1. Why do Amanda’s parents react so differently to her identity? Is it due to just individual differences, or do you think it is a cause of strict gender roles?
2. This book attacks the notion of the strict binary societal gender roles. Why is this important? What are your favorite parts of the novel that do so?
3. Through Amanda’s experiences, Russo shows why and how dangerous bathroom bills and other transphobic policies are. Why do you think society has made it so hard for people who identify against the norm, like those who are transgender?
4. The novel, through Anna’s character, brings in the discussion of religion and the LGBTQ community. Do you think this discussion is important? Do you think the novel accurately portrayed this?
5. Toxic Masculinity and violence towards the trans community is very prevalent within this novel. Why do you think Russo provided so many examples of violence? Do you think is was necessary to the story?
6. Why do you think Russo went back & forth between the present and various moments in Amanda’s past throughout the book? What is the importance of the book’s timeline?
7. The book also discusses mental health and suicide within the trans community a lot. Do you think this was done well, why or why not? Why must we discuss suicide so much when discussing the trans community?
8. In the beginning of the novel, Bee was extremely good. She was open about her bisexuality and not ashamed of her identity. She was also the first person Amanda told about her identity. However, Bee betrayed Amanda, and Chloe, by forcibly outing them very publicly. Why do you think Bee’s character development occurred this way? What does it say, if anything, about the LGBTQ community? Why is Bee outing Amanda and Chloe so traumatic and wrong?
9. Overall, this young adult love story discusses a lot of issues the LGBTQ community experience, especially the trans community. What do you think are the most powerful messages and moments within the novel, and what do they say about society?
10. As per Russo’s author’s note, Amanda is a very privileged girl throughout her transition. How does that privilege make her life and transition easier, and how would the story be different if she did not have these privileges?
1. Why do Amanda’s parents react so differently to her identity? Is it due to just individual differences, or do you think it is a cause of strict gender roles?
2. This book attacks the notion of the strict binary societal gender roles. Why is this important? What are your favorite parts of the novel that do so?
3. Through Amanda’s experiences, Russo shows why and how dangerous bathroom bills and other transphobic policies are. Why do you think society has made it so hard for people who identify against the norm, like those who are transgender?
4. The novel, through Anna’s character, brings in the discussion of religion and the LGBTQ community. Do you think this discussion is important? Do you think the novel accurately portrayed this?
5. Toxic Masculinity and violence towards the trans community is very prevalent within this novel. Why do you think Russo provided so many examples of violence? Do you think is was necessary to the story?
6. Why do you think Russo went back & forth between the present and various moments in Amanda’s past throughout the book? What is the importance of the book’s timeline?
7. The book also discusses mental health and suicide within the trans community a lot. Do you think this was done well, why or why not? Why must we discuss suicide so much when discussing the trans community?
8. In the beginning of the novel, Bee was extremely good. She was open about her bisexuality and not ashamed of her identity. She was also the first person Amanda told about her identity. However, Bee betrayed Amanda, and Chloe, by forcibly outing them very publicly. Why do you think Bee’s character development occurred this way? What does it say, if anything, about the LGBTQ community? Why is Bee outing Amanda and Chloe so traumatic and wrong?
9. Overall, this young adult love story discusses a lot of issues the LGBTQ community experience, especially the trans community. What do you think are the most powerful messages and moments within the novel, and what do they say about society?
10. As per Russo’s author’s note, Amanda is a very privileged girl throughout her transition. How does that privilege make her life and transition easier, and how would the story be different if she did not have these privileges?