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Almost Perfect - Brian Katcher (Pt. 1)

Almost Perfect - Brian Katcher

04/18/17

Almost Perfect had my attention right from the beginning. In a majority of cases, knowing the “twist” before the main character is kind of annoying, but for this story, it works really well. I think it would have been interesting to have a split perspective for this story. Having the story solely from Logan’s perspective is interesting, but I think it would be better if the reader could have Sage’s perspective as well. Obviously, as readers, we know why Sage behaves the way she does with Logan, but I would like to see inside her head.

The theme of this story is acceptance. Logan has to learn to accept that he and Brenda are not getting back together, and he has to learn to accept Sage for who she is. I am only part of the way through the story, and I hope that Sage’s father learns to be accepting as well. I have only read the first scene with Logan’s discussion with Sage’s father, and it seems like her father is not accepting. I think a part of him is worried, though. He says to Logan, “Do you know what happens to guys who go to school dressed like girls? Do you know what happens when people think the guy’s really a woman and then they find out the truth?... They get killed, Logan. I’m not kidding.” (157). Her dad is worried for her safety.

A lot of growth needs to happen with Logan’s character. Already, we see him try to understand Sage, and accept her, but he has a lot of internal struggle trying to accept that she is trans. I think that there is potential for Logan and Sage to become close friends, but only if Logan learns to accept Sage for who she is.

This story obviously handles gender identity and gender stereotypes. A stereotype that the book deals with is that trans people randomly choose to switch genders (it is treated as a joke). Sage’s dad obviously doesn’t see her as a girl. He refers to Sage as heand him(using all male gender pronouns). The book leaves out Sage’s perspective. I think it is really important to have her perspective so that we see what she deals with.

This book positions adolescents as in charge of themselves (in terms of Logan). With Sage, it is very clear that her parents have control over her. She is not allowed to date, and she can’t make friends. Her parents had her homeschooled, and when she turned eighteen, she chose to go to public school. Her parents don’t seem to approve of who she is, and her father refers to her with male pronouns. This text would appeal to adolescents because it deals with teens coming into their own as individuals. Sage stays true to herself despite the fact that there could be real consequences if she is found out.

Grade: A- 

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