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Between Perfect and Real

By Ray Stoeve
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Check link for latest rating. ( 2,875 ratings, 632 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In Between Perfect and Real by Ray Stoeve, a high school student navigates the complexities of identity and self-discovery. Struggling with their gender identity, the protagonist lands the lead role in a school play, which sparks a transformative journey. It's a poignant exploration of finding authenticity amidst societal expectations and personal truths.
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Format: Hardback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you appreciate heartfelt stories of self-discovery and identity. It follows a genderqueer teenager navigating the complexities of coming out and embracing their true self, set against the backdrop of school drama and friendships. This book may appeal to you if you connect with themes of authenticity and empowerment in a young adult context.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Between Perfect and Real

After being cast as Romeo in the school play, Dean realizes he wants everyone to see him as he really is, a male, and not just play one on the stage, despite the risk of losing everything.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A moving YA debut about a trans boy finding his voice—and himself

Between Perfect and Real follows Dean Foster, a trans guy who is certain of his identity. He has watched enough YouTube videos and done enough questioning to be sure of who he is. However, at his high school, everyone thinks he is a lesbian—including his girlfriend Zoe and his theatre director, who just cast him as a "nontraditional" Romeo.

Dean ponders whether it would be simpler to wait until college to come out. Yet, as he portrays Romeo daily in rehearsals, he realises he wants everyone to see him as he truly is now—not just on stage, but everywhere in his life. Dean knows what he needs to do.

Can playing a role help Dean be his true self?

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Readers and critics praise Between Perfect and Real for its powerful, heartfelt portrayal of a trans teen's journey. The novel is celebrated for its warmth, authenticity, and its ability to provide hope and guidance to young trans and nonbinary readers. Reviews highlight its exploration of identity, friendship, and courage, with special mentions of its emotional depth and the nuanced depiction of high school life.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781419746017

Publisher: Abrams

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 10 June 2021

Country: United States

Imprint: Amulet Books

Audience: Teenage

DIMENSIONS

Width: 140.0mm

Height: 210.0mm

Weight: 0g

Pages: 304

Collections

Children's Fiction Children’s, Teenage and Educational Fiction Ray Stoeve Young Adult

About the Author

Ray Stoeve is the author of the young adult novel Between Perfect and Real, which was a 2021 Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. They also contributed to the young adult anthology Take The Mic: Fictional Stories of Everyday Resistance. They received a 2016–2017 Made at Hugo House Fellowship and created the YA/MG Trans and Nonbinary Voices Masterlist, a database that tracks all books in those age categories written by trans authors about trans characters. When they’re not writing, they can be found gardening, making art in other mediums, or hiking their beloved Pacific Northwest.

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