Contemporary Authors

1. Freakboy LCCN 2012050407 Type of material Book Personal name Clark, Kristin Elizabeth, author. Main title Freakboy / Kristin Elizabeth Clark. Edition First edition. Published/Produced New York : Farrar Straus Giroux, 2013. Description 435 pages ; 22 cm ISBN 9780374324728 (hardcover) CALL NUMBER PZ7.5.C52 Fre 2013 LANDOVR Copy 1 Request in Jefferson or Adams Building Reading Rooms - STORED OFFSITE 2. Jess, Chunk, and the road trip to infinity LCCN 2015039501 Type of material Book Personal name Clark, Kristin Elizabeth, author. Main title Jess, Chunk, and the road trip to infinity / Kristin Elizabeth Clark. Edition First edition. Published/Produced New York : Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2016. Projected pub date 1611 Description pages cm ISBN 9780374380069 (hardcover : alk. paper) Library of Congress Holdings Information not available. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS ONLINE CATALOG Library of Congress 101 Independence Ave., SE Washington, DC 20540 Questions? Ask a Librarian: https://www.loc.gov/rr/askalib/ask-contactus.html

• [contributor] I See Reality : Twelve Short Stories About Real Life - 2015 Farrar, Straus and Giroux, New York, NY

• author's site - http://kristinelizabethclark.com/

  Kristin Elizabeth Clark lives and writes in San Francisco, Ca. She is a believer in and an advocate for human kindness. As such, she pretty much tries to stay off of social media. Kristin writes, teaches workshops, and speaks on panels about social justice, diversity, and writing for children and young adults. She’s also host and founder of The Ocean Beach Poet’s Society.

  Her young adult debut, Freakboy, was published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) in 2013. It received three starred reviews, and was named to several best-of lists, including the Top 10 Rainbow List by the American Library Association, and the Bank Street Best Books for Children.

  The praise she is most humbled by however comes from the readers, both trans* and cis, who write to tell her that the book has changed, and in some cases even saved, their lives.

  Her newest book, Jess, Chunk, and the Road Trip to Infinity publishes November 8, 2016.

• school library journal - http://www.slj.com/2013/10/interviews/authors-ellen-hopkins-and-kristin-elizabeth-clark-chat-about-freakboy/

  Authors Ellen Hopkins and Kristin Elizabeth Clark Chat About ‘Freakboy’
  By SLJ on October 2, 2013

  Kristin Elizabeth Clark recently sat down with her mentor, Ellen Hopkins, to talk about writing, her transition from middle grade to young adult lit, and just how her book Freakboy was born.

  EH: Do you remember our first meeting?

  Kristin Elizabeth ClarkKEC: I do indeed! It was at a conference. I had just picked up Impulse and was really into it. You were being mobbed by people and I thought you’d be hard to talk to but you weren’t. You are so kind to new writers and so good at getting them to focus on craft. I like to imagine that if you hadn’t become Ellen F. Hopkins, bestselling author, you’d be Ellen F. Hopkins, social worker extraordinaire. Or like the Mother Theresa of the great unwashed literati…

  Ellen HopkinsHahaha. I do have a reputation for gathering in strays, including lost-looking writers at conferences. That was the annual SCBWI conference in Los Angeles, one of the best literary parties of every year. I’ve made many friends at that conference. Some I’ve grown very close to, including this one stunning blond woman with a quirky fashion sense. That would be you, in case you don’t know.

  *Blushes* – although quirky fashion sense COULD mean anything.

  When we met, you were writing zany middle grade. Why the shift to YA? And why this subject matter?

  A few years ago a kid with whom I have a very close relationship came out to me as transgender. Living in the SF Bay Area, I thought I knew what that meant, but the more I talked with her, the more we researched support and resources for her, and the more gender queer individuals I got to know, the more I realized how many false assumptions I had about something I actually knew very little about at the time.

  I felt there needed to be more books out there dealing with the subject—and when I went to you, Oh Challenging YA Book Queen, wringing my hands and whining about this, you told me (nicely) to shut up and write the book myself.

  I chose YA because identity itself is a big question mark when you’re that age, and it felt as though this story was one that a lot of kids would be able to relate to. My protagonist is asking pretty universal questions. Who am I? Where do I fit in? What is my place in this world?

  I will never forget how freaked out I was when the story started coming out in verse – nor will I ever forget how encouraging you were about that little fact. Do you remember what you told me?

  Man, I’m pretty old to be remembering that far back… but the first thing I said was probably, “Are you insane?” Mostly because I know how you tussle with revision, and verse is incredibly hard to revise. And I might have warned about inevitable comparisons with my work, as well as the reluctance of some editors to tackle verse. But then I’m sure I told you to write the story the way it demanded to be written, and if verse was the way it was speaking to you, then you’d better listen. Is that close?

  Speaking of that, when you were mid-revision, you told me you’d never write another verse novel. Still true? Because that would be kind of sad.

  FreakboyThat’s sweet–but I’m STILL traumatized from revising Freakboy. So I would never say never but…

  What you said about my dip into verse was, “Freakboy is such an internal story, it’s likely verse is the best medium for it. Keep going.”

  It gave me such a boost. And you did warn me of people comparing what I was doing with what you do, or maybe even accusing me of copying your style–but again, you were so generous about that. You told me that stories told in verse have been around for centuries and that you didn’t invent it, so if it was speaking to me, I should just go for it, and to heck with detractors.

  Of course – you probably did warn me about how terribly hard it is to revise verse, but I didn’t hear it at the time. I learned later… boy, did I learn.

  How about you? Would you consider writing a book that was not in verse? Oh! And I understand you’re adapting something for stage. How’s that going?

  My next adult novel, Tangled, will be my first prose novel, although we won’t lose the verse completely. There’s a mystery element to the story, and readers will find clues in the poetry left behind. It’s been tough, trying to get adult readers to accept the concept of an alternate format like verse. So we’ll try breaking them in slowly. On the Crank-to-stage adaptation, it’s almost there. The theater company that asked me to write the script plans to produce it in the spring. I’d have finished it already, but this current book tour got in the way.

  A final question for you. What’s next?

  I’m really excited about the book I’m currently working on. My protagonist is transgender, but she’s pretty far along in the process and so while it’s an important part of the story, it’s not THE story the way it was in Freakboy.

  It’s not in verse!!!

• adams literary - http://www.adamsliterary.com/krisin-elizabeth-clark/

  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.

