Alyssa Brugman crafts narratives that delve into the complexities of adolescence and the search for self. Her work often explores the intricate dynamics of relationships and the societal pressures faced by young people. Brugman's writing is characterized by its sincerity and empathy, offering readers a window into the inner lives of her characters. She has a talent for capturing authentic experiences and reflecting the realities of growing up.
But last night at dinner, Alex made an announcement, three words that would change everything: I'm a girl. And when Alex sets about changing her life - her wardrobe, her school, her entire identity - no one knows how to react, least of all her parents.
Bindy, aged 15, has known her best friend Janie since they were babies and they've been inseparable ever since. But now the unthinkable has happened - Janie's attaching herself to a different crowd at school and she's acting as if she doesn't want to know Bindy any more. The new crowd is loud, bitchy, interested in boys and clothes, rebellious, daring. All the things Bindy isn't. Added to which, things aren't great at home. Bindy's mother who left the family years ago is now trying to forge a closer relationship with her children. Bindy's brother doesn't want to know - which leaves Bindy stuck in the middle. And Bindy's dad has started dating Janie's mum. This is a book about being yourself, even if other people think you should be someone different. It's also about how to renegotiate the relationships around you when circumstances change.
After being in detention with a girl called "The Freak," Megan finds herself torn between the developing friendship the two share and her involvement with a popular clique.