Beautiful Music for Ugly Children
FlumeAward – Beautiful Music for Ugly Children Beautiful Music for Ugly Children by Kirstin Cronn-Mills
Cronn-Mills, Kirstin. Beautiful Music for Ugly Children. Woodbury, Minnesota: Flux, 2012.
Gabe, a female-born transdude, starts to express his male self. First he comes out to a few people close by, he gets a job as Gabe, starts a radio program, and applies for a guest space on a happening radio station. As he lets go of his birth name and identity, Liz, and embraces Gabe he deals with the reactions of those around him, some good, some bad, some slow and some immediately accepting. Best YA trans book I have read. I read this after a transguy recommended it to me. ~ Flesher, Nashua South
Just finished this one this afternoon. I have to say, it was extremely well done, and I agree with the above comment that it’s one of the best of its genre. I’ve read several that were good, but this main character, Gabe, has a wonderfully clear and authentic voice. I loved Gabe’s obsession with old music and his passion for the dying art of DJ-ing and radio. His support system is spare, but those whom he loves are nearly unshakable in their devotion and love for him when he faces bigotry and physical harm. His radio fan following had me cheering for him as he received affirmation for being just who he is. The book is not without its faults, but its importance outweighs any flaws. I think it would be a great addition to the final list, and we’d be in good company putting it there as it just won the Stonewall Mike Morgan and Larry Romans Children’s and Young Adult Literature Award for 2014.
Lisa Houde
Rye Public Library