• adventures in YA publishing - http://www.adventuresinyapublishing.com/2016/11/kristin-elizabeth-clark-author-of-jess.html

  Sunday, November 13, 2016
  0
  Kristin Elizabeth Clark, author of JESS, CHUNK, AND THE ROAD TRIP TO INFINITY, on remembering to play
  We're delighted to have Kristin Elizabeth Clark here to chat about her latest novel JESS, CHUNK, AND THE ROAD TRIP TO INFINITY.

  Kristin, what was your inspiration for writing JESS, CHUNK, AND THE ROAD TRIP TO INFINITY?

  My inspiration for the book came from a road trip I took with my daughter in the early stages of her transition. We talked our way across the US about a lot of things. A conversation about bathrooms and safety and passing privilege really stuck with me. Well after the fact, something clicked and I wrote a scene that takes place near the middle of the book.

  What book or books would most resonate with readers who love your book--or visa versa?

  I’ve had readers tell me that the road trip aspect of the book, as well as the initial interactions between Jess and Chuck reminded them of John Green’s “An Abundance of Katherines”, which if you like John Green (as I do) is pretty flattering.

  How long did you work on JESS, CHUNK, AND THE ROAD TRIP TO INFINITY?

  That’s difficult to answer, because I had a couple of false starts, some depression, writer’s block malaise, and a garden-variety family crisis to deal with - all while I was supposed to be working on it. The time frame has become fuzzy to me.

  Jess and Chunk was the second book of a contract, and it was officially due in to my publisher just before FREAKBOY came out. That obviously didn’t happen. My editor (the AhMayzing Joy Peskin) was really great about it, insisting that I take the time I needed to write the next manuscript. There was a lot of upheaval in my life right around then, making it hard to focus but eventually I did. I outlined a plot and wrote a couple of chapters for a new project. The trouble is, I’m more of a pantser than a plotter and outlining in detail killed my enthusiasm for the story. I slunk back to Joy and told her I just couldn’t do it. I sent her a few pages of a new story, which she okayed and then I became creatively blocked. Before it happened to me, I had no idea how devastating a block could be. I think my identity had become wrapped up in being a writer and then when I couldn’t, I felt like such a loser. At any rate, I missed deadline after deadline and was super (and scarily) depressed. In fact it’s hard to suss out exactly if depression caused a block or if it was the result of one.

  Joy must have been a little concerned that she kept having to push back pub dates; after all, she had a schedule to keep. She was great, though, about giving me time and space, and reassuring me that my mental health was the most important thing. Finally, three things happened. 1.) After weeks and weeks of waking up in the morning and immediately trying to go back to sleep because unconsciousness had become my preferred state, I sought professional help. 2.) I started reading everything I could get my hands on about the neuroscience of creativity in an attempt to discover ways to trick my mind back into creating. Finally, I settled on a program of exercise, Qi Gong meditation, and playtime to kick off my day - and it worked 3.) I had a conversation with my daughter during which we reminisced about driving through Nebraska of all places. Something clicked, and I had the story I wanted to tell. (I always feel like I have to point out that while my daughter has inspired two of my books, they ARE works of fiction.)

  All of this is to say I worked on JESS, CHUNK, AND THE ROAD TRIP TO INFINITY anywhere between one to two and a half years.

  What advice would you most like to pass along to other writers?

  Remember to play. It’s crucial to your creativity.

• Shelf Awareness - http://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=2040#m20690

  Editors' Note
  ReaLITy Reads

  In this issue, with the support of Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Shelf Awareness focuses on ReaLITy Reads, Macmillan's campaign to shine a light on realistic literary fiction. The interviews are by Jennifer M. Brown.
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  Reality REads
  Books & Authors
  Real Books for Real Teens

  When Joy Peskin, editorial director of Farrar, Straus & Giroux Books for Young Readers, joined Macmillan Children's Publishing Group in February 2012, she met with Mark von Bargen, senior director of children's sales, to strategize: How could they sell more of the books that FSG is known for publishing--solid, contemporary literary fiction?

  Peskin, von Bargen and their colleagues decided to create an initiative along the lines of Macmillan's Fierce Reads campaign, to focus on mostly new and emerging authors of realistic literary fiction, and help them create a community so "a rising tide could lift all ships," as Peskin put it. Elizabeth Fithian, director of marketing at Macmillan, came up with the name: ReaLITy Reads.
  Joy Peskin

  With the motto "Real Books for Real Teens," the ReaLITy Reads campaign shines a light on the frontlist, with two emerging voices in young adult literature--Kristin Elizabeth Clark and her YA debut, Freakboy (October 22), and Clay Carmichael with Brother, Brother (July 30). The third is a proven success in YA: David Klass, co-author with his sister, pediatrician and journalist Perri Klass, making her YA debut with Second Impact (August 6).

  The campaign builds on a foundation of such contemporary literary lights of the backlist as Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson; Martine Leavitt's My Book of Life by Angel; When We Wuz Famous by Greg Takoudes; and James Preller's Before You Go. Peskin said that part of the challenge for those who work with teens is they have readers who love Speak and ask for other books in that vein. "It's not as easy as [recommending] genre books," Peskin said.

  ReaLITy Reads will be an ongoing campaign, encompassing all six Macmillan Children's Publishing Group imprints. Peskin says they're not "dead-set on contemporary"--the campaign might also feature books with historical settings. But the major requirement is that it be literary, realistic fiction. "We don't want this to be a Go Ask Alice, issue-driven book program," she said. "We want it to be literary, meaty reads."

  Freakboy and My Book of Life by Angel, written in free-verse; Second Impact, told through alternating blog posts; Brother, Brother, incorporating abundant dialogue; and Speak, with its blocks of text and one-sentence paragraphs, all give readers a lot of breathing room and generous white space on the pages. Asked if weightier themes are easier to digest this way, Peskin said she suspects it's coincidence; "I think each author comes to the style that's best for her to tell the story." She does suggest, "Less is more. You want to leave some space for the reader to draw her own conclusions." The formats will appeal to kids who don't necessarily think of themselves as readers. What all these books have in common is what Peskin calls "discussability."

  While not all teens may be personally affected by transgender issues (Freakboy), mysterious family ties (Brother, Brother) or head injuries brought on by contact sports (Second Impact), they will recognize many of the feelings here--figuring out where they belong, making tough decisions, finding one's voice. These books begin conversations on challenging topics that nearly all teens on the brink of adulthood face.

  The Macmillan Children's Publishing Group went with evocative covers that will draw in readers. It's a big step forward from the days when covers usually represented a literal scene from the book. "I try to think of the cover as a movie poster," Peskin says. "It has to do a lot to pull the reader in." She said with Second Impact, the cover idea was, "Come for the football, stay for the larger topics."

  Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak has sold three million copies since its publication nearly 15 years ago. "In my mind, that's what these books are likely to do," Peskin says. "If it can hit that sweet spot in the culture, it can grow and build over time."

