Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
28th out of 52 books
—
87 voters
Happy Families
by
Tanita S. Davis (Goodreads Author)
Teenage twins Ysabel and Justin Nicholas are lucky. Ysabel's jewelry designs have already caught the eyes of the art world and Justin's intelligence and drive are sure to gain him entrance into the most prestigious of colleges. They even like their parents. But their father has a secret—one that threatens to destroy the twins' happy family and life as they know it.
Over the...more
Over the...more
Hardcover, 240 pages
Published
May 8th 2012
by Knopf Books for Young Readers
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
417)
Told from the alternating first person points of view of twin teenagers, this novel unfolds as a family tries to cope with the knowledge that the father is and has been for a long, long time a cross-dresser.
While much thought has been given to the information in the story, the writing itself is pedestrian at best. Though the twins deal with the shock in different ways, their voices are virtually the same. I often forgot which of the two characters was telling the story.
Their parents make incre...more
While much thought has been given to the information in the story, the writing itself is pedestrian at best. Though the twins deal with the shock in different ways, their voices are virtually the same. I often forgot which of the two characters was telling the story.
Their parents make incre...more
Gr 9 Up-Twins Ysabel and Justin Nicholas seem to have it all. She is a talented artist, he a star debater as a freshman. But when Justin sees a woman at his debate event who looks just like their father, their happy life comes to an abrupt end. Their dad is transgender; he feels complete only when living as a woman, and the teens don't know how to deal with it. He leaves, and their mother becomes a shell of her former self.Å Feeling that their entire lives have been a lie, Justin and Ysabel are...more
The Goddess Test is the debut novel for author Aimee Carter. For those who like Greek Mythology and/or a not cheesy love story, you will enjoy this book!
Kate’s mother has cancer and despite all the doctors best efforts they have run out of options. So, to fulfill he mothers dieing wish the two of them move back to her home town of Eden. Kate almost immediately makes enemies with the schools reigning queen bee Ava and is tricked into going to a late night party. Unfortunately it is not a party a...more
Kate’s mother has cancer and despite all the doctors best efforts they have run out of options. So, to fulfill he mothers dieing wish the two of them move back to her home town of Eden. Kate almost immediately makes enemies with the schools reigning queen bee Ava and is tricked into going to a late night party. Unfortunately it is not a party a...more
view 1 comment
Richie’s Picks: HAPPY FAMILIES by Tanita S. Davis, Knopf, May 2012, 288p., ISBN: 978-0-375-86966-2
“We can work it out.
We can work it out.”
-- Lennon/McCartney
“Ysabel stares fixedly at the tabletop. My father smiles vaguely at the waitress, leaned away from the table so she can bustle around him, but there’s a stiffness to his face. The slope of his shoulders telegraphs hurt, and I look down at my plate, wishing I was hungry, wishing that we were just all here for real, being together like before...more
“We can work it out.
We can work it out.”
-- Lennon/McCartney
“Ysabel stares fixedly at the tabletop. My father smiles vaguely at the waitress, leaned away from the table so she can bustle around him, but there’s a stiffness to his face. The slope of his shoulders telegraphs hurt, and I look down at my plate, wishing I was hungry, wishing that we were just all here for real, being together like before...more
Ysabel and Justin both have their own interests, but enjoy hanging out with their supportive family. The book starts with them all at one of Ysabel’s art shows, but the next chapter is set much later. The twins’ father has moved out, their mother is stressed, and they don’t want anyone to know what has happened. However, their mother feels they must deal with it, and sends them to stay with their father for spring break so that they can be with him... and come to terms with the fact that there f...more
Twins Ysabel and Justin have a pretty good idea about where their lives are headed. Ysabel is an artist and aiming to show her glasswork in some upcoming shows and ultimately go to art school. Justin is master of the debate team and his five-year plan includes getting in to Stanford. But nothing could prepare them for the curveball their dad throws them: he's a transgender person, enjoys dressing in women's clothing, and he's moving out. When Ysabel and Justin are forced to spend their spring br...more
Wow.
