Ask the Author: Liz Prince
Answered Questions (1)
Liz Prince
Hi Diana,
Sorry I didn't see this question until now; it's my first goodreads question, to boot!!
I do agree with the YA classification: it was written specifically to be a teen/YA book, but one that would have readership with adults as well. That being said, I didn't really know what that would mean, in terms of content, so I wrote the book the way I wanted, and assumed that if a part was "too old", it would be edited out; in the end nothing got taken out. I am a little disappointed that some reviews of the book have commented that it is not appropriate for younger teens (13-16 year olds), because of the language; I wanted the dialogue to be authentic, and swearing was just a part of my childhood. Some people have argued that the content about gender is too advanced for younger readers, but I tried to write the book to have different layers, like an onion of meaning. Some things you can just get from the surface, some things are more abstract.
I have gotten a surprising number of emails from 9-12 year olds who love the book, and want to tell me about their own tomboy experiences. I have also gotten a surprising number of emails from parents with gender non-conforming children, who say that they understand their kids so much better after reading my book. I am touched by all of these responses, because I never really imagined that my story could HELP someone else, but it has!
Sorry I didn't see this question until now; it's my first goodreads question, to boot!!
I do agree with the YA classification: it was written specifically to be a teen/YA book, but one that would have readership with adults as well. That being said, I didn't really know what that would mean, in terms of content, so I wrote the book the way I wanted, and assumed that if a part was "too old", it would be edited out; in the end nothing got taken out. I am a little disappointed that some reviews of the book have commented that it is not appropriate for younger teens (13-16 year olds), because of the language; I wanted the dialogue to be authentic, and swearing was just a part of my childhood. Some people have argued that the content about gender is too advanced for younger readers, but I tried to write the book to have different layers, like an onion of meaning. Some things you can just get from the surface, some things are more abstract.
I have gotten a surprising number of emails from 9-12 year olds who love the book, and want to tell me about their own tomboy experiences. I have also gotten a surprising number of emails from parents with gender non-conforming children, who say that they understand their kids so much better after reading my book. I am touched by all of these responses, because I never really imagined that my story could HELP someone else, but it has!
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