  Many of these titles tackle tough topics, and they're word-of-mouth books. "Do you know people who've made a bad decision and gone down the wrong path? Probably. There's so much to pull out of that book," says Peskin, referring to My Book of Life by Angel, a chronicle of child prostitution. But that could easily apply to many of the books in this ReaLITy Reads grouping. As Peskin says, "If these things didn't happen in real life, we wouldn't have to write about them."
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  Macmillan Extra
  What Makes Your Book Real?

  This fall season, the creators of three realistic YA novels will premiere books ranging from discovering a sibling you never knew you had, to the lasting effects of sports injuries on the playing field, to finding one's place on the transgender spectrum. We posed the same question to each of these authors: "What makes your book real?"

  "A strong sense of place," says Clay Carmichael, author of Brother, Brother (Roaring Brook/Macmillan, $17.99, 9781596437432, July 30). "I'm a native North Carolinian, and though the places in the book are fictional, they're based on Piedmont, N.C., and coastal places. The characters are composites of people I've known. North Carolina has long been sharply divided about many issues, just as the country is today. In my novel, I explore these in microcosm, using the personal and political divides within Brother's family. Growing up, this was where I first experienced these divides most intensely."

  "Our characters are struggling with real dilemmas and real issues," explain the co-authors of Second Impact (FSG/Macmillan, $16.99, 9780374379964, August 6), David Klass, and his sister, the physician and journalist Perri Klass. "The question of head injury in sports, especially in football, is being debated at every level, from the NFL to Pop Warner. Our characters are smart and thoughtful and talented, but they are up against tough problems, without easy answers. He's a star high school quarterback; she's an articulate high school journalist. In our book, they ask real-life questions: What happens when the sport you love may damage you forever? What will you do to save a friend--even a friend who doesn't want to be saved? What happens to someone who tells an unpopular truth?"

  "The novel grew out of the experiences and questions of some very real individuals in my life," says author Kristin Elizabeth Clark of Freakboy (FSG/Macmillan, $18.99, 9780374324728, October 22). "I've been a child advocate, a children's theater producer and a volunteer with Outlet, an LGBTQ youth center. Many different kids dealing with many different issues confide in me. Three years ago, one of them came out to me as transgender. Together we looked for and found resources for her, and a community for her. During this journey, Freakboy took shape in my mind."

  photos: David Klass by Giselle Benatar; Perri Klass by Marion Ettlinger
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  RAINN
  Laurie Halse Anderson Speaks
  photo: Joyce Tenneson

  Few books have made the impact that Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak has made--on young adult literature and on young adults. Despite repeated efforts from conservative groups to ban the book (they've called it "soft porn" and "child pornography" for the narrator's frank discussion as a rape survivor) as recently as a week ago, Speak has sold more than three million copies since it was published in 1999. It was a National Book Award Finalist and a Michael L. Printz Honor Book. Here Anderson describes what reaching readers through her books has meant to her.

  I never expected to be me.

  I never expected to publish a book, much less 27 of them. I never dreamed that any of my books would be a bestseller, or translated, or used in classrooms, or turned into a movie. I am incredibly grateful that all of those wonderful things have happened, but they pale in comparison to the kindred spirits I've met.

  Since Speak was published in 1999, I've corresponded with and met tens of thousands of readers for whom Speak was a life-changing book. Most of these people were survivors of sexual assault, but what they all had in common was that something terrible had happened to them and they couldn't talk about it. That secret poisoned them. It often led to depression, anxiety and a host of dangerous self-medication methods: drugs, alcohol, cutting, eating disorders, promiscuity, and suicide attempts.

  My book gave them the courage to speak up. These readers saw themselves in Melinda. They walked in her footsteps and for the first time, found their voice. They wrote me letters and e-mail. They slipped notes into my hand when I visited their school. They walk up to me at book signings, tears puddling. After a quiet conversation, there is a lot of hugging. (This is why I always have a box of tissues next to the pens at my book signings!)

  It's bewildering that my book could make such an impact, but I'm so grateful that it has. The heart-felt connection forged with my readers has completely changed my life for the better. That's why I jumped at the chance to help RAINN (Rape Abuse & Incest National Network). I wanted to give back some of the love and courage that my readers have shared with me.

  When Melinda helps survivors speak, RAINN is there to listen. Their compassionate, trained volunteers save lives and spirits every hour of every day. In addition to their work with survivors, they provide fantastic data and information about sexual assault, and they are helping to shape public policy as we fight against rape culture and try to make our world safer.

  It was an honor to help RAINN's fundraising campaign in April. With the help of a $10,000 donation from Macmillan, we brought in $30,965 that directly benefitted survivors. The publicity about the campaign increased awareness about the help that RAINN offers and, in turn, led to more healing.

  When I was a teenager, I didn't have anyone who understood the battles I was fighting. Books kept me alive and more; they helped me find my path and my people. Now I try to write books that can help today's readers. Not everyone is as messed up as I was (thank goodness), so sometimes my books give teens insight into people or situations that they haven't experienced.

  We are all hungry for real stories to enlighten and connect us to each other. That's the role of literature in our lives: to bind our hearts together and to make us stronger.
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  Book Brahmin: Kristin Elizabeth Clark
  photo: Sonia Sones

  Kristin Elizabeth Clark lives and writes in northern California, where she has worked as a child advocate within the juvenile justice system and as a children's theater producer. She is a proud volunteer at Project Outlet in Mountain View, Calif. Her ReaLITy Reads novel is Freakboy.

  On your nightstand now:

  I'm kind of a book junkie in that I'm supremely uncomfortable unless there are several immediately available to me, so there are several books on my nightstand right now, and I'm reading them all. I have an ARC of Love in the Time of Global Warming by Francesca Lia Block, an ARC of Smoke by Ellen Hopkins, Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell, Playing with Fire by Bruce Hale, and I'm re-reading Anne of the Island by L.M. Montgomery.

  Favorite book when you were a child:

  It's really hard to choose, but the first that comes to mind is Watership Down by Richard Adams. I remember a pitched battle with a friend of mine over the pronunciation of Fiver, the protagonist's name. My friend rhymed it with river, while my pronunciation rhymed with jive-er. (Joe, if you're reading this, I'm still pretty sure I'm right. He got his name because he was the fifth rabbit born in the litter; it wouldn't make sense to call him Fivver!)

  Your top five authors:

  Again with the difficult choices! Hmmm--in no particular order: Laurie Halse Anderson, Roald Dahl, Ellen Hopkins, Elizabeth Peters and Jane Austen.