The story here is of two twins trying to come to accept and come to terms with the fact that their father is a transgendered person.
There is a lot of emotion in this story and it always felt honest and real, never gimmicky or forced or phony. I very rarely cry unless a character dies, but there was a scene or two that had my eyes watering because their pain and confusion was just so intense and just there.
The book is narrated by both twins, Justin and Ysabel. I often like dual narrations...more
The story here is of two twins trying to come to accept and come to terms with the fact that their father is a transgendered person.
There is a lot of emotion in this story and it always felt honest and real, never gimmicky or forced or phony. I very rarely cry unless a character dies, but there was a scene or two that had my eyes watering because their pain and confusion was just so intense and just there.
The book is narrated by both twins, Justin and Ysabel. I often like dual narrations...more
Appeal Characteristics: transgendered people, family relationships, sibling relationships, high school, society issues, TRANS-youth, adjustments, coping
There were some things I really loved about this book...and some other writing issues that I didn't. The subject aspect and execution was done well and realistically as these twin siblings struggle through their Dad's transition to be from Chris to Christine. I especially liked the father and son struggle that was highlighted and the other issues...more
There were some things I really loved about this book...and some other writing issues that I didn't. The subject aspect and execution was done well and realistically as these twin siblings struggle through their Dad's transition to be from Chris to Christine. I especially liked the father and son struggle that was highlighted and the other issues...more
Appeal Characteristics: transgendered people, family relationships, sibling relationships, high school, society issues, TRANS-youth, adjustments, coping
There were some things I really loved about this book...and some other writing issues that I didn't. The subject aspect and execution was done well and realistically as these twin siblings struggle through their Dad's transition to be from Chris to Christine. I especially liked the father and son struggle that was highlighted and the other issues...more
There were some things I really loved about this book...and some other writing issues that I didn't. The subject aspect and execution was done well and realistically as these twin siblings struggle through their Dad's transition to be from Chris to Christine. I especially liked the father and son struggle that was highlighted and the other issues...more
Teenage twins Ysabel and Justin are struggling with the revelation that their father has recently come out as a Male to Female transgender person. Their family has been strongly affected by it, their father has moved away and their personal lives are in shambles as they don’t really understand what it all means. Now it’s spring break and the two are expected to spend the week with their father so they can talk, using this short time together to try and figure things out. The three go to therapy...more
I chose this book literally by its cover - didn't even know it was about trans issues (of which I care a little [just a little] bit more above average about] or anything. It was... OK. I felt a little uneasy about the fact that it really seems like the author researched the topic pretty well, but, if I had to guess, has never actually had a personal relationship with any transgender individual. Because of this, there was some unexpected - and possibly outdated? - word usage, strangely clinical a...more
Four stars! I honestly this book.
Well, it lacks character depth. Like one time Justin is all annoyed then the next he's totally okay. And Ysabel isn't so consistent on her moods either. Plus, sub-plots didn't really appeal much to me. Actually, the whole plot was a little bland.
But the reason why I liked it enough to give four stars is that I can truly relate to the family arguments, even despite the lack of depth in characters. I snicker at points where Ysabel and Justin tag-teaming against th...more
Well, it lacks character depth. Like one time Justin is all annoyed then the next he's totally okay. And Ysabel isn't so consistent on her moods either. Plus, sub-plots didn't really appeal much to me. Actually, the whole plot was a little bland.
But the reason why I liked it enough to give four stars is that I can truly relate to the family arguments, even despite the lack of depth in characters. I snicker at points where Ysabel and Justin tag-teaming against th...more
I really don't have anything to criticize about it, I think this book was very good and seems to be an accurate portrayal of how a transitioning parent affects the family. I also enjoyed how Ysabel and Justin's father didn't completely jump right into Christine, as this is also a realistic situation for a transperson, and it takes quite a while until you can pass and be secure in your preferred gender.
