Every once and awhile, a book comes along that breaks cultural norms and helps normalize kids with differences not often represented in the media. Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin is most certainly one of those books.
The story follows the life of Riley Cavanaugh, a highschool senior living in California. Riley is genderfluid, which means that their gender changes over time. In Riley’s case, it changes from male to female, and everywhere in between. Once they arrive at Park Hills High School, Riley’s classmates start to hurl insults. Two other students, Solo and Beck befriend Riley and help them survive school.
Riley sees a psychiatrist for their anxiety and panic attacks, and she is the only adult who knows about Riley’s gender identity. The psychiatrist suggests that they start a blog to help others, and the story unfolds from their. What will happen when bullies go to far? And how will Riley tell their parents?
Read Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin to find out.