  Book you've faked reading:

  Swann's Way. I have a dear friend who is obsessed with Proust, and I tried for this friend's sake to read it, but never could quite manage it. Now when we go to literary cocktail parties, he gets to sound smart and I'm just the dork standing there smiling and nodding as if to say, "I agree completely with your eloquent points about Proust, so there's no need for me to chime in with my own."

  Book you are an evangelist for:

  Nova Ren Suma's Imaginary Girls. Her beautiful language gave me goose bumps, and the story itself completely sucked me in.

  Book you've bought for the cover:

  The Mysterious Benedict Society, written by Trenton Lee Stewart and illustrated by Carson Ellis. I saw the cover and somehow knew I had to read the book. It was a good decision.

  Book that changed your life:

  The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh. I love the exercises in practicing mindfulness in everyday life. There are times, even when good things are happening, that life gets too frenetic to enjoy. This book introduced me to the concept of mindfulness, which slows things down nicely for me.

  When I remember to practice it, that is.

  Favorite line from a book:

  "Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?"--Anne of Green Gables

  Book you most want to read again for the first time:

  Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. It had just come out, and I hadn't heard anything about it when I picked it up. It was such a treat to step into that world for the first time. I've gone back several times since, but it would be fun to experience the thrill of discovery again.

Clark, Kristin Elizabeth. Jess, Chunk, and the Road Trip to Infinity
Audrey Hopkins
39.5 (Dec. 2016): p57.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2016 E L Kurdyla Publishing LLC
http://www.voya.com
4Q * 4P * J * S * NA

Clark, Kristin Elizabeth. Jess, Chunk, and the Road Trip to Infinity. Farrar Straus Giroux/Macmillan, 2016. 272p. $17.99. 9780-374-38006-9.

Jess is an eighteen-year-old artist and soon-to-be college student; she is also a blossoming transgender teen who has been on hormones for seven months. Her father would not allow her to be on the recommended therapy sooner, calling her transition a "phase." Jess is on a road trip to crash her father's wedding, bringing along her best friend, Chuck, or "Chunk," for support, and to sort out her romantic feelings for him. Jess is redefining herself with a new style and persona for college, coming out to her father as a girl, riding out the awkward and unwanted phases of her transition, and concerned about the potential threat of physical harm as she travels cross-country. She seems self-absorbed and insensitive at times as she grapples with her life and future; however, as the narrative progresses, she slowly starts to see others as humans with their own struggles. For example, Chuck struggles with his weight, and being called Chunk, although not malicious in intent, has made him feel fat-shamed. It takes a lot before Jess gets this. She also begins to contemplate that her father may simply not know how to respond to her, rather than being transphobic.

This is a slice-of-life story about Jess's first year transitioning into the body she always knew she belonged in and the people in her life who go through their own trials of self-discovery. The characters seem real as they map uncharted territories in their lives. Clark makes an important contribution to LGBTQIA+ literature for young adults by writing a story that demonstrates the often-uneasy process of self-discovery, as well as the universality of the human experience. Teens who like road-trip stories will enjoy the fun details about the cross-country excursion, and teens who like trans* stories will enjoy the fact that this one is not about a trans teen figuring out she is, in fact, trans--Jess has already done that work and is moving on.--Audrey Hopkins.

Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Hopkins, Audrey. "Clark, Kristin Elizabeth. Jess, Chunk, and the Road Trip to Infinity." Voice of Youth Advocates, Dec. 2016, p. 57+. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA474767914&it=r&asid=e4633b26bcf856ff33b5f5ba32cf87b9. Accessed 12 June 2017.

Gale Document Number: GALE|A474767914

Jess, Chunk, and the Road Trip to Infinity
263.38 (Sept. 19, 2016): p70.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2016 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Jess, Chunk, and the Road Trip to Infinity

Kristin Elizabeth Clark. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, $17.99 (272p) ISBN 978-0-374-38006-9

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. (Nov.)

Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Jess, Chunk, and the Road Trip to Infinity." Publishers Weekly, 19 Sept. 2016, p. 70. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA464352797&it=r&asid=5e2cfb0b674546469d9e4a81e55fbbc2. Accessed 12 June 2017.

Gale Document Number: GALE|A464352797

Jess, Chunk, and the Road Trip to Infinity
Michael Cart
112.22 (Aug. 1, 2016): p63.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2016 American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist_publications/booklist/booklist.cfm
Jess, Chunk, and the Road Trip to Infinity. By Kristin Elizabeth Clark. Nov. 2016.272p. Farrar, $17.99 (9780374380069). Gr. 9-12.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

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 Jeremy--she's been taking hormones for seven months--hopes 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.--Michael Cart

Cart, Michael

Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Cart, Michael. "Jess, Chunk, and the Road Trip to Infinity." Booklist, 1 Aug. 2016, p. 63. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA460761808&it=r&asid=b5628f4ee615435d2da317004d0ba17e. Accessed 12 June 2017.

Gale Document Number: GALE|A460761808

I See Reality: Twelve Short Stories About Real Life
262.43 (Oct. 26, 2015): p78.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2015 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
I See Reality: Twelve Short Stories About Real Life

Jay Clark, Kristin Elizabeth Clark, Heather Demetrios, et al. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, $17.99 (304p) ISBN 978-0-374-30258-0

Aiming to shine a light on the virtues of stories about real teens living in the real world, this collection features 12 tales from writers including Trisha Leaver, Kekla Magoon, James Preller, and Marcella Pixley. It's a solid concept, but the sheer brevity of the entries--most are 25 pages or so--doesn't always give them a chance to shine and can reduce the characters to their situations, in stories about unexpected pregnancy, a domineering boyfriend, school shootings, and sexual identity. Amid the prose offerings are two illustrated entries: like his novels, Stephen Emond's "The Night of the Living Creeper" mixes sequences of text and artwork (and happens to be narrated by a cat); Faith Erin Hicks's untitled graphic short, set at an end-of-high-school pool party, captures the thrilling promise of new experiences, romantic and otherwise. Patrick Flores-Scott's "The Good Brother," about twins dealing with their immigration status, creates both a crisis situation and distinctive characters. While these stories can be a mixed bag, readers may well be enticed to seek out the contributors' longer work. Ages 14--up. (Jan.)

Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"I See Reality: Twelve Short Stories About Real Life." Publishers Weekly, 26 Oct. 2015, p. 78. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA443055126&it=r&asid=e7d0c6432238561275235ca846fc410d. Accessed 12 June 2017.

