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The Beautiful Something Else

Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available
Full of humor and heartbreak, this story about a nonbinary character navigating a binary world is perfect for fans of Alex Gino and Kyle Lukoff.

It's exhausting trying to be the perfect daughter. Still, getting good grades without making any waves may be the only way to distract from the fact that Sparrow Malone's mother is on the verge of falling apart. Which means no getting upset. No being weird. No standing out for the wrong reasons.

But when Mom's attempts to cope spiral out of control, Sparrow is sent to live with Aunt Mags on a sprawling estate full of interesting, colorful new neighbors. And for the first time, trying to fit in doesn't feel right anymore. Even Sparrow's shadow has stopped following the rules.

As Shadow nudges Sparrow to try all the scary, exciting things Mom has always forbidden, Sparrow begins to realize something life-changing: They don't feel like a girl. Or a boy. And while this discovery is exciting, now Sparrow must decide whether to tell everyone-their new family and friends, not-so-secret crush, and, most importantly, their mom-the truth, especially if it means things change forever.

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    • Publisher's Weekly

      April 3, 2023
      Twelve-year-old Sparrow Malone moves often with their substance-reliant mother, whose “anxious perfectionism and... messy personal life go together like Cheetos and milk.” To make excellent impressions and telegraph a healthy parent-child relationship wherever they go, Sparrow follows the same rules, alternating between “supportive Mom-Sparrow and shape-shifting school-Sparrow” even as they clash with their mom over clothing choices. When Sparrow’s mom overdoses and gets into a car accident, she’s sent to rehab while Sparrow stays nearby with estranged relatives—including Sparrow’s transgender aunt Mags, whose identity Sparrow initially mistakes due to their mom’s deadnaming and misgendering of her sister—on the grounds of the rambling inherited mansion that Mags has transformed into an inclusive communal refuge. Sparrow’s life changes dramatically in the weeks that follow, as they more thoroughly explore their gender identity and encounter a strange animate shadow. Through the protagonist’s contemplative first-person observations and interstitial essays, Van Otterloo (A Touch of Ruckus) creates a character-driven novel that touches on navigating generational trauma, personal growth, and queer identity in circumstances both dire and abundantly safe. Sparrow and their family are white; secondary characters are intersectionally diverse. Reader resources conclude. Ages 8–12. Agent: Lauren Spieller, Triada US.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

Languages

  • English

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