Symptoms of Being Human

Reviewed by: Jan Hamilton - Long Creek Detention Center, South Portland, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: November 7, 2016

Review

Reading "Symptoms of Being Human" is like opening your mind to let new information settle in while incorporating all your previous knowledge about sexuality. Riley is an excellent thoughtful imperfect character who tells the story with simple human emotion. Isolated as an individual yet very exposed as the child of a congressman, Riley has not come out to friends or family.

This book is so raw and real that it inspires tears and anger. Garvin has presented a teen who identifies as a boy or a girl alternately but is stuck in a world that uses only one pronoun for a person. The stress is palpable, the taunting threatening and the pain feels real to the reader. There are some lovely romantic moments sprinkled among all the horrible situations that Riley experiences as a gender fluid teen.

This book belongs in all high school libraries and a copy should be provided to the school social worker. While reading this book several teens came to mind who would appreciate a copy. I recommend this as a gift book for open minded YA readers.

Suggested as a cream of the crop book

Overall Book Score: excellent