It was also really nice how it was told from the point of the twins, and how it went back and
...more
I was drawn to this book because the subject matter is not something that is commonly written about in African American teen fiction. This issues book was a decent effort and will probably be helpful to other families going through a similar situation. As for me, I could not wait for this book to be over. It's told in alternating chapters in the voice of 16-year-old twins, Justin and Ysabel and shares the aftermath after their lives are turned upside down when they learn their father is transgen...more
3.5
Ysabel and Justin were sure of where their lives were going until their father's secret was exposed and their lives changed.
Sometimes I felt like the twins' personalities were made to fit the situation that the author wanted instead of fitting the characterization that was set although this did not take away from the story and the message that the author set out to send. Overall, (view spoiler)...more
Ysabel and Justin were sure of where their lives were going until their father's secret was exposed and their lives changed.
Sometimes I felt like the twins' personalities were made to fit the situation that the author wanted instead of fitting the characterization that was set although this did not take away from the story and the message that the author set out to send. Overall, (view spoiler)...more
Mar 24, 2012
Kelly
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
ya-fiction,
read-in-2012
Ysabel and Justin are twins, and they've had really happy and comfortable lives. That is until their father broke the news that he's really a transsexual, and now things have spun out of control.
Davis's story was really promising, and the premise was interesting, but I found the execution wasn't as engaging or as strong as it could have been. I think using dual narrators hurt the story; I never got to actually know either Ysabel nor Justin, and I never got to know their father or mother. There...more
Davis's story was really promising, and the premise was interesting, but I found the execution wasn't as engaging or as strong as it could have been. I think using dual narrators hurt the story; I never got to actually know either Ysabel nor Justin, and I never got to know their father or mother. There...more
1 like · like · see review
Ysabel and Justin are fairly lucky twins. Ysabel is showing tremendous promise as an artist and Justin has a bright future in one of the country’s best colleges. Their family is close-knit and pretty happy. But then their father’s long-held secret becomes public, and it feels as though their family is being torn apart. Both conflicted, sad, and hurt about their father’s reveal, the twins struggle to come to terms with their new life. A spring break spent with their dad is planned to help them co...more
Pedantic but an excellent addition to LGBTQ subject lists and resource lists from family orgs like COLAGE. I like Tanita Davis's work generally, and really appreciate her focus on telling stories that have been untold or underrepresented. There's a lot that's good here. Nice solid back matter, including a glossary of vocabulary and "what not to say" -- smart! Much more useful and likely to be put into practice by both teens and adults than another set of addresses for places like The Trevor Proj...more
Comes off as bibliotherapy. Still- there are interesting themes here of the role of shame and societal expectations in our behaviors.
Ysabel and Justin go to their small church with their family, they go to Christian High School.
This narrates (mainly) the week they start to come to terms with Christine- their Dad Christopher's alter ego. Christopher has kept his feminine persona separate from the family all along. When Christine is discovered, he retreats and moves away. The kids miss him, are c...more
Ysabel and Justin go to their small church with their family, they go to Christian High School.
This narrates (mainly) the week they start to come to terms with Christine- their Dad Christopher's alter ego. Christopher has kept his feminine persona separate from the family all along. When Christine is discovered, he retreats and moves away. The kids miss him, are c...more
*ARC from NetGalley*
Happy Families is undoubtedly an 'issue' book. I say this because, at 240 pages in length, there isn't much time for the author to delve into anything besides the issue at hand, and it feels designed to help young adults through a similar experience, rather than to offer a thrilling read. However, the former goal is an admirable one and Happy Families did make me understand the issue of transgender people much better than I did before.
Happy Families is narrated by twins Ysabe...more
Happy Families is undoubtedly an 'issue' book. I say this because, at 240 pages in length, there isn't much time for the author to delve into anything besides the issue at hand, and it feels designed to help young adults through a similar experience, rather than to offer a thrilling read. However, the former goal is an admirable one and Happy Families did make me understand the issue of transgender people much better than I did before.
