THE MOONSTONE GIRLS by Brooke Skipstone – Young Adult, LGBTQ+ Literature, Coming of Age

2021-12-29T14:35:19-08:00By |

  In The Moonstone Girls, award-winning author Brooke Skipstone unravels a story about seventeen-year-old Tracy Franks. Tracy has a secret that in 1968 could have deadly consequences. You see, Tracy is gay. In her hometown of San Antonio, Tracy is forced to hide behind the "girl next door" facade, never allowing her true identity to emerge. Her only confidante is her brother, Spencer. He understands her turmoil exactly because Spencer is also gay. Neither teenager feels free to talk about their true feelings with their family, especially their father, Art. Art constantly scolds his son for his feminine behavior, his desire to become a pianist instead of joining the military. Though he also shows his displeasure with Tracy, she, unlike her brother, fights back, but only in the privacy of their home. Tracy keeps her secret from everyone–until the night she is kissed by her friend Ava at a party. Ava and Tracy decide their relationship is worth exploring, but the two must do so in secrecy, and Tracy decides to pass as a boy whenever she and Ava go out in public. However, their charade is soon discovered, and Tracy's life becomes a great deal more complicated. Before long, Tracy will make decisions that will be life-changing and impact her entire family. The uplifting theme of perseverance in this coming-of-age novel is a treasure. Tracy's astounding bravery comes from wisdom beyond her seventeen years. She wields immense courage against every challenge, even though she sometimes doubts her [...]

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