Luna

Luna is written by Julie Anne Peters. It was published in 2004 by Little, Brown and Company.

Lexile Level: 500L     Ages: 14 and up

Summary: 

     Luna is a novel that focuses on the O'Neil family and the journey of a transsexual teen, known as Luna.The book is told through the eyes of Luna's sister, Regan. Regan is a typical sixteen-year-old girl: she's angry at her parents, self-conscious, and awkwardly obsesses with a boy in her chemistry class. But Regan is the keep of an enormous secret-her sibling is transgender and identifies as a female. This books deals with the strong bond between Regan and Luna as they go through this tough time, adolescence. Through the ups and downs of this novel, the siblings truly love and respect each other.

Evaluation:

     What was great about this book is all the flashbacks Regan shows the reader. She takes us back to times in her life that fills in the curiosities of the reader. This is also a great book because it talks about a serious topic, being transgender. It addresses gender expectations (from the parents), overcoming challenges, and being yourself. This book deals with a very mature topic and I would introduce it to a high school class.In the classroom this book can be informational for students who do not know much about being transgender or it could be inspiring for students who are transgender or have a family member (sister, brother, cousin, parent) who identifies as transgender.

Literary Elements:

     The image of a butterfly comes up over and over again. For example, Like a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis, I thought. An exquisite and delicate creature, unfolding her wings and flying away. Except in Luna's case, the butterfly is forced to rein in her wings and reinsert herself into the cocoon ever day. Every single day, she has to become this shell of a person (Peters 126). It is fitting because Luna wants emerge as a beautiful girl and show her true colors. There is also symbolism, Luna's chest acts as a symbols because she has to guard herself carefully, showing Liam to the world and not letting Luna come out. Lastly, Peters uses an allegory, the basement. The basement is the place where Luna can safely be herself without fear. An example, The parental units pretty much designated the basement as our private space. We had our bedrooms and shared bathroom down there, plus the big room where we could hang out and watch TV. Mom and Dad rarely ventured downstairs, and when they did they always announced themselves (Peters, 33).

1. Imagery: butterfly
2. Symbolism: Luna's chest
3. Allegory: the basement

In the Classroom:

     As I mentioned above I would use this book in a high school classroom. This book would be a great asset for a health class for a discussion about sexuality and what the difference between being transgender and being gay is because some students may not know. In a regular classroom, I would have the students pull out the literary devices that they found important and how it makes the story flow.


Peters, J. A. (2004). Luna. New York: Little, Brown and Company.