Gale Document Number: GALE|A443055126

Freakboy
261 (Spring 2014): p100.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2014 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Freakboy

Kristin Elizabeth Clark. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, $18.99 ISBN 978-0-37432472-8

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Debut novelist Clark uses free verse to write a gripping story about a complex topic: the challenges of growing up transgender or genderqueer. Brendan struggles with his occasional desires to be a girl; in her own series of poems, Brendan's devoted girlfriend, Vanessa, worries about why he is suddenly avoiding her. Meanwhile, transgendered Angel--whom Brendan meets near the teen center where Angel works--reveals her own painful journey; her intense story includes physical abuse and a hospital stay after being beaten up while working as a prostitute. Clark doesn't stray far from central theme (the back matter includes resources and further reading) as she empathically explores what it can be like to be a transgendered teen (for example, not every transitioning character considers sex-reassignment surgery to be important). The author emphasizes that there are no simple answers for her characters, especially Brendan, who wonders if the transgendered label even fits. At the same time, through Angel, she gives her story a current of hope: "Everyone feels like a freak/ until they make up their mind/ they're not." Ages 12-up.

Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Freakboy." Publishers Weekly, Spring 2014, p. 100+. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA375948954&it=r&asid=c9acb80317f6bc9515d0078492836a7d. Accessed 12 June 2017.

Gale Document Number: GALE|A375948954

Clark, Kristin Elizabeth. Freakboy
Alicia Abdul
36.5 (Dec. 2013): p54.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2013 E L Kurdyla Publishing LLC
http://www.voya.com
3Q * 4P * J * S

Clark, Kristin Elizabeth. Freakboy. Farrar Straus Giroux/Macmillan, 2013. 448p. $18.99. 978-0-374-32472-8.

Without too much melodrama, Freakhoy details Brendan's internal conflicts: is he or is he not? But the question is not easily answered, nor should it be. He is confident that he likes girls, but feels intermittent jealousy along with admiration and love for his girlfriend, Vanessa. So while he is not sexually attracted to boys, his body does not feel like a home either. But is dressing as a female the answer? Is an operation necessary? The questions get harder because of Brendan's lack of empathetic support, from a condescending wrestling coach to his distant parents. His new friend, Angel, has already experienced this depression about her own transgendered transformation and is providing quiet support to Brendan.

In Clark's debut novel, she tackles an intimidating subject where the verse format does not enhance the emotional connection between the three characters' perspectives and readers, but it does no damage, either. Clark successfully shares the characters' journeys by not providing the answers, instead allowing an intimate and honest portrayal of their confusion. An audience for this book exists: one waiting for a voice for their own thoughts or helping bridge a gap for others. Likewise, it is recommended to readers who enjoy a good verse novel, especially told from multiple perspectives. Teachers and librarians should add it to booklists on bullying and sexuality.--Alicia Abdul.

Abdul, Alicia

Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Abdul, Alicia. "Clark, Kristin Elizabeth. Freakboy." Voice of Youth Advocates, Dec. 2013, p. 54. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA353516740&it=r&asid=33127784130e9809dd8b29c607de2956. Accessed 12 June 2017.

Gale Document Number: GALE|A353516740

Freakboy
Sian Gaetano
89.6 (November-December 2013): p88.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2013 The Horn Book, Inc.. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Sources, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.hbook.com/magazine/default.asp
Freakboy

by Kristin Elizabeth Clark

High School Farrar 433 pp.

10/13 978-0-374-32472-8 $18.99 g

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Brendan, an upper-middle-class high-school wrestler, is confused and ashamed. He loves his girlfriend, I Vanessa, but is afraid of how he relates to women--he likes girls "too much, / and not in / the same / way / everyone / else / does." He is disgusted by his own body, which, with its short hair and lack of hips, feels wrong. Angel, on the other hand, loves herself unapologetically. Now college-aged, Angel was thrown out of her home, mocked and abused by her father, and beaten by a sadistic john. A chance meeting brings Brendan and Angel together and, with Vanessa, their stories wind together in three-part verse-harmony. Each individual has a unique personality all his or her own. Angel, a transgender woman, is resilient and compassionate. While she acts as the moral compass of the book, she is not the gender-ambiguous "angel" her name implies--her character is never preachy or hyperbolic. Clark portrays the delicate inner life of Vanessa with aching clarity. And the depiction of Brendan's emotional state--his confusion, fear, disgust, and feeling of "wrongness"--is vivid and painful. A sincere, profound rendering of sexuality, queerness, and identity.

Gaetano, Sian

Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Gaetano, Sian. "Freakboy." The Horn Book Magazine, Nov.-Dec. 2013, p. 88+. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA351081292&it=r&asid=f44a3822452d147151f17de3d613dfd9. Accessed 12 June 2017.

Gale Document Number: GALE|A351081292

Freakboy
Ann Kelley
110.4 (Oct. 15, 2013): p58.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2013 American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist_publications/booklist/booklist.cfm
* Freakboy.

By Kristin Elizabeth Clark.

Oct. 2013. 448p. Farrar, $18.99 (9780374324728). Gr. 9-12.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

When Brendan Chase types "Want to be a girl" into his Mac's search engine, one word pops up: transsexual. In Clark's raw, honest debut novel, told in verse, three voices capture a few experiences of teens on the transgender spectrum. Brendan is "not one of those people / who's always wanted to wear a dress. / Who's always known / he should have been born female." Sex with girlfriend Vanessa, although confusing, feels good, and Brendan questions throughout whether or not he's trans. Fortunately, there's an angel in his life--literally. Angel, trans without sex-reassignment surgery ("My junk doesn't dictate who I am"), fights against demons of her own and struggles to reconnect with her younger brother. She's a volunteer at Willows, a center for queer teens, and eventually introduces Brendan to terms like gender identity, gender attraction, genderqueer, and gender fluid. Meanwhile, the third voice belongs to Vanessa, a girl on the boy's wrestling team, who can't understand why her boyfriend, Brendan, is suddenly so distant. Unlike many novels that deal with one transgender character, this movingly explores so many gender identities, from the three main characters (each appears in a different font) to Angel's roommates. A must-have for library shelves, this will be popular with fans of Ellen Hopkins. Resources and further reading conclude.--Ann Kelley

Kelley, Ann

Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Kelley, Ann. "Freakboy." Booklist, 15 Oct. 2013, p. 58. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA350062909&it=r&asid=e463df58afedb1b7815054ade0f46470. Accessed 12 June 2017.

