The Pants Project

Liv is dreading school at Bankridge Middle. Not the new school, not being young a 6th grader, but having to wear a skirt every day. See, Liv may look like a girl, but he feels like a boy. He is transgender, a secret he has kept for some time from his moms, his younger brother, and his best friend. He’s not quite ready to share that, and he is definitely not ready for a dress code that requires skirts. With a best friend who sees Liv as an obstacle to being popular and a mean girl who can’t stand anyone different, Liv doesn’t think that this year could ever get better, but with some new friends and some scheming, he might be able to change things around. Clarke artfully twists together LGBTQ concerns and disability issues with self-esteem, respect, and compassion. This book is a current day Beverly Cleary or Judy Blume, delving into issues faced by kids, like bullying and tolerance, but with an issue experienced by many kids today. It is a read suited for those as young as third grade, with numerous quotable sentiments that apply to all. It’s about standing up for yourself, in pants or a skirt.