The Sweet In-Between

by Sheri Reynolds

Desperate for a place to belong with her father in prison and her mother dead, teenager Kenny Lugo finds a less-than-idyllic home with her Aunt Glo, her father's struggling girlfriend, and her children, until she finds redemption from an unexpected source following the killing of a college girl in the house next door. By the author of Firefly Cloak. (General Fiction)

Genres: Fiction, Adult Fiction, LGBT, Young Adult, Contemporary, Transgender, Southern

246 pages, Library Binding

First published November 25, 2008

About the author

Sheri Reynolds is an author of contemporary Southern fiction.

Sheri Reynolds was born and raised in rural South Carolina. She graduated from Conway High School in 1985, Davidson College in 1989, and Virginia Commonwealth University in 1992.

Her published novels include Bitterroot Landing, The Rapture of Canaan (an Oprah book club selection and New York Times bestseller), A Gracious Plenty (98), Firefly Cloak (06), The Sweet In-Between (08), and The Homespun Wisdom of Myrtle T. Cribb (12) and The Tender Grave (21). Her first play, Orabelle's Wheelbarrow, won the Women Playwrights' Initiative playwriting competition for 2005.

Also Professor of English and the Ruth and Perry Morgan Chair of Southern Literature at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA, Sheri teaches creative writing and literature classes. She won the Outstanding Faculty Award from the State Council for Higher Education of Virginia in 2003. In 2005, she received a grant from the Virginia Commission for the Arts in playwriting. She has also taught at Virginia Commonwealth University, The College of William and Mary, and Davidson College.

Sheri lives in the town of Cape Charles on Virginia's Eastern Shore.

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The other day I was listening to Lucinda Williams, and when I heard "Car Wheels on a Gravel Road" I thought immediately of this book ("little bit o' dirt, mixed with tears"). The protagonist seemed entirely real to me--the very picture of unhinged, devastating Southern poverty and ignorance. I'm Southern myself, and I have gritted my teeth in irritation at the stereotyping and the complete-missing-of-the-boat in literary and dramatic depictions of slices of Southern life. (I could not make it through "Steel Magnolias." So awful.) This story felt dead on to me.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sherri Reynolds is one of my favorite authors and she did not disappoint with this story. Kendra, also known as Kenny, lives with her father's girlfriend while he serves time in prison for trafficking. She is getting close to being 18 and is worried about where she'll go after she hits the landmark birthday. Kenny is also getting worried about her sexuality, seeing her father in prison, watching her almost-brother get lost in a new relationship. The story just flows so well and her writing is incredible. Read anything by her - you won't be disappointed!

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

My book selection process usually goes a little something like this: I read a review, add the book to my wish list, buy the book several months later, and then read the book months after that. So when I first started reading The Sweet In-Between, I was trying to remember what it was about that long-ago review that made me want to read this strange little book. Now that I've finished it, I still don't remember, and frankly, I don't really care. Whatever it was, I'm grateful for it, because as strange as The Sweet In-Between is at times, it's also one little gem of a novel.

What I really liked about this book was that the "main event" in the plot, while significant, was merely a touchstone for a series of smaller -- but no less important -- events, all of which revolved around the main character, Kenny. I loved the honesty with which she navigated through these often painful experiences -- it made her all the more sympathetic and, well, real. And that's another thing: I don't know of many authors who tackle the theme of gender identity, but I doubt I will find another who can handle the topic with more skill and grace than Reynolds.

Do not be deceived by its short length and seemingly common coming-of-age umbrella: like Kenny, there is definitely more to The Sweet In-Between than meets the eye.

[Lbball27 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent story. Kenny is a 17 year old girl, wanting to be a boy. Heartbreaking situation, but Kenny is an amazing, strong character. Want to read more of this author. Absolutely loved "A gracious plenty."

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kendra AKA Kenny is going through a difficult period in her life. Like most characters in Reynolds's novels, she is dirt poor and living in the South. Her father is in jail, her mother is dead, and she is currently living with her father's girlfriend, Aunt Glo.

And did I tell you that Kenny binds her breasts and dresses like a boy? That, by the way, is the most intriguing part of Kenny, and Reynolds waits a good, long time to explain the origins of this behavior. No matter, as it was definitely worth the time and the journey with Kenny.

This is yet another amazing (and sad) Southern novel from the awesome Sheri Reynolds. She just never disappoints me!