Gale Document Number: GALE|A350062909

Freakboy
260.37 (Sept. 16, 2013): p57.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2013 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
* Freakboy

Kristin Elizabeth Clark. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, $18.99 (448p) ISBN 978-0-374-32472-8

Debut novelist Clark uses free verse to write a gripping story about a complex topic: the challenges of growing up transgender or genderqueer. Brendan struggles with his occasional desires to be a girl; in her own series of poems, Brendan's devoted girlfriend, Vanessa, worries about why he is suddenly avoiding her. Meanwhile, transgendered Angel--whom Brendan meets near the teen center where Angel works--reveals her own painful journey; her intense story includes physical abuse and a hospital stay after being beaten up while working as a prostitute. Clark doesn't stray far from central theme (the back matter includes resources and further reading) as she empathically explores what it can be like to be a transgendered teen (for example, not every transitioning character considers sex-reassignment surgery to be important). The author emphasizes that there are no simple answers for her characters, especially Brendan, who wonders if the transgendered label even fits. At the same time, through Angel, she gives her story a current of hope: "Everyone feels like a freak/until they make up their mind/they're not." Ages 12-up. Agent: Tracey Adams. Adams Literary. (Oct.)

Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Freakboy." Publishers Weekly, 16 Sept. 2013, p. 57. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA343531583&it=r&asid=69f11d379485aebf8c5eca34f65a9c16. Accessed 12 June 2017.

Gale Document Number: GALE|A343531583

Clark, Kristin Elizabeth: FREAKBOY
(Sept. 15, 2013):
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2013 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Clark, Kristin Elizabeth FREAKBOY Farrar, Straus and Giroux (Children's Fiction) $18.99 10, 22 ISBN: 978-0-374-32472-8

A must-buy that showcases three teen voices in free verse as they experience just a few of the myriad ways people experience gender nonconformity. Brendan is a reluctant wrestler and a dutiful boyfriend. His social life is a minefield, his athlete friends casual with their homophobia. One dreadful day, the wrestling team all dresses as cheerleaders, just a joke--for everyone else. Vanessa is Brendan's girlfriend, a wrestler herself. The only girl on the boys' team, Vanessa defends herself against homophobia at school and a family who tell her, "No boy wants a rough girl." Her love for Brendan is a signpost that she's normal. Angel is an indomitable community college student who's seen her share of the crap life throws at queer kids: beaten and rejected by her father, almost killed by a john. She works at the Willows Teen LGBTQ Center, helping other teens, says she's "blessed to like me / the way I am," and is unbent even by the vandalism Brendan commits in a fit of internalized transphobia. In alternating and distinct sections, these three young adults navigate love, family and society. Angel's position at the LGBTQ center provides narrative justification for the occasional infodump. There are no simple answers, readers learn, but there will always be victories and good people. Though the verse doesn't always shine, it's varied, with concrete poems and duets keeping the voices lively. This gutsy, tripartite poem explores a wider variety of identities--cis-, trans-, genderqueer--than a simple transgender storyline, making it stand out. (Fiction. 12-17)

Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Clark, Kristin Elizabeth: FREAKBOY." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Sept. 2013. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA342657716&it=r&asid=e0246cf39de096f49703854c4ae4c0a3. Accessed 12 June 2017.

Gale Document Number: GALE|A342657716

Freakboy
(Annual 2013): p100.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2013 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Freakboy

Kristin Elizabeth Clark. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, $18.99 ISBN 978-0-374-32472-8

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Debut novelist Clark uses free verse to write a gripping story about a complex topic: the challenges of growing up transgender or genderqueer. Brendan struggles with his occasional desires to be a girl; in her own series of poems, Brendan's devoted girlfriend, Vanessa, worries about why he is suddenly avoiding her. Meanwhile, transgendered Angel--whom Brendan meets near the teen center where Angel works--reveals her own painful journey; her intense story includes physical abuse and a hospital stay after being beaten up while working as a prostitute.

Clark doesn't stray far from central theme (the back matter includes resources and further reading) as she empathically explores what it can be like to be a transgendered teen (for example, not every transitioning character considers sex-reassignment surgery to be important). The author emphasizes that there are no simple answers for her characters, especially Brendan, who wonders if the transgendered label even fits. At the same time, through Angel, she gives her story a current of hope: "Everyone feels like a freak/ until they make up their mind/they're not." Ages 12--up.

Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Freakboy." Publishers Weekly, Annual 2013, p. 100+. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA351612402&it=r&asid=70a03253683509752c72b76459c016c7. Accessed 12 June 2017.

Gale Document Number: GALE|A351612402

Clark, Kristin Elizabeth. Jess, Chunk, and the Road Trip to Infinity
Amanda MacGregor
62.9 (Sept. 2016): p154.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2016 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
CLARK, Kristin Elizabeth. Jess, Chunk, and the Road Trip to Infinity. 272p. ebook available. Farrar. Nov. 2016. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780374380069.

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

Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
MacGregor, Amanda. "Clark, Kristin Elizabeth. Jess, Chunk, and the Road Trip to Infinity." School Library Journal, Sept. 2016, p. 154+. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA462899779&it=r&asid=14963e9515ae86fbbd772f7dbe72d922. Accessed 12 June 2017.

Gale Document Number: GALE|A462899779

Clark, Kristin Elizabeth. Freakboy
Teresa Pfeifer
59.10 (Oct. 2013): p118.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2013 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
CLARK, Kristin Elizabeth. Freakboy. 448p. further reading, websites. Farrar. Oct. 2013. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-0-374-32472-8.

Gr 9 Up--Brandon, a high school wrestler, must face the fact that despite his best efforts he isn't as hyper-masculine as he feels he needs to be. Acceptance of his gender fluidity will prove to be his greatest challenge. Brandon's stepfather, a symphony conductor, appears to need regular validation of his manliness, and his mother undergoes breast enhancement surgery to appear, presumably, more womanly. Vanessa, Brandon's girlfriend, is also a wrestler; she feels she can only have a true win on the mat once her opponent lets go of the thought that she's a girl. When he's not aggressive enough in the ring, Brandon's coach calls him Brenda. Eventually, he meets Angel, an attractive young woman whose birth certificate reads "male." Angel--empowered, self-loving, and equipped to help others--can support Brandon to be at home in his body and in his craving for feminine expression. This book is a strong addition to LBGT and general collections as a compelling story for reluctant readers and an educational piece on a topic that needs discussion. The use of typography for emphasis is occasionally awkward and self-conscious, but overall this novel-inverse presents a clear, realistic narrative in various voices. It succeeds in conveying the message that "you are not alone" to transgender youth while helping everyone else get a handle on these often-tortured teens. The author succeeds in her mission to foster "greater understanding and acceptance of gender's vast and lovely variation."--Teresa Pfeifer, The Springfield Renaissance School, Springfield, MA

Pfeifer, Teresa

Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Pfeifer, Teresa. "Clark, Kristin Elizabeth. Freakboy." School Library Journal, Oct. 2013, p. 118+. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA344498832&it=r&asid=bcc2d4695c669b5f2b4825b5729da4c2. Accessed 12 June 2017.

