If I Was Your Girl

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They would then assign a substitute to my classes, or at the very least, check to see who is enrolled in my classes. Later in the evening, she is confronted in the bathroom by a drunk Bee who comes on to her aggressively. She’s also trans, which I think let her understand the experiences far better than a cis reader might have. Anyway, Amanda moves to her new school and is immediately welcomed by a group of girl friends as well as ogled by the hormonal boys.

Something else I appreciated was the ongoing commentary on the ways in which trans people’s struggles are part of a more universal human struggle. And I have an immense crush on her southern accent; I think she might be one of the reasons I fell for this so hard.She decides to just lay low and try to keep her secrets away from Anna but doesn’t want to cause waves with the rest of the friend group. She tells everyone about who’s had an abortion, who’s secretly gay, and most importantly that Amanda was born male.

I really encourage everyone to listen to this story whether they be Trans, CIS, gay, straight, bi, pan or however they self identify. The popularity and profile of If I Was Your Girl is not a turning point of acceptance and representation of trans people in literature and is not a reason to pat ourselves on the back.I’m sorry, I just have to mention this one thing and it’s a bad joke but I couldn’t get it out of my mind this whole book. Amanda is such an incredible character, and I loved everything about her; her strength, her bravery, her acceptance and love of herself. This book too had an open ending; Amanda had tied the loose ends, but her relationship with Grant was confusing and left open. Mary Anne brought our food and excused herself to greet a pair of white-haired older men in plaid work shirts.

But I like that the antagonists of If I Was Your Girl are never the ones you think they will be (except Parker—because duh). The good news is that Amanda (obviously) didn’t die and her cry for help led her to a support group which really helped, sympathetic friends, counseling and, after she turned 18, transitioning via hormones and surgery.

But it’s okay because they too were genuinely lovely people, and I have to admit that Chloe was my favourite just because of the ONE scene where she’s an absolute bad-ass who’s taking no prisoners. It benefits straight people by normalizing straightness and keeping them in a position of power and privilege. As a cis woman, I felt I really learned a lot about the experience people like Amanda go through and it was a very informative and valuable read. They weren’t fooling around or anything unseemly but her dad takes it hard enough to start drinking after he kicks him out. And when I say “safe space” I mean that ignorant assumptions can be challenged and useful information provided without anyone having to be hurt or embarrassed (whether trans or cis) in the process.