From: Debra O'Donnell <dfroggley3>
Date: Thu, 10 Jun 2004 20:24:53 -0400

I have little experience in the field (just a student actually), but I feel the need to add my two cents to the Luna discussion. I think that the story is remarkable in the way that it allows the reader a realistic glimpse inside the head of a member of much ridiculed and misunderstood segment of society. I think that it is an important book because of the way it illustrates the distinction between gender identity and sexual orientation, a difference many people don't realize or understand (I certainly learned a thing or two). And finally, I appreciate use of the sister?s perspective to tell the story. As Peters explains on her website, for the sake of authenticity, she could not tell this story from the perspective of Liam/Luna, and so she created Regan's character in order to tell the story through the voice of an observer.

  Unfortunately, I have yet to read a substantial body of GLBT children?s literature, but I?m steadily working my way through whatever I come across. One of my favo rites thus far ? although it is almost 10 years old ? is Woodson?s From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun. It is touching and honest, and feels very authentic.
           

 Debbie O'Donnell

 MLIS Student

 Florida State University

dfroggley3 at msn.com
Received on Thu 10 Jun 2004 07:24:53 PM CDT