Girl Mans Up

by M-E Girard Narrated by Emma Galvin

Overview

Lambda Literary Award Winner! “Pen is an inspiration to anyone who's struggled to be understood, and a vital addition to the growing world of genderqueer protagonists.” -New York Times Book Review

All Pen wants is to be the kind of girl she's always been. So why does everyone have a problem with it?

They think the way she looks and acts means she's trying to be a boy-that she should quit trying to be something she's not. If she dresses like a girl, and does what her folks want, it will show respect. If she takes orders and does what her friend Colby wants, it will show her loyalty.

But respect and loyalty, Pen discovers, are empty words. Old-world parents, disintegrating friendships, and strong feelings for other girls drive Pen to see the truth-that in order to be who she truly wants to be, she'll have to man up.

M. E. Girard's Girl Mans Up is perfect for fans of Meredith Russo, Becky Albertalli, Alex Sanchez, and Jaye Robin Brown!

Entertainment Weekly Best YA Book of 2016 * Children's Book Council Books Best Book of 2016 * Kirkus Reviews Best Teen Coming-of-Age Novel of 2016 and Best Teen Book of 2016 with Unforgettable Protagonists * Publishers Weekly Fall 2016 Flying Starts * William C. Morris YA Debut Award Finalist

Editorial Reviews

The New York Times Book Review - Jen Doll

Girard's novel is compulsively readable, by turns wrenching and euphoric. Pen is an inspiration to anyone who's struggled to be understood, and a vital addition to the growing world of genderqueer protagonists.

From the Publisher

A powerful book about identity, belonging, and the collision between sexuality and cultural expectations.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“This is a fresh title in the growing sea of LGBTQ YA literature. There is no sugarcoating in this very real portrayal of an aspect of teen life that many experience. Recommended for fans of YA urban fiction as well as those who prefer grittier LGBTQ lit.” — School Library Journal (starred review)

“Fierce. Tender. Unstoppable.” — Lauren Myracle, New York Times bestselling author of The Infinite Moment of Us and co-author of How to Be Bad

“Original. Courageous. Vibrant.” — Michael Cart, Columnist at ALA Booklist and Former President of Young Adult Library Services Michael Cart, Editor of Taking Aim and How Beautiful the Ordinary

“Heartfelt. Refreshing. True.” — Ariel Schrag, author of Potential and Adam

“I loved it. A brilliant new writer to watch.” — Malinda Lo, author of Ash, Adaptation, and Inheritance and co-founder of Diversity in YA

“Respeito for Pen.” — Sara Ryan, Award winning author of Empress of the World and Bad Houses

“Raw. Real. Irresistable.” — I.W. Gregorio, author of None of the Above

“Girard explores questions of family, friendship, loyalty, and identity through the voice of Pen Oliveira, a 16-year old girl ... [She] forcefully conveys the fear Pen lives with, having experienced frequent mockery and bullying, and her courage in aspiring to a safe, loving community for herself and her friends.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Sara Ryan

Respeito for Pen.

Lauren Myracle

Fierce. Tender. Unstoppable.

Malinda Lo

I loved it. A brilliant new writer to watch.

I.W. Gregorio

Raw. Real. Irresistable.

Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

A powerful book about identity, belonging, and the collision between sexuality and cultural expectations.

Michael Cart

Original. Courageous. Vibrant.

Ariel Schrag

Heartfelt. Refreshing. True.

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

A powerful book about identity, belonging, and the collision between sexuality and cultural expectations.

New York Times Book Review

Girard’s novel is compulsively readable, by turns wrenching and euphoric. Pen is an inspiration to anyone who’s struggled to be understood, and a vital addition to the growing world of genderqueer protagonists.

The Globe and Mail

An unassuming coming-of-age story about gender and sexuality that barely mentions labels, has no agenda and takes unexpected but genuine turns. It’s also a universal story because we’re all striving for the place where we can confidently say, as Pen does, ‘I don’t feel wrong inside myself.’

Quill & Quire (starred review)

Girl Mans Up makes the reader question things that we, as a society, take for granted. One such example is the idea that children owe their parents respect. While undoubtedly true, don’t parents owe their children the same? That the author effortlessly inspires such reflection is nothing short of remarkable.

Grace Wright

GIRL MANS UP is mind blowing. Pen has stolen my heart always. Her voice is so honest and raw that it is enrapturing. It is such an incredible look at gender, race, and sexuality that I hope it becomes an instant classic.

Kirkus Reviews

★ 2016-06-22
A teen faces down hostility, making her own decisions about loyalty, respect, and gender.Sixteen-year-old Pen (not Penelope) has always been butch, including her habit of wearing her brother's clothes even though her mother says it makes her look like a "punk druggy." Old friend Colby, who accepted her gender presentation when they were 9, now insists that everyone around him prove loyalty through service: one guy procures weed, another does Colby's homework, and Pen's his wingman with girls. Pen's awkward, volatile, and abrupt—and confused about loyalty—but Colby's a real jerk. Then a girl named Blake with "crazy blond hair…and a lot of black makeup" falls for Pen, and they have a hot romance. To Colby's menacing fury, Pen also befriends his most recent castoff, Olivia, even accompanying Olivia to her abortion. Pen's parents say the ongoing gender persecution she endures is her own fault, castigating her in (italicized) Portuguese and broken English, making home life unbearable—until Pen decides for herself what respeito (respect) really means. The good things in her life, she realizes, are Blake, Olivia, video games, the supportive older brother who helps her leave home—and her gender identity, which (though unlabeled) is squarely in the nonbinary range. Pen's family is Portuguese and, like most other characters, presumably white; Olivia's "Asian" with no further designation. A strong genderqueer lesbian character, imperfect, independent, and deserving of every cheer. (Fiction. 14 & up)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170066971
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	09/06/2016
Edition description:	Unabridged

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