Gale Document Number: GALE|A344498832

Hopkins, Audrey. "Clark, Kristin Elizabeth. Jess, Chunk, and the Road Trip to Infinity." Voice of Youth Advocates, Dec. 2016, p. 57+. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA474767914&asid=e4633b26bcf856ff33b5f5ba32cf87b9. Accessed 12 June 2017. "Jess, Chunk, and the Road Trip to Infinity." Publishers Weekly, 19 Sept. 2016, p. 70. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA464352797&asid=5e2cfb0b674546469d9e4a81e55fbbc2. Accessed 12 June 2017. Cart, Michael. "Jess, Chunk, and the Road Trip to Infinity." Booklist, 1 Aug. 2016, p. 63. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA460761808&asid=b5628f4ee615435d2da317004d0ba17e. Accessed 12 June 2017. "I See Reality: Twelve Short Stories About Real Life." Publishers Weekly, 26 Oct. 2015, p. 78. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA443055126&asid=e7d0c6432238561275235ca846fc410d. Accessed 12 June 2017. "Freakboy." Publishers Weekly, Spring 2014, p. 100+. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA375948954&asid=c9acb80317f6bc9515d0078492836a7d. Accessed 12 June 2017. Abdul, Alicia. "Clark, Kristin Elizabeth. Freakboy." Voice of Youth Advocates, Dec. 2013, p. 54. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA353516740&asid=33127784130e9809dd8b29c607de2956. Accessed 12 June 2017. Gaetano, Sian. "Freakboy." The Horn Book Magazine, Nov.-Dec. 2013, p. 88+. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA351081292&asid=f44a3822452d147151f17de3d613dfd9. Accessed 12 June 2017. Kelley, Ann. "Freakboy." Booklist, 15 Oct. 2013, p. 58. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA350062909&asid=e463df58afedb1b7815054ade0f46470. Accessed 12 June 2017. "Freakboy." Publishers Weekly, 16 Sept. 2013, p. 57. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA343531583&asid=69f11d379485aebf8c5eca34f65a9c16. Accessed 12 June 2017. "Clark, Kristin Elizabeth: FREAKBOY." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Sept. 2013. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA342657716&asid=e0246cf39de096f49703854c4ae4c0a3. Accessed 12 June 2017. "Freakboy." Publishers Weekly, Annual 2013, p. 100+. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA351612402&asid=70a03253683509752c72b76459c016c7. Accessed 12 June 2017. MacGregor, Amanda. "Clark, Kristin Elizabeth. Jess, Chunk, and the Road Trip to Infinity." School Library Journal, Sept. 2016, p. 154+. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA462899779&asid=14963e9515ae86fbbd772f7dbe72d922. Accessed 12 June 2017. Pfeifer, Teresa. "Clark, Kristin Elizabeth. Freakboy." School Library Journal, Oct. 2013, p. 118+. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA344498832&asid=bcc2d4695c669b5f2b4825b5729da4c2. Accessed 12 June 2017.

• cuddle buggery
  http://cuddlebuggery.com/blog/2013/10/12/review-freakboy-by-kristin-elizabeth-clark/
  Word count: 677

  Review: Freakboy by Kristin Elizabeth Clark

  12 October, 2013 Kat Kennedy Reviews 11 comments

  I received this book for free from Borrowed in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
  Review: Freakboy by Kristin Elizabeth ClarkFreakboy by Kristin Elizabeth Clark
  Series: Standalone
  Published by Farrar, Straus, and Giroux for Young Readers on 22nd October 2013
  Pages: 448
  Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
  Format: ARC
  Source: Borrowed
  Amazon・ Good Books・Book Depository
  Goodreads
  four-stars

  From the outside, Brendan Chase seems to have it pretty easy. He’s a star wrestler, a video game aficionado, and a loving boyfriend to his seemingly perfect match, Vanessa. But on the inside, Brendan struggles to understand why his body feels so wrong—why he sometimes fantasizes having long hair, soft skin, and gentle curves. Is there even a name for guys like him? Guys who sometimes want to be girls? Or is Brendan just a freak?

  In Freakboy's razor-sharp verse, Kristin Clark folds three narratives into one powerful story: Brendan trying to understand his sexual identity, Vanessa fighting to keep her and Brendan’s relationship alive, and Angel struggling to confront her demons.

  My situation with Freakboy was pretty dire. Since I am pretty sensitive these days to issues of equality, I had already decided that a book about a gender fluid person had better be damn good or I was going to go berserker on its ass. I already had a GIF lined up, too! The perfect GIF! And unless this book treated the topic beautifully and with a great deal of love, I was ready to whip it out and beat the book with it.

  I’m sure most other bloggers can sympathize with the delight beheld in finding the perfect GIF for how you feel.

  Unfortunately, Kristin Elizabeth Clark cheated me from being able to use this GIF. I loved Freakboy. Loved it with a passion. The heart strings were tugged at, I held back what I suspected might be tears (we refer to them as leaking feels around here), and I was gripped with the story and characters. What you can be sure of was this. I loved Brendan. I wanted to brush Brendan’s hair, I wanted to hug Brendan, I wanted to beat Brendan’s bullies with a steel bar until they pissed themselves and begged for mercy.

  But I admit that Freakboy and I had a bumpy beginning and rough start. Freakboy is written in this T.S. Elliot prose that screamed pretentious to me. Sometimes words would be crafted in this visually poignant style, designed to enshroud their meaning with greater flair and emotional impact. All this literary ambition was earnestly lost on me. I farted, picked my nose and continued to read the book. Less appreciating its artistic flair as looking past and enjoying the novel despite it.

  I am nothing if not a sophisticated, emotionally sensitive human being.

  Vanessa’s situation was heartbreaking and Angel was so awesome that I wanted to be her best friend forever and ever and ever.

  My only issue was with the ending, but I can’t discuss that without spoiling it. Damn you, society’s issues with narrative spoiling! Brendan! Brendan, my darling! Let me hold you!

  I will say this, though. This is a big, amazing world with more than seven billion people in it. No matter how different you think you are, I swear to the flying spahetti monster, that you are a great kind of different and that there is probably several people who think your difference is great. My partner is intensely attracted to the way I yell at World of Warcraft nemeses. Also my weird sexual proclivities.

  YOU ARE ALL BEAUTIFUL HUMAN BEINGS AND I LOVE YOU! Unless you’re Hitler. I don’t love Hitler.

