Publisher: Sparkpress
Format Read: E-ARC
Number of pages: 376 pages
Publishing: September 2nd, 2025
Source: Publisher
Opening Lines: "On the day I was born, God made a mistake."
North of Tomboy is inspired by the author's personal experiences of growing up in the rural Leelanau Peninsula in Michigan, during the 1970s. At the start of the story, Jess uses the metaphor of blue and red clay in place of gender to relate how she feels like she is a "mishmash" of the two. Jess identifies as a tomboy, and more as a boy than as a girl. She experiments being more like a boy by trying on her brother's clothes and wants to cut her hair shorter. Then for Christmas, Jess receives yet another baby doll, which angers and frustrates her. Jess views this as yet another sign that her parents haven't been listening to her. Determined to voice her thoughts finally, Jess alters the doll to resemble the boy she envisions herself to be, naming it Mickey. She even starts speaking and acting as if she has embraced the persona of Mickey. Gradually, Jess starts to realize that Mickey's voice cannot substitute her own. She understands that she needs to find a way to express herself that doesn't rely on Mickey to voice the important, and challenging things that she wants to say.
At first, I felt conflicted about Jess speaking through Mickey. It seemed like she was putting on a ventriloquist act for her family instead of sharing her genuine thoughts. However, it also served as a humorous way for her to break the ice. As the story progressed and Jess relied on Mickey less and less, I came to understand why she initially needed this support.
Mickey's voice is sassy and often pushes back on what Jess's family is saying. While Jess gets tight feelings in her chest and is riddled by anxiety from bottling things up. The entire family walks on eggshells from their dad, who clearly has anger issues. Jess tries to conform to her catholic family's beliefs and views on proper manners for young ladies but is frustrated by how her brothers get to do the things that she would like to do. She has to wear dresses to school at least part of the week and can't wear the comfortable clothing that they wear, and her hair is always getting in the way. Jess's mom also constantly meddles in her life, trying to encourage her to have sleepovers and wanting her to get closer to Candy and Tricia from her class. Even though Jess doesn't feel she has anything in common with these girls and has repeatedly told her that she doesn't want to go.
Reading about Jess's experiences in the 1970's was fascinating, with moments like the family gathering to watch TV, playing games together, and hearing the news about Watergate and Bille Jean King's pioneering gender equality with her participation in the Battle of the Sexes. The story has a charming small-town vibe, focusing on family, school, church and work. Religion and catechism lessons have an important role in the family and Jess works hard to avoid committing a sin. There's an interesting moment between Jess and her mom where her mother tells a white lie, prompting Jess to reflect on how politeness or sparing someone's feelings can sometimes win over honesty. Jess's family is genuinely caring, yet undeniably flawed. Her parents are dealing with their own struggles and imperfections, while Jess works to find her place in the family and her voice. By the end of the book, she succeeds in getting her mother to understand her better and the family dynamics begin to shift positively for her. At nine, soon to be ten, it's not entirely clear what Jess fully desires by the end of the book, but this ambiguity feels authentic given her age and the era.
No comments:
Post a Comment