Morris YA Debut Award FinalistĮntertainment Weekly Best YA Book of 2016 * Children's Book Council Books Best Book of 2016 * Kirkus Reviews Best Teen Coming-of-Age Novel of 2016 and Best Teen Book of 2016 with Unforgettable Protagonists * Publishers Weekly Fall 2016 Flying Starts * William C. Pen and her friends use their share of problematic language, which is all too authentic, no matter how much it makes me cringe (I personally can’t stand a certain ‘insult’ that equates vaginas with weakness). Girard's Girl Mans Up is perfect for fans of Meredith Russo, Becky Albertalli, Alex Sanchez, and Jaye Robin Brown!Įntertainment Weekly Best YA Book of 2016 * Children's Book Council Books Best Book of 2016 * Kirkus Reviews Best Teen Coming-of-Age Novel of 2016 and Best Teen Book of 2016 with Unforgettable Protagonists * Publishers Weekly Fall 2016 Flying Starts * William C. Girard’s characters are painfully, realistically flawed.

Old-world parents, disintegrating friendships, and strong feelings for other girls drive Pen to see the truth-that in order to be who she truly wants to be, she'll have to man up. If she takes orders and does what her friend Colby wants, it will show her loyalty.īut respect and loyalty, Pen discovers, are empty words. If she dresses like a girl, and does what her folks want, it will show respect. Old-world parents, disintegrating friendships, and strong feelings for other girls drive Pen to see the truth-that in order to be who she truly. They think the way she looks and acts means she's trying to be a boy-that she should quit trying to be something she's not.

They think the way she looks and acts means she's trying to be a boy-that she should quit trying to be something she's not. All Pen wants is to be the kind of girl she's always been. So why does everyone have a problem with it? M-E Girard’s debut, Girl Mans Up, won the Lambda Literary Award and was a finalist for the William C. It was also a finalist for the Young Adult Library Services. Lambda Literary Award Winner! 'Pen is an inspiration to anyone who's struggled to be understood, and a vital addition to the growing world of genderqueer protagonists.' -New York Times Book ReviewĪll Pen wants is to be the kind of girl she's always been. It won the Lambda Literary Award for LGBT Children's/Young Adult literature in 2017.

Girl Mans Up by M.E. Girard