Reviewed by Tidal
TITLE: The Sun Seekers
AUTHOR: Emery C. Walters
PUBLISHER: Queerteen Press
LENGTH: 56 pages
BLURB:
Whit is different. Not only is she an outcast at school, but she has an alter ego, Dusty, who embodies the transgender side of who Whit really is inside.
She finds an unlikely companion in Danny, also an outcast, who comes out to Whit as gay. However, there seems to be something more than friendship brewing between the two.
Their art teacher Mr. Jay tries to help them come to terms with who they both are, but will their relationship be able to overcome the hurdles created by being themselves while at school? Everyone is looking for a place under the sun, but can Whit and Danny find their own sunshine amidst the coming storms?
REVIEW:
This is a remarkable story. Transgender issues are certainly a current topic and we’re starting to see stories that reflect that. But that is not what makes The Sun Seekers so impressive. It’s the quality, depth, and authenticity of emotion that makes this work so special. In years past, there have not been as many transgender titles to choose from and sometimes that lack of choice has allowed for a slide in quality. That is not the case here.
Several characters leave a permanent impression. Danny and Whit go to the same school. They are questioning their place in the world and are struggling to come to terms with who they are. Danny is gay, and Whit has a girl’s body but is clear on the fact that inside he is a boy. Watching the young people come to terms with their sexuality and gender identity is very touching because the author does a brilliant job of capturing what those feeling might be like for a teenager. When the school is rocked by a tragedy, the event brings several amazing people together to touch one another’s lives, leaving them forever changed.
Lastly, what makes this book worth your time is this, it is honest, and it does not tie up the whole story in a neat package at the end. Sometimes life is not tied up in a neat package with all our questions answered. Not many books have made me weep – not from sadness but from being touched by humanity, love and knowing my spirit has been warmed. This is not a sad book but one of hope and joy.
RATING: 
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