Gracefully Grayson

By Ami Polonsky

Book Overview

"Tenderly and courageously told, Gracefully Grayson is a small miracle of a book. Its story is so compelling I found myself holding my breath as I read it and so intimate I felt as if what was happening to Grayson was happening to me. Thank you, Ami Polonsky, for creating this memorable character who will open hearts and minds and very possibly be the miracle that changes lives." --James Howe, award-winning and best-selling author of The Misfits

What if who you are on the outside doesn't match who you are on the inside?

Grayson Sender has been holding onto a secret for what seems like forever: "he" is a girl on the inside, stuck in the wrong gender's body. The weight of this secret is crushing, but sharing it would mean facing ridicule, scorn, rejection, or worse. Despite the risks, Grayson's true self itches to break free. Will new strength from an unexpected friendship and a caring teacher's wisdom be enough to help Grayson step into the spotlight she was born to inhabit?

Ami Polonsky's moving, beautifully-written novel about identity, self-esteem, and friendship shines with the strength of a young person's spirit and the enduring power of acceptance.

Don't miss Ami Polonsky's stunning new novel, Every Story Ever Told.
Praise for Gracefully Grayson

"Don't be intimidated when I say that Gracefully Grayson is an important book. (It is.) It's also a brave, exhilarating, heart-stopping, roller-coaster ride of self-discovery that will leave you cheering." --Dean Pitchford, Oscar-winning songwriter and award-winning author of Captain Nobody and Nickel Bay Nick "In this sweet and thoughtful debut, an introverted sixth grader begins to come into her own as a transgender girl. The writing is clear and effortless, with a straightforward plot and likable characters. Grayson is a charming narrator who balances uncertainty with clarity, bravery with anxiety. This title has less obvious and didactic intent than other novels featuring transgender protagonists. A welcome addition to a burgeoning genre." --School Library Journal "Thoughtfully told through Grayson's eyes, the story conveys his angst, hurt, loss, and emerging confidence as he struggles with a whirlwind of emotions. His new friends allow him to find the courage to become who "she" really is, and we are privileged to watch the transformation take place. With great courage, Polonsky's debut novel reminds us with much sensitivity that we are all unique and deserve to become who we are meant to be." --Booklist "Polonsky captures the loneliness of a child resigned to disappear rather than be rejected, and then the courageous risk that child eventually takes to be seen for who she is. The first-person narration successfully positions readers to experience Grayson's confusion, fear, pain, and triumphs as they happen, lending an immediate and intimate feel to the narrative." --Horn Book

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1423185277
• ISBN13: 9781423185277
• Release Date: November 2014
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.94 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.9" x 5.8"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

heartwarming coming of age novel for trans kids :)

The plot of the book itself is definitely simple, yet heartwarming, especially given that I'm also transgender and I've known so since around Grayson's age. I wish that there was a stronger indication of this being an LGBTQ+ novel within the vocabulary used, as other readers have pointed out. However, I feel like not including that makes the book more realistic. A lot of people, especially people around Grayson's age, don't have the words to describe their identity, which I think could be the case for her as well. But that aside, given that this is written by a cisgender author, I really enjoyed this book and the way its written could for sure appeal to queer readers. I felt connected to Grayson and the way her emotions and thoughts were conveyed as a reaction to the events that occurred throughout the book really resonated with me; it felt familiar.