Luna

Luna by Julie Anne Peters

Luna by Julie Anne Peters, Hachette Book Group, New York, 2004. ISBN: 978-0316011273

Plot Summary

Regan is getting tired of hiding a secret from everyone she knows. Her older brother golden boy Liam, is actually transgender. Nobody else knows about Luna, Liam’s true self, except for Regan, and it’s getting harder to keep the secret. Their dad wants Liam to try out for sports and have a girlfriend like any other ‘normal’ teenage boy. And their mom is too busy with her wedding planning business to notice anything strange going on.

Regan just wants a normal life--one where she understands her chemistry class, has friends, and maybe even start dating Chris, the new, cute guy who seems to like her. But when Liam tells Regan he wants to transition and tell his family and friends about Luna, Regan knows any chance at a normal life is over. Now Luna wants to go out shopping, go to malls and shops, and act like a normal teenage girl. But what will happen when Luna’s secret gets out? How will their parents and friends respond?

Critical Evaluation

It’s easy to identify with both Regan and Liam/Luna.  Regan may not think of herself as a typical teen girl, but she still worries about school, boys, and friends, like many teens do.  Readers can also relate to Regan’s feelings about keeping her brother’s secret: many teens have been in the same position, regardless of what the secret is. Regan is also trying to find out her own identity, as she wants to be her own person, and not just simply Liam’s sister. Trying to set themselves apart from their siblings is something many teens and even adults can identify with. The audience can also identify with Liam/Luna's struggle to be her true self, despite what others might think.

I found the relationship between Regan and Luna to be realistic and emotional. Regan loves her sibling, but  at the same time finds herself embarrassed and annoyed when Luna comes out.  Despite Regan’s thoughts that Luna has ruined and betrayed her, she does come back and help out her sister by going shopping with her, or continuing to keep her secret.  Like many ‘real life’ sibling relationships, Regan and Luna’s relationship isn’t perfect.  They scream, cry, and say terrible things to each other.  But both Regan and Luna realize that as sisters, they will always be there for each other.  

Reader’s Annotation

How much does Regan love her brother? Enough to keep his true self, Luna, safe.

About the Author

 “Julie Anne Peters is the critically-acclaimed, award winning author of more than a dozen books for young adults and children. Her book, Luna, was a National Book Award Finalist; Keeping You a Secret  was named a Stonewall Honor Book; Between Mom and Jo won a Lambda Literary Award; and Define “Normal” was voted by young readers as their favorite book of the year in California and Maryland. Julie’s books have been published in numerous countries, including Korea, China, Croatia, Germany, France, Italy, Indonesia, Turkey, and Brazil.”

“To deal with the devastating possibility that I might have actually failed at my SECOND career choice, I began to write. What came out of me were stories and books for young people. They took me back to the time in my life when the decisions I made, the paths I chose, determined the kind of person I would become.  I still live in Colorado, in the 'burbs. My partner Sherri and I met in college, and we’ve been together ever since. Our home sits on a hill with a breathtaking view of the snow-capped peaks along the Continental Divide. There's a skulk of foxes (that's what my Thesaurus calls them) who've laid claim to our neighborhood, along with the occasional coyote on the prowl for good garbage digs.

My neighbors think I'm slumming because I stay home all day. But they can't see all the places I go to in my mind. Amazing, exciting, happy, sad, horrible, wonderful places. Yeah, okay, these may be psychotic episodes brought on by lack of human contact, but I like to think my brain is a breeding ground for stories. Something is always festering in there. So, readers, sit tight; you're in for a rocky ride. I promise you one thing—it'll be noisy, but fun.”

(My True Story.  Retrieved  November 19^th, 2014 from http://www.julieannepeters.com/files/JPBio.htm)

Genres

LGBTQ

Contemporary/Coming of Age 

Curriculum Ties: N/A

Booktalking Ideas

1:  Keeping a secret: when is it okay, when does it become unhealthy?

2: Being true to yourself, despite what others think.

Reading Level/Interest Age

14+

Grades 9+

Challenge Issues

LGBTQ

Language

Defense File

1—Ensure that policies such as “Freedom to Read,” “Collection Development,” and “Challenged Materials” are available for patrons and staff to read and research. Have list of awards and reviews for titles, as well as a “Reconsideration Form” on hand at all branches.

2—Listen to challenges and complaints openly and without judgment. Allow the patron to express their thoughts without inputting your own.

3—Have patron fill out reconsideration form. Provide information and background on challenge material’s author and title.  Forward reconsideration form to appropriate supervisors.

PPLD’s Challenge Materials Policy: http://ppld.org/challenged-materials-policy

PPLD’s Collection Development Policy: http://ppld.org/collection-development-policy

Why Included?

I included “Luna” for its themes on gender identity. I also loved the relationship between Regan and Luna.