Tough baseball games are nothing for Shane Woods, a 12-year-old boy who loves pitching and hanging out with his friends. But soon, Shane’s secret—that he is transgender—may come out thanks to a school bully.
Shane’s proud of who he is and who he has become—thanks to his supportive mom (but not his father, who thinks this is a phase he will grow out of). Shane’s good friend Josh has always been there for him, but Shane wonders if he can share his secret with him. And when Shane’s story does come out, Josh is angry and upset that he didn’t open up to him.
Shane finds refuge in drawing his graphic novel—the images of which are scattered throughout the book, paralleling his own story of betrayal, exclusion and misunderstanding. He also seeks support through a gay-straight alliance, where he meets a trans girl who befriends him.
Much like the characters in his graphic novel, Shane forges ahead, learning to be at peace with himself while working toward his future, the ultimate unknown. The Other Boy offers an honest portrayal of a challenging journey, featuring a very likable, believable and real lead character.