Happy Families is narrated by twins Ysabe...more
I took this book to music camp and, despite my Code Name Verity advertising, this was the book that my room mates decided they liked. So I am very sorry Elizabeth Wein, but musicians prefer crazy families to WW2. I hope you are happy Tanita S. Davis because I failed to make people read my mother's book, although about five people in my room told me they were buying the book/buying it on kindle/etc.
Easy to read, interesting plotline, funny in places :)
Easy to read, interesting plotline, funny in places :)
Another book about family dynamics, in this case a family where the father is in the process of coming out to his family as a transperson. It's a lot about love and tolerance, what is family, etc. The story is a good one and one that needs to be told. The problem I had with this book is that the two points of view (Justin and Ysabel)sounded alike. They had different feelings, which was good to hear, but the voices sounded the same. If I put the book down in the middle of the chapter, I could not...more
This book felt painfully real and honest. There were times when I felt as though I was intruding on a family's private turmoil. It's very well done. There are no good guys or bad guys here--just people trying to live their lives in a way that will make them whole and happy, without bringing pain to their loved ones. There are no easy answers and no happily ever afters. But I came away feeling both hopeful and desperately sorry for the families who experience these situations. It does seem as tho...more
This was fine -- I wasn't blown away by the writing or the characters, but I appreciated the focus on a loving family going through transition. There were a few annoying contrivances (a middle-aged father who is struggling to hide that he is transgender shows up to his teenage son's debate competition in full drag because his flight got in too late for him to change? really??) but I think the introduction to transgender characters and their families has good intentions and can make a difference,...more
OK, I see that the jacket copy and blurbs don't reveal what the family secret is, even though it comes out fairly early in the book and is alluded to in the dedication (or maybe the epigram--don't remember which) and on the cover. But if you don't want to know what the main conflict of this novel is, stop reading here!
Twins Justin and Ysabel are high school seniors with a family-shattering secret. (view spoiler)...more
Twins Justin and Ysabel are high school seniors with a family-shattering secret. (view spoiler)...more
I requested this book for review so long ago that by the time I picked it to read, I had forgotten what it was about. I'm so glad that I read this book. It was an eye opening story about a pair of twins who's lives are turned inside out after their father comes out about being a cross dresser. Their father, Christopher Nicholas likes to dress up as a woman and when he's dressed up as a woman prefers to be called Christine. Reading about Ysabel and Justin coming to terms with what this means for...more
As much as I liked both twins, I really hate it when dual POVs make me feel like I'm not getting enough time with either character. This is the second book I've read by Davis, and like Mare's War, I love the premise and don't like the execution. This book about a transitioning MTF and family is so necessary and yet I just didn't love this. That said I did appreciate what I thought was an honest reality, vs. forcing happiness and conclusions before they were earned.
(read: 69)
(read: 69)
This is a book that made me think about things I already thought I knew something about in new ways. Tanita is so good at this in her books, and she's created a family here that is so believable that I felt like I wanted to be a part of it while I was reading.
Favorite quote, from Justin: "Nobody tells you how to get from the bad moment you're in to where you manage to live happily ever after."
Favorite quote, from Justin: "Nobody tells you how to get from the bad moment you're in to where you manage to live happily ever after."
A well-written YA novel about two teens dealing with their father's outing himself as a transgender person. The teens alternate narrating chapters, voicing their worries and anxieties they face about their father's announcement (and his separation from the family) in a realistic, yet positive manner. The novel does not end with everything tied up in a neat little bow, but the reader finishes the book feeling hopeful. The glossary at the back of the book is really educational about trans-gender s...more
This book was a lovely slice of real life. A set of twins are dealing with the new found fact that their father is a cross dressed and identifies as transgender. This has thrown their life, and family, into chaos and they are floundering.
I like that this book was messy and dealt with a hard and not black and white issue. It has an open and not fully satisfying end; exactly as it should. A must read for anyone who knows anyone like this.
I like that this book was messy and dealt with a hard and not black and white issue. It has an open and not fully satisfying end; exactly as it should. A must read for anyone who knows anyone like this.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