[Lindsey Deitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sheri Reynolds....your writing is so strange and in lots of ways so wrong but you are one of my favorite authors. Having read practically all of Sheri Reynolds books this was my most favorite. The strange part is that this is the most "unread" book of Sheri Reynolds. I love all the main characters in her books because they are so real and think things I've thought that I thought no one else did. I can perfectly see all the characters in my mind as if I were there. Ok Sheri, I've read all of your books.... Keep em coming!!!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gobbled up this coming of age story of Kenny (Kendra) who is struggling with her gender identity while working hard to belong to her Incarcerated father's girlfriend "Aunt" Glo's little family. The book opens with an accidental killing in the adjoining duplex and Kenny's reactions to this event. All of the characters rang true with their quirks and flaws as well as redeeming qualities. Humorous too.

[Joanie Driemeyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was heartbreaking. S0 many reprehensible characters in Kenny's life, it was a relief when some heroes showed up. I wanted to keep reading and cheer Kenny on in her struggles. I'd read a sequel.

[Rebecca S Chapman Dann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Reynolds style of easy dialog, fast moving plot lines, and great complex characters. Here we have a book about a sexually confused teen, Kendra/Kenny trying to decide who to be in a turbulent family of misfits in which she doesn't even belong. “Aunt” Glo is actually her father's girlfriend and dad is in prison for drug trafficking. Kenny adores Glo's small granddaughter Daphne and in actuality is the responsible caregiver to the developmentally challenged little girl. In the home also lives Glo's sons Quincy and Tim-Tim. There is never enough money or good food, Tim-tim is a thief and Glo remains stoned much of the time.

Interspersed with chapters of Kenny maneuvering the halls of high school trying to find a place to just “be,” and to be real, the reader (or at least I did) remains on edge while she tries to keep her family together and functioning. They live in a duplex and on the other side is a lecherous drunk who shoots and kills a teenage girl who mistakenly enters his house thinking it is one she rented. So throw in all the trauma of that mess and what a great tale Reynolds tells. Kenny's coming of age tale is so poignant and also shocking at times. Reynolds did a good job making the reader see how the minds work of those who traverse a world that we or at least I have no experience with. It is hard to read about a young girl being sexually assaulted and then having her take it in stride and not think it is the end of her world. It is hard for readers like me to read about people living in subcultures where that is not uncommon and not perceived as being that bad.

[Laren · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a coming-of-age story about a "gender-confused" girl whose mother has died, and she lives with her dad's girlfriend since her dad was sent to prison for drug dealing. She also is concerned that she will be thrown out once the foster-care money stops coming when she turns 18. The story starts the night their neighbor shoots an intruder who turned out to be a college student on spring break who meant to be entering a nearby vacation home when she trespassed the neighbor's home. Our protagonist becomes obsessed with this incident, and her story, past and present is interwoven with her processing the death of someone so near her own age. The story does capture well the mind of a teenager trapped in isolation, ignorance and poverty when that's all that is around her. The story doesn't relate gender confusion well though, as the tale is more about the character finding comfort with her own sexuality than having a true gender identity disorder as advertised.

As with many COA stories, this one doesn't resolve nicely - it just ends when the main character begins to look towards her future with hope and confidence instead of despair (is that really when people "come of age"?). I felt I sort-of understood the main character, but the rest of the many characters remained enigmas to me.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual, another fabulous story by Reynolds!

From dust jacket:

"Kendra, or "Kenny", has grown up in a family that's not really hers. Her momma died of cancer when Kenny was very young, and "Aunt" Glo is, in fact, her daddy's girlfriend, who took her in when her father was sent to jail for drug trafficking.

Nearing eighteen years old and facing confusion over her sexuality, Kenny binds her chest with ACE bandages and keeps her hair cropped short like a boy's. Her gender ambiguity makes her an outcast at school and, even at times, at home, where her adopted family isn't really sure what to make of her.

When a senseless murder occurs in their run-down coastal town - a college student mistakenly entering the wrong home is killed - Kenny becomes obsessed with thoughts of the dead girl and with her own fears that she will be alone in the world when she turns eighteen. She makes it her mission to become indispensable to Aunt Glo in the hopes that she can win the older woman's love, despite their not being bound by blood.

