Diana
asked
Liz Prince:
Tomboy is catalogued at my library as a Juv Graphic Novel. Do you agree with that classification? If not, where does it belong? YA? Elsewhere? Many readers have remarked upon relating to this book in terms of their past selves, but do you hope to reach kids who are currently in the throes of their own gender identity quest? Think your book could start vital conversations among teens and even preteens.
Liz Prince
Hi Diana,
Sorry I didn't see this question until now; it's my first goodreads question, to boot!!
I do agree with the YA classification: it was written specifically to be a teen/YA book, but one that would have readership with adults as well. That being said, I didn't really know what that would mean, in terms of content, so I wrote the book the way I wanted, and assumed that if a part was "too old", it would be edited out; in the end nothing got taken out. I am a little disappointed that some reviews of the book have commented that it is not appropriate for younger teens (13-16 year olds), because of the language; I wanted the dialogue to be authentic, and swearing was just a part of my childhood. Some people have argued that the content about gender is too advanced for younger readers, but I tried to write the book to have different layers, like an onion of meaning. Some things you can just get from the surface, some things are more abstract.
I have gotten a surprising number of emails from 9-12 year olds who love the book, and want to tell me about their own tomboy experiences. I have also gotten a surprising number of emails from parents with gender non-conforming children, who say that they understand their kids so much better after reading my book. I am touched by all of these responses, because I never really imagined that my story could HELP someone else, but it has!
Sorry I didn't see this question until now; it's my first goodreads question, to boot!!
I do agree with the YA classification: it was written specifically to be a teen/YA book, but one that would have readership with adults as well. That being said, I didn't really know what that would mean, in terms of content, so I wrote the book the way I wanted, and assumed that if a part was "too old", it would be edited out; in the end nothing got taken out. I am a little disappointed that some reviews of the book have commented that it is not appropriate for younger teens (13-16 year olds), because of the language; I wanted the dialogue to be authentic, and swearing was just a part of my childhood. Some people have argued that the content about gender is too advanced for younger readers, but I tried to write the book to have different layers, like an onion of meaning. Some things you can just get from the surface, some things are more abstract.
I have gotten a surprising number of emails from 9-12 year olds who love the book, and want to tell me about their own tomboy experiences. I have also gotten a surprising number of emails from parents with gender non-conforming children, who say that they understand their kids so much better after reading my book. I am touched by all of these responses, because I never really imagined that my story could HELP someone else, but it has!
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