Jess, Chunk, and the Road Trip to Infinity

September 19, 2016
Jess, a transgender teen who recently graduated from high school, embarks on a cross-country road trip to crash her father’s wedding, joined by her best friend, Chunk. Tensions soon escalate: the two “compatible nerds” begin fighting the first night, Jess worries that her Adam’s apple will betray her, and her father refuses to stop thinking of her as a boy going through a phase. The plot centers on Jess’s journey to self-acceptance, using her art portfolio to manifest crucial past memories alongside her present-day narration. Is Jess as self-centered as Chunk accuses her of being? Perhaps, but Clark (Freakboy) purposefully thrusts her into the spotlight as she explores publicly transitioning, a terrifying, uncomfortable, and euphoric part of Jess’s quest to discover her identity. “Is it so wrong to want to appear to the world the way I see myself?” she asks. Despite an arguably happy ending, Clark resists pat answers as Jess reconciles her relationships with those who knew her as Jeremy, discovers surprising feelings of jealousy, and faces the very real danger of being different in a society that embraces norms. Ages 12–up. Agent: Tracey Adams, Adams Literary.

A trans girl artist goes on a road trip with her fat best friend and publicly dresses as her true self for the first time.Jess (Jeremy to Jess' dad) and Christophe (Chunk to Jess) are on their way to the wedding of Jess' estranged dad. Thanks to her father's transphobia, Jess has been on hormones for only the seven months since she turned 18, and she's worried about passing. As they drive from liberal San Jose through places about which Jess has only fearful stereotypes, she seesaws from euphoria at the freedom of living openly to utter terror. Does she have visible stubble? Will she be murdered in a gas-station toilet? Jess realizes slowly that there are trans and trans-friendly people all over the U.S. She realizes even more slowly that--regardless of her own gender--she can behave in some pretty rotten ways to her loved ones. Jess' personal growth comes slowly, and she treats her overwhelmingly considerate best friend in fatphobic ways he clearly loathes. At the moment of truth an out-of-the-blue epiphany provides a happy ending. Written by the mother of a trans woman, the narrative appears at times to be more a vehicle for communicating the essential humanity of trans people than a fully developed story; both Jess and Christophe appear to be white by default. Well-meaning and timely but not as strong as Meredith Russo's If I Was Your Girl and Brie Spangler's Beast (both 2016). (Fiction. 12-16) COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

September 1, 2016

Gr 9 Up-Immediately after graduation, Jess and her best friend, Chunk, embark on a road trip from San Jose, CA, to Chicago. Trans teen Jess has tried to fly under the radar, but now she's ready to show her true self. Where better to make her debut than a surprise appearance at her transphobic dad's wedding to her mom's former best friend? The road trip uncovers many worries, tensions, and truths. Jess is concerned for her safety and nervous about passing. Her friendship with Chunk-who really hates the taunting and judgmental nickname and would prefer to be called Chuck-is on the rocks, too. He's spending the trip texting another girl while growing increasingly irritated at Jess's utter self-absorption. For someone so aware of names, image, and identity, Jess is extremely insensitive, especially when it comes to weight. It takes seeing (and overhearing) Chuck interact with new people for Jess to understand her feelings and begin to see beyond herself. Though it relies on an engaging premise, the novel is a mixed bag. Some things are true simply because readers are told they are (such as a significant revelation about Chuck that's barely addressed). Chuck and Jess avoid some really big conversations that would reveal more about themselves and their relationship. Much like their friendship, the ending feels superficial. VERDICT Despite its flaws, this is still a useful addition to collections because of its rare multifaceted picture of a trans girl with a story that is about more than just coming out.-Amanda MacGregor, formerly at Great River Regional Library, Saint Cloud, MN

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from August 1, 2016
Grades 9-12 *Starred Review* Road trip! Jess and her best friend, Chunk, are on their way from San Jose to Chicago to crash the second wedding of Jess' dad (he's marrying Jess' mom's former best friend). Jess, who is transitioning from Jeremyshe's been taking hormones for seven monthshopes to confront her father, whom she regards as transphobic, with the real her. But first there's that trip: Jess, who is thrilled to be passing as a girl, encounters a trans woman who warns her to be careful; she and Chunk befriend a girl they find alone on the roadside; and Jess discovers Chunk's plan to stop along the way to meet a girl with whom he's been texting. Jess does not react well to this, realizing that she is in love with her best friend, who can't possibly return her feelings . . . can he? Clark (Freakboy, 2013) has written a thoughtful, engaging examination of a transition that is fraught with misunderstandings. Chunk tells Jess an uncomfortable truth: she's totally self-centered and judgmental and does not take into account the reality of other people's circumstances and feelings. Is it too late for her to change? Readers will be eager to find out in this compelling novel that deserves a place at the forefront of the growing body of literature about transgender teens.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2017
After high school, best friends Jess and Chunk embark on a road trip from California to Chicago so eighteen-year-old Jess can confront her father at his wedding (to her mom's best friend) about her decision to transition to female. After portraying a trans kid's experience with honesty and raw emotion, Clark swiftly wraps up Jess's story with a way-too-tidy ending.

(Copyright 2017 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

August 15, 2016
A trans girl artist goes on a road trip with her fat best friend and publicly dresses as her true self for the first time.Jess (Jeremy to Jess' dad) and Christophe (Chunk to Jess) are on their way to the wedding of Jess' estranged dad. Thanks to her fathers transphobia, Jess has been on hormones for only the seven months since she turned 18, and she's worried about passing. As they drive from liberal San Jose through places about which Jess has only fearful stereotypes, she seesaws from euphoria at the freedom of living openly to utter terror. Does she have visible stubble? Will she be murdered in a gas-station toilet? Jess realizes slowly that there are trans and trans-friendly people all over the U.S. She realizes even more slowly thatregardless of her own gendershe can behave in some pretty rotten ways to her loved ones. Jess' personal growth comes slowly, and she treats her overwhelmingly considerate best friend in fatphobic ways he clearly loathes. At the moment of truth an out-of-the-blue epiphany provides a happy ending. Written by the mother of a trans woman, the narrative appears at times to be more a vehicle for communicating the essential humanity of trans people than a fully developed story; both Jess and Christophe appear to be white by default. Well-meaning and timely but not as strong as Meredith Russos If I Was Your Girl and Brie Spanglers Beast (both 2016). (Fiction. 12-16)

COPYRIGHT(2016) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.