this book, such as ones found on amazon.com; School Library Journal and Booklist, http://www.amazon.com/Luna-Julie-Anne-Peters/dp/0316011274/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256682055&sr=1-1.
4) If available, introduce the patron to people who have read it in the library or tell the patron what you thought of the book if you have read it.
5) Show the patron the collection development policy for that particular library. For example, the one for the San Diego County library, http://dbpcosdcsgt.co.san-diego.ca.us/screens/Intranet/policy/sdcl-policy_O.41_material-selection.pdf
6) If they still want to file a grievance about the book begin the necessary paperwork by giving them the forms they need to fill out. In the San Diego County system, the grievance will then go to The Challenged Materials Team. If the committee cannot resolve the issue, it then goes to the County Library Director for a final decision. http://dbpcosdcsgt.co.san-diego.ca.us/screens/Intranet/policy/sdcl-policy_O.34_intellectual_freedom.pdf


* Why did you include this book in your titles you selected?
I read this book for a separate assignment but I included this book in my blog because I felt it was a book that people need to be aware of. Transgender people are a group of people that are still widely misunderstood by the general population. This book allows readers to see a glimpse of what someone who is transgender goes through and the obstacles they face. All teenagers face issues about identity and trying to figure out who they are as they become adults. This is one more book that shows this struggle, the author just uses a character with less familiar problems.