Lily and Dunkin

Lily and Dunkin
Donna Gephart
Delacorte, 2016 352 pages
Grades 6-8
Realistic Fiction

Lily, born as a boy named Tim, wishes she could be herself, as she prepares for eighth grade. Much to her father's annoyance, she greets him outside wearing one of her mom's dresses. It is then that she meets a new boy with the unfortunate name of Norbert. Norbert, because of his Dunkin' Donuts addiction, gets re-branded by Lily as "Dunkin" and a tentative friendship is formed. Dunkin has a secret of his own. He is battling bipolar disorder and is leaving behind secrets concerning his father as he and his mom have moved from New Jersey into his grandmother's house in Florida. Because of his height, Dunkin is recruited to join the basketball team, a sport in which he has no interest or talent, and he struggles to fit in with this group of jocks and begins to play with his medication in order to tap into a competitive edge. Although his mother, sister, and best friend are supportive, Lily is dealing with convincing her dad of her true self and getting permission for hormone blockers, avoiding harassment by the school bullies, and the threat of demolition of her favorite tree. Dunkin's troubles come to a head and he finally plugs into some much needed mental health and faces the truth about his past. Will both young people find the courage to show the eighth grade world who they really are and to publicly be friends?

Told in two perspectives, Gephart tackles many important issues in one book: bullying, transgender youth, mental illness, peaceful protest, and protecting the environment. Her main message is to stand up for what is right, present yourself as who you really are and to accept others for their true selves. Definitely issue driven, this book will appeal to the graduates of Wonder and Counting by Sevens. The two narrators are written distinctly and it is never a problem to distinguish who is speaking. Parents and adults are important characters in the story and, though they are not perfect, they are pivotal in the lives of the main characters and try to pay attention to their problems and help. Sometimes the issues seem to overwhelm the story and the angst feels a bit repetitive, although these issues are not generally represented in children’s literature and their discussion is welcome. The ending gets sewed up a bit too neatly and cleanly, but the target age group will appreciate the happy ending. Lily and Dunkin feel a bit unrealistically brave and mature for thirteen, yet as characters they will give hope to other young people struggling in similar situations. An author's note at the end includes more information and resources for transgender youth and bipolar disorder. A lot of punch packed in one book, Lily and Dunkin is a reflection of what is facing some of our young people today, giving validation and understanding to young readers.