A lyrical tale of a family of misfits in a town that's seen its best days come and go, THE SWEET IN-BETWEEN is also a poignant story of an unforgettable character's coming-of-age."

[Ally Armistead · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked up "The Sweet In-Between" on a whim, in the library, after reading the first page and finding myself caught up in the pithy, vulnerable voice of Kendra. Abandoned by her imprisoned father, confused by her sexual identity, and living with a woman she calls "Aunt Glo" but who isn't her blood relative, Kendra had me from the get-go.

However, as the novel progresses, the story (which had such promise) begins to fall apart. Part of this has to do with a distracting and irrelevant subplot about a manslaughter that occurs in her neighbor's apartment, and part of this has to do with the novel not tying up the central issues of identity that it set out to explore. As a reader, I had wanted Kendra to discover and embrace her sexuality; I had wanted her to find family in Aunt Glo; I had wanted her to accept herself. However, instead, the novel seems to taper off, diminishing into vignette and subtlety that is far too vaporous for this reader.

Had Reynolds pursued what she set out to do in the first few pages, "The Sweet In-Between" would have been much improved. Still, I'd recommend this book to all novelists in-progress, if only to discover how unsatisfying (for a reader) it is to walk right up to the edge of something without ever taking the plunge.

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not a cheerful book to read. It tells the story of Kenny, a teenage girl who lives with her Aunt Glo (who's not really her aunt, but her dad's girlfriend) because her dad is in prison for drug trafficking and her mom died of breast cancer when she was a little girl. She was abused by her almost-brother (Aunt Glo's son), and that made her chop off her hair and bandage her breasts to look like a boy. She dresses in baggy clothes as if denying her gender will protect her from more pain.
Although life with this disfunctional family isn't perfect, Kenny fears that she will lose them and have to leave when she turns eighteen and the government checks stop coming.
And to make her misery even worse, a girl is accidentaly shot next door and Kenny becomes obsessed by thoughts of the murdered girl.
Oh, and did I tell you that the kids bully her at school?
There is not a single thing on Kenny's life that looks good, but despite the misery of Kenny's life we know, somehow, that she will be ok.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Sweet In-Between is a book about a girl named Kendra who goes by Kenny. She binds herself up, cuts her hair short, and dresses like a boy. Even after reading the entire book, I am still not sure why. It may be because she has gender identity issues or it may be because she hates being a girl that people can, and possibly have, abused. The story is an interesting snapshot of her life. It takes place over a brief period of time and several things happen to her. It begins with an accidental killing next door and how she copes with that, but then moves on to 'normal' life for this particular girl. The author doesn't give you any backstory for some time and it feels like you are going down the path of her life, but in a way like skipping from stone to stone across a brook. However, as the backstory is filled in, I felt like I was on more solid ground. Although, I never felt like I really knew her very well, even though the story is hers. This is why I give it three stars. I would have liked to have gotten to know Kenny better so I could understand her.

[Janice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this is my least favorite of the Sheri Reynolds books I have read, it is still an engaging story. Kenny (Kendra) is an adolescent girl, struggling with sexual identity, living in a “family” that barely makes it, financially, emotionally, socially, most of the time. A deceased mother and incarcerated father has left Kenny in the care of her Dad's girl friend, Glo, a woman who has her own children and gradnchildren to attend to, as well as Kenny. Glo is kind of a broken mother hen, she wants to support and love all her brood, but has her own emotional pains and traumas that sometimes interfer. Desptie all the brokenness in each of their lives, this family is united, they have a bond that yearns toward protecting and loving each other. There are caring adults that give Kenny a belief in the future, and although there is no epiphany the book ends on a hopeful note.

[Adele Stratton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novel by the author of The Rapture of Canaan, it was the story of a hard-luck 17-year-old girl named Kendra and all the fears and ambivalence she encountered being raised by a stepmother, “Aunt Glo”, in a hard-luck southern family of “yours, mine and ours.” (Her mother had died of breast cancer, and her father was in jail, due to the consequences of a drug problem that was in large part due to his reaction to the death of her mother.) Although “Kenny’s” story and experience includes poverty, murder, incest and a mentally challenged sibling, as well as all the contradictions and imperfections of her parents, unbelievably this is a wise and tender story, and we know that despite the many and unfair challenges in her young life, Kendra is most likely gonna be just fine.

[Jayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sheri Reynold's previous theme resurfaces in this book - the young girl's punishment and disguise of herself as a girl who is apparently not worth any attention as a human being - only a sex object. I enjoyed the book, but at times was annoyed but the excessive use of dialogue - only a personal opinion. I think it destroys the cadence of the figurative language. The ending is hopeful - not contrived - I like that. I think older teen girls would especially enjoy this novel. It would be a great book club selection for high school girls.

[korey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love it when I stumble upon good books and discover another great author. This is an incredible story about a young teenage girl in the midwest who is struggling with living in a girls body and feeling like she doesn't belong....anywhere. The girl "Kenny" will totally make you cry with all she has to go through just to survive. It's gut wrenching in places and hilarious in others. The author writes similar to Billie Letts, so that's probably why I like it so much. If you like those types of stories, this is a must read.

[Tifnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Sweet In-Between is about a young girl Kendra who changes her appearance with baggy clothes, short haircut, no make-up and taping of her breast to appear flat or better yet, a boy. She prefers to be called Kenny instead of Kendra and the community is up in arms about this abomination. Though naïve, Kenny is navigating high school as best as she can and trying to remain a wallflower so no one will pick on her. When a horrific event happens next door, Kenny's story starts to unfold and you can't help but praise her for her creative ways to remain hidden.

[Susan (aka Just My Op) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A “gender-confused” 17-year-old girl is living with her dad's girlfriend while her dad is in jail, and fears she will be kicked out when she is 18. She binds her breasts and drinks only at night so she won't have to go to the girls' bathroom during the day. A touching story about a very likable teenager who does the best she can but always thinks she isn't good enough. Short at ~200 pages, and well worth the reading time.

[Mommalibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was filed with the adult books but it would be a valuable read for a high school student. The sexual picture painted of the surrounding 'Southern' culture is rough and intimidating. The story concerns the interaction of that exterior life and the unformed interior life of Kendra - Kenny. There is no hard line drawn by the author between what influences come from outside and which are internal. The story is a positive one of learning to live in your own life.

[Emily Thrasher · Rating 3 out of 5]

The back of the book says that it this book is a tender... A sweet coming of age story. I don't think they could be more wrong. This story like Sheri's other titles weaves a complex web between the characters and their inner struggles. Sheri's writing has a knack of touching a reader's deep, dark secrets thoughts. Most of her books shine light into the confusing, and potentially dangerous world of sex.

[Kerri Lord · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting read. I honestly don’t know how this book ended up on my bookshelf but I’m glad I read it. I enjoyed the story of Kenny and liked the depth of character that was depicted in the story. The story touches upon gender/sexual confusion while also delving in to the relationships we establish in our family structure. The fact that Kenny’s “family” is not a traditional biological family adds more layers to the story line. A quick and engaging read.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this book contains elements of dark and disturbing trauma, it reads a touching and rather sweet coming-of-age story. I was immediately taken by the setting (Virginia), the characters' realistic and often humorous dialogue, and mostly by the protagonist, Kendra (Kenny). A quick read but certainly one that is honest, at times heart breaking but mostly positive and uplifting.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy Sheri Reynolds' books. This has a similar protagonist as her previous books in that she is a very poor adolescent girl. Kenny is a girl struggling with gender identity and worrying that she will lose her home once she turns 18, since she is not a "true" daughter or niece. Reynolds' writing is always lovely and this was a good, short read.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those novels with ordinary dialogue about extraordinary circumstances...Kenny (Kendra) is a mixed-up teen in a really whacked out family. It's a wonder that she is somewhat normal at all. Dad in jail, mom dead from cancer, Kenny confused about her sexual orientation, death in apartment next door. Sounds like a mish-mash but wonderfully blended by author Reynolds.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had never read anything by this author and picked up the book because I liked the cover. I found it very readable. The main character, Kenny, is strong yet so vulnerable. Her gender confusion is very well handled. Her voice was very real.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Realistic, dark portrayal of a family living in poverty with a father incarcerated, an aunt addicted to drugs, a child with learning challenges, and the realities of what happens when you are desperate to make some money.

[Agatha Donkar Lund · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating book about a teenage girl who tries to control her life by controlling her gender identity. Sad, and very sweet.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kenny is approaching her 18th birthday, and is facing many decisions about her life. Where will she live, what will she do, does she like boys, why does she dress like a boy? Raw, but very good.