Parrotfish by Ellen Wittlinger

Wittlinger, Ellen.  Parrotfish.

Simon & Schuster; 2007,

ISBN: 1416916229.

Reader’s Annotation

When Angela announces that is really a boy, and that her new name is Grady, the reactions from her family, friends and fellow students is mixed.

Plot Summary

When she finally gets tired on living a lie, Angela makes her announcement.  Even though Angela is biologically a girl, on the inside, she knows that she is really a boy.  Wanting to finally live life honestly and openly, Angela starts wearing baggy boys’ clothes and a chest binder, and takes on the name Grady.  As the story opens, Grady has just made his announcement.  Already he seems happier, more at peace and comfortable.  His family and his best friend Eve are anything but.  Grady’s dad and little brother seem to have a much easier time accepting Grady’s new gender status.  Grady’s mom obviously struggles with the fact that her daughter has chosen to be a son to her.  Grady’s sister, Laura, is positively horrified, and is most concerned with how Grady’s announcement will affect her image at school.  Eve, who has been Grady’s (actually Angela’s) best friend since childhood, distances herself from him and is just trying to fit in to the “right crowd”.  Grady picks up some unexpected allies—a nerdy friend named  Sebastian, who immediately connects Angela/Grady’s experience to that of parrotfish, a species in nature that changes gender.  Also, the gruff PE teacher shows the most understanding, and helps Grady with practical matters, like where to change or use the restroom.  As Christmas draws near, and the family is quietly rebelling against the tradition of performing A Christmas Carol, but not wanting hurt the dad, Grady finds a creative way using humor and kindness to make an important point.  Sometimes, traditions needs to be tailored to fit real life—not the other way around.

Critical Evaluation

Parrotfish tells of one character's experience opening up about being transgendered.  Wittlinger gives readers a glimpse of what that experience feels like for the one going through it.  Instead of taking on a whole issue, Wittlinger cleverly and powerfully puts a face on being transgendered.  One of the more compelling metaphors in this novel is the the father's insistence on continuing the family tradition of performing A Christmas Carol.  The family has truly out-grown the tradition, and Grady's way of transforming the tradition to make it fun, and yet more honest, reflects the quality of Grady's character.  It is impossible to read this book and feel anything but compassion for Grady.  It also makes the reader reexamine what their reactions might be.

Information about the Author

Born in 1948 in Illinois, Ellen Wittlinger has also lived in Ashland, OR, and in Cape Cod in Massachusetts.  She has written many plays, and then after becoming a children’s librarian, decided to try writing for young adults, and “has never looked back!”  Wittlinger has written many works about GLBT characters, and takes great pride in providing a voice for teens who may be struggling with their identity, and who feel isolated and alone.  For more information go to: Ellen Wittlinger. 

Genre

Realistic Fiction

Issues

Curriculum Tie-ins

Health—sexuality

Booktalk Ideas

1. How does the performing of A Christmas Carol, relate to what is happening in Grady’s life?
2. Discuss Grady’s PE teacher and her reaction to Grady’s announcement.  What did you think of her actions in assisting Grady?

Reading level/Interest age

Young Adult (ages 14 +)

Challenge Issues/Challenge Response Ideas

Sexuality/Gender identity

--Present the library’s selection policy

--Refer to ALA Intellectual Freedom resources

--Refer to awards and honors including:

• Finalist, Lambda Literary Awards, 2008
• NYPL Books for the Teen Age list, 2008
• Nominated: ALA Stonewall Awards, 2008
• Advocate Top Picks for Trans YA Fiction
• ALA Rainbow List, 2008
• Nominated: Cybils, 2007

Why I included this work

This was assigned reading, and I am glad, because I doubt I would have read it otherwise.

Great Quote from the Book:

"People changed lots of other personal things all the time. They dyed their hair and dieted themselves to near death. They took steroids to build muscles and got breast implants and nose jobs so they'd resemble their favorite movie stars. They changed names and majors and jobs and husbands and wives. They changed religions and political parties. They moved across the country or the world -- even changed nationalities. Why was gender the one sacred thing we weren’t supposed to change? Who made that rule?"