Book Review: NONE OF THE ABOVE by I.W. Gregorio

Amazon Excerpt:

A groundbreaking story about a teenage girl who discovers she's intersex . . . and what happens when her secret is revealed to the entire school. Incredibly compelling and sensitively told, None of the Above is a thought-provoking novel that explores what it means to be a boy, a girl, or something in between. 

What if everything you knew about yourself changed in an instant? When Kristin Lattimer is voted homecoming queen, it seems like another piece of her ideal life has fallen into place. She's a champion hurdler with a full scholarship to college and she's madly in love with her boyfriend. In fact, she's decided that she's ready to take things to the next level with him. 

But Kristin's first time isn't the perfect moment she's planned—something is very wrong. A visit to the doctor reveals the truth: Kristin is intersex, which means that though she outwardly looks like a girl, she has male chromosomes, not to mention boy "parts."

Dealing with her body is difficult enough, but when her diagnosis is leaked to the whole school, Kristin's entire identity is thrown into question. As her world unravels, can she come to terms with her new self?

Diversity: 5Story: 3Characterization: 2Do I Recommend: Yes, because sometimes the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

I randomly purchased None of the Abovewhen I was cruising Tumblr. Intersex individuals used to be labeled hermaphrodites.  The later term is considered offensive and no longer used. I didn't know that until I bought the book and again, its one reason why we need diverse books because it opened my mind about what it may be like to be intersex. I felt kinda bad about reading this soley because it was about intersex. But then I shook the guilt off.  There is nothing wrong with admitting I wanted to read this book because it featured an intersex character any more than it's wrong to admit I wanted to read The Crossover because it featured black characters.  I want all the book and all the characters.  Because if I ever meet an intersex individual I won't look and gape or ask questions.  I'll have a clue.  I may not have a complete picture.  But I'll have a clue.

Gender intrigues me.  For the longest time I was ashamed of being a girl.  Boys picked on girls, mothers treat expect more from girl.  They have harder chores. And then there are periods, and bras, child birth.  Ugh. 
Anyway, back to the book. The beginning starts out very racy, with a young girl getting it on for the first but unfortunately things don't go the way it should…. And it builds from there. The most interesting bits happen at the beginning and towards the middle and so the end dragged a bit as it ventured into typical teenage angst territory.  
Do I recommend it? YES. I feel it’s a great addition opportunity to expand your reading. But if you've read similar books, I'd pass. The characters were not very intriguing, and although it was well written it wasn't great writing.