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Freakboy
Clark, Kristin Elizabeth
ISBN 978-0-374-32472-8
2013 Farrar Strauss Giroux, New York
Plot Summary:
This novel is written in free verse. Throughout the book the story is told from the perspective of Brendan, Vanessa, and Angel.
Early in the novel Brendan has an incidental encounter with Angel on a bus. Later Brendan
vandalizes the teen center and feels the need to repay for the repairs. He begins anonymously
sending donations to the teen center. As Brendan’s friendship with Angel develops, his sense of
self changes.
Vanessa loves Brendan and they begin a sexual relationship. She does not know why Brendan
is withdrawing, but she is desperate to be the perfect couple she always felt they were.
Meanwhile, Angel is developing a healthy relationship and struggling to understand how she
should be helping Brendan.
Critical Evaluation:
The story is emotional and has great depth. Brendan is a high school senior who is discovering things about his sexual identity that he doesn’t understand. While dealing with this, he is maintaining his relationship with Vanessa. Vanessa feels Brendan pulling away and tries to bring him back. The confusion Brendan feels over his gender identity, body and sexuality is very well expressed. The vignettes from Vanessa and Angel’s point of view show the emotional atmosphere around him.
While Brendan is dealing with his emotions, Angel is struggling to decide how she should help him. She asks her boyfriend and his moms for advice and that shows her conflict.
The structure of the novel in verse is an unusual choice. For some reluctant readers, the verse making the story a quick read will draw them in. For others, verse may be a turn off. This does make the novel stand out as structurally different.
Reader's Annotation:
Brendan is coping with major gender identity changes as he navigates his relationship with his girlfriend, Vanessa, and a new friend, Angel. The poetry will draw readers into a unique emotional awakening.
Author Information:
Kristin Elizabeth Clark lives and writes in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Northern California. She
hikes with her dog and reads to her cats… but she’s not one of THOSE people. Really.
She has worked as a child advocate within the juvenile justice system, as a children’s theater
producer, and is a proud volunteer at Project Outlet in Mountain View, California.
Her young adult debut, Freakboy, was published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) on
October 22nd, 2013.
Retrieved from: http://kristinelizabethclark.com/about/
Genre(s):
YA, LGBTQ, Coming of Age
Curriculum Ties:
Sexuality and Diversity
Booktalk Ideas:
Book talks about LGBTQ community, coming out stories, supportive communities
Reading level/Interest Age:
grade 7+/ grade 9+
Challenge Issues:
Sexuality, Transgender Issues
http://goodinglibr265su2015.blogspot.com/2015/08/challenge-defense-file.html
Why I chose this book:
This book is a unique format, well written and addresses a topic that has received a lot of recent
public attention.
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