• artsandyouthlove
  https://artsandyouthlove.wordpress.com/2014/09/15/book-review-freakboy-by-kristen-elizabeth-clark/
  Word count: 488

  Book Review: Freakboy by Kristin Elizabeth Clark

  with one comment

  Freakboy by Kristin Elizabeth Clarke

  Source: Goodreads

  Plot Summary (Taken from Amazon): From the outside, Brendan Chase seems to have it pretty easy. He’s a star wrestler, a video game aficionado, and a loving boyfriend to his seemingly perfect match, Vanessa. But on the inside, Brendan struggles to understand why his body feels so wrong—why he sometimes fantasizes having long hair, soft skin, and gentle curves. Is there even a name for guys like him? Guys who sometimes want to be girls? Or is Brendan just a freak?

  In Freakboy‘s razor-sharp verse, Kristin Clark folds three narratives into one powerful story: Brendan trying to understand his sexual identity, Vanessa fighting to keep her and Brendan’s relationship alive, and Angel struggling to confront her demons.

  My Review: One of the best aspects of this book is the characters. Brendan’s struggle to understand his sexual identity is realistic and raw. Also, the fact that he is also a great big brother to his little sister, put down by his wrestling coach, and doesn’t get along with his stepfather makes him even more sympathetic.

  Meanwhile, Angel’s character shows what its like for transgender people who love and accept themselves, but still struggle with their past and everyday prejudice. Like Brendan, her point of view is raw and she has qualities that make her sympathetic. She is caring and motherly to her loved ones.

  Finally, Vanessa is a character that urges the reader to discuss gender norms and how they relate to gender identity. Even though she is straight, she is still called a “dyke” because she is the only girl on the wrestling team. Anyone who doesn’t fit the standard for what it means to be male or female can relate to her.

  Besides the characters, the author does a great job writing three points-of-view in verse. She uses different poetry styles and creates powerful metaphors in order to convey thoughts and emotions. In addition, the way certain words and poems are structured is very creative.

  The only criticism I have of the book is its ending, particularly with Brendan’s point-of-view. The end of Brendan’s story felt too ambiguous. While it is understandable that his story doesn’t have an easy outcome, the author could have shown that it is possible for Brendan to have a good future.

  Overall, this book was a poignant glimpse into the lives of gender queer and transgender people and how gender norms affect everyone. I recommend it to everyone who doesn’t fit gender norms. I also recommend it to anyone who works with transgender and gender queer youth and anyone who has enjoyed the work of YA author Ellen Hopkins.

• waking brain cells
  https://wakingbraincells.com/2016/11/30/jess-chunk-and-the-road-trip-to-infinity-by-kristin-elizabeth-clark/
  Word count: 476

  Jess, Chunk and the Road Trip to Infinity by Kristin Elizabeth Clark

  jess-chunk-and-the-road-trip-to-infinity-by-kristin-elizabeth-clark

  Jess, Chunk and the Road Trip to Infinity by Kristin Elizabeth Clark (InfoSoup)

  Jess hasn’t spoken with her father for years, ever since he refused to support her in getting the hormones she needed to start to transition from the male body she was born in. Now her father is getting married to her mother’s ex-best friend halfway across the country in Chicago and Jess decides to attend the wedding and confront her father. It’s going to be a surprise for her father, since she had already responded rather negatively to the RSVP in the invitation. Happily, Jess’ best friend Chunk has both a car and time, so the two of them make the road trip together. As the trip unwinds, they visit roadside attractions, pick up a passenger, and discover things about themselves, their friendship and one another.

  This book joins many others this year in providing strong transgender characters in teen novels. Clark does a great job of showing how safety is a huge concern for people who are transgender, particularly in more conservative parts of the country. She also shows what a long-standing friendship looks like as it leaves high school and heads into the future. There is little angst about the future here in terms of college or school, and more of a focus on the approaching wedding and Jess’ feelings.

  Happily, Jess as a character is far from perfect. She is often self-absorbed and lacks interest in others, particularly her best friend. Readers will be shocked at times by how internally focused she is and will cheer when her best friend finally stands up to her. Jess also ignores how she makes other people feel, like the nickname bullies gave Chunk that she continues to use.

  However, even as I understand that the nickname and Jess’ behavior is both condemned and indicative of a complicated look at a character, I do have issues with how larger people are viewed in the book and how much emphasis is placed on how people look. There is a focus on hair and clothes that is near obsessive. But it’s the fat shaming that is problematic, particularly when it’s in the title itself. The fat shaming happens both for Chuck, the best friend, and for others throughout the book. People are referred to by their size, their looks and then their personality comes later.

  A complex look at friendship, being transgender, self esteem and acceptance, this book tackles a lot of issues and fails to handle a major one with enough grace and attention. Appropriate for ages 13-17.

  Reviewed from e-galley received from Edelweiss and Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

• glbt reviews
  http://www.glbtrt.ala.org/reviews/book-review-jess-chunk-and-the-road-trip-to-infinity-by-kristin-elizabeth-clark/
  Word count: 391

  Book review: Jess, Chunk, and the Road Trip to Infinity, by Kristin Elizabeth Clark

  Clark Jess ChunkClark, Kristin Elizabeth. Jess, Chunk, and the Road Trip to Infinity. Farrar, Straus and Giroux BYR. 2016. $17.99. 272p. HC. 9780374380069.

  Jess’s father is getting married in Chicago, and at the last minute Jess decides to drive across the country with her best friend Chuck to be at the wedding. The only thing is, Jess’s father thinks she’s not coming. Also, her father thinks Jess is a boy, not a girl.

  This was an unusual story involving a trans* character, in that the book wasn’t focused on the trans* character realizing she was trans* or beginning her transition. Jess was already out to the important people in her life – her mom, her dad, her best friend – and she had graduated from high school and was in the process of transitioning so she could begin college as a girl. The story, instead, is about Jess coming to terms with her parents’ divorce, her father’s remarriage, and the fact that maybe, just maybe, she might have feelings for her best friend.

  It is refreshing to find a book that features a trans* character and is about things other than her transition. Also, having driven the I-80 route from the Bay Area to Chicago three times already, I can attest that the author got the details perfect, from the stop in Elko, NV, to the random tree installation in the middle of Utah to the fake fort in North Platte, NE. The characters are made more real by their imperfections; Jess is *a little* self-centered and Chuck calls her on it; he is bothered that she doesn’t even think to ask him about his life, his other friends, and what he may be struggling with (like the nickname she gives him which he really, truly does not appreciate). Jess makes more than a few fat-shaming comments throughout the story, but again, Chuck calls her out on it and she starts to realize what she’s done.

  This book will easily appeal to teen fans of road-trip stories and would be an excellent addition to a public library’s teen collection.

  Reviewer: Jenni Frencham
  Youth Services Director, Columbus (WI) Public Library

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