#gracefully grayson

[haveyoureadthisqueerbook]

Have you read Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky (2014)?

YES

NO

Voting ended onFeb 22, 2025

[zero-braincells-left]

grayson? more like. graydaughter. hahahhahahahahahahahah

[transbookoftheday]

Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky

Alone at home, twelve-year-old Grayson Sender glows, immersed in beautiful thoughts and dreams. But at school, Grayson grasps at shadows, determined to fly under the radar. Because Grayson has been holding onto a secret for what seems like forever: “he” is a girl on the inside, stuck in the wrong gender’s body.

The weight of this secret is crushing, but leaving it behind would mean facing ridicule, scorn, and rejection. Despite these dangers, Grayson’s true self itches to break free. Strengthened by an unexpected friendship and a caring teacher who gives her a chance to step into the spotlight, Grayson might finally have the tools to let her inner light shine.

Debut author Ami Polonsky’s moving, beautifully-written novel shines with the strength of a young person’s spirit and the enduring power of acceptance.

[retrospectislame]

as a transmasc individual i dont think anyone could understand how much the book gracefully grayson means to me. i read it before i even understood what being transgender was, and now that i know that im transgender this book just means so much more to me than it did before.

i used to think that the mc was just, as stated in the books summary, a girl trapped in a boy's body, that it was something supernatural, that it was something i couldnt relate to, but once i found out what being transgender was, the first thought that came to my mind was of this book.

and even though the book is about a trans female and im a trans male, i still find myself relating to so many things that the mc does. hell im only 26 pages into my reread and ive had to pause so many times because damn she is just like me fr and it is so overwhelming yet so freeing and i never thought i would be able to relate to a character on this level.

i got a bit rambly there at the end but i hope people understand what im trying to say

highly recommend gracefully grayson please go read it its amazing.

[cosmichorrorforhire]

Just finished book 24 of 2020, one of three books I read today, and am once again disappointed in the lack of proper fandoms on tumblr and ao3 for less mainstream books, especially queer ones

[just0nemorepage]

March Just One More Page BPC 📚 // Day 31 ➜ Transgender Pride.

↳ Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky. 

🏳️‍⚧️

[pridebooks]

Alone at home, twelve-year-old Grayson Sender glows, immersed in beautiful thoughts and dreams. But at school, Grayson grasps at shadows, determined to fly under the radar. Because Grayson has been holding onto a secret for what seems like forever: “he” is a girl on the inside, stuck in the wrong gender’s body. The weight of this secret is crushing, but leaving it behind would mean facing ridicule, scorn, and rejection. Despite these dangers, Grayson’s true self itches to break free. Strengthened by an unexpected friendship and a caring teacher who gives her a chance to step into the spotlight, Grayson might finally have the tools to let her inner light shine.

Gracefully Grayson surprised me the first time I read it - I didn’t expect to get something this good focusing on trans experiences written by a cis person. The thing is that this book continues to surprise me. I've read this book 3 times, and each time I’ve noticed some detail that I hadn’t before.

Part of what I love about this book is that while it isn’t perfect, it’s very good, and it’s a book that’s reasonable and accessible for younger readers. It doesn’t shy away from the truth - that being visibly different can and likely will make people try to hurt you - but it doesn’t get so graphic that it’s inappropriate. And while suitable for younger readers, it’s enjoyable for older readers as well.

There were parts in this that I saw and had experienced as a trans person. Grayson states that what she can see in the mirror is her father, not her mother, while I struggle with the opposite. Looking in the mirror and pretending, and pretending that other people can see it too. Feeling, and knowing, but not really knowing what it is you know.

Polonsky is also good about Grayson’s identity. She has stated that Grayson should be referred to as “she” and consistently does so.

[panicatthebookshelf]

Recommendation

I just finished one of the best books I've read in my life. It is simple. It is nothing very special. It is filled with emotions.

It had been a while since I read a book that made it hard for me to put it down because I had to go to work/bed. I forgot about my surroundings as my nose was stuck in this beautiful story. If a book and therefore the writer can do such thing to me I know it is an amazing book.

Buy it if you can. Add it on your wishlist. Head to the library. As long as you try to read it.