If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo is a young adult novel focusing on the challenges of transgender students. The book is partly based on the author’s experience as a young trans girl. Most trans teens pass through difficult times due to the backlash triggered by prevalent straight young adults. The main character in this novel is Amanda Hardy. The trans teen chooses to live with her father after being trolled in the school. Amanda’s parents have been supportive of her and don’t subject her to judgments. The challenge comes when her parents decide to divorce. Amanda lives with her mother in Atlanta, Georgia, but endures transphobic slurs daily.
Transphobic slurs are depressive. Amanda becomes depressed and decides to go to Lambertville to stay with his father. At Lambertville, Amanda is enrolled in a senior school. However, her father warns her against having a sexual relationship. The young trans girl befriends some students. As well, she ends up dating a teen boy called Grant, thus, defying her father’s advice. The relationship between the two is cordial until Bee, a bisexual girl, lifts the lid and tells everyone that Amanda was born a boy.
The revelation of Amanda’s original gender enhances guilt and shame. All along, Amanda has not accepted her situation. Russo uses the character of Amanda to urge young trans teens to accept their situation and become true selves. Gender identity should embolden anyone who feels trapped within the wrong body. Self-acceptance is crucial. Eventually, Amanda becomes her true self and gets back to school to complete her studies.
