The book I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver tells the story of Ben, who has recently come out as non-binary to their parents. As a result of this, their parents kick them out and they end up living with their estranged sister named Hannah, who also seems to have a husband named Thomas that Ben did not know about. This is one of the few examples of how this family is not close at all and very much so divided, but the reader will find out why later in the novel. Now that he has started a new school, he decides to keep a low profile, until one particular student named Nathan Allan catches his eye and Nathan takes Ben under his wing. The two become close, friends who would talk at lunch and in class, about the most random things. The two would then form a bond that seems stronger than anything, until tensions and problems from the past seem to conjure its way up again.
Overall, this book gave me all of the feels- anger, sadness, happiness, and everything in between. I truly haven't read books about transgender people, so it was definitely eye-opening for me. I think this narrative is relatable to transgender individuals, and needs to become more commonly read and discussed in my age group. This book also goes over many preconceived notions and stigmas that people hold against the trangender community, and how it actually hurts people. This book is about love, family, friendship, happiness, mental health, and so much more. The ending was bittersweet, and I can't wait to read more books like this one.
Submitted by P. Z.
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