Review: Gracefully Grayson

Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Finished on June 19, 2021

Favorite Scene/Quote: Chapter 34

This is one of those books that I’ve owned for many years but haven’t gotten around to it until recently.
    
Grayson lives with her aunt, uncle, and cousin after the death of her parents years ago. When she’s safe at home she likes to daydream of being a beautiful princess, but she tries hard not to be seen at school. Grayson is transgender and is seen as a boy by everyone else around her. Keeping it a secret takes a toll on her, but she’s scared of the consequences of coming out to everyone. She auditions for Persephone in the school play and gets the support of a teacher and other students.

I really liked a lot of the characters in this book. Grayson is precious and she deserves all the best in life. She’s sweet and caring and she wants to be seen as a girl so much. I love the friends that she made in the drama group. They were so sweet to Grayson and something that surprised me when I first read it was how easily the other kids took to Grayson playing Persephone. The teacher was trying so hard for his kids, and I loved him. One of my favorite characters is Grayson’s uncle though. He doesn’t quite get what’s going on, but he wants to support Grayson.

I don’t know why but there seemed like there was something missing in this book. I think it might have just been more with the characters. I found that I enjoyed parts of it but that there were some scenes that just seemed to drag or go on too long. I liked the scenes where Grayson was finding items at the thrift store, but I wish there had been more to Grayson’s character. More depth and discussion of Grayson’s identity.

This book isn’t bad, but I found that I lost interest at times. If you want a book with a trans female character that’s geared more towards younger kids, then go for it.