Tartellin, Abigail. Golden Boy: A Novel. New York: Atria Books, 2013. 978-1476705804. 352 p. $24.99. Gr. 11-12.

This book is one that will linger in your mind long after you have read the final line. The story of an intersex teen living in a small village outside of London in the United Kingdom is one of the best novels I have read this year. Max Walker grew up knowing that he was different, but accepting that it was not something openly discussed by his well-known parents. His mother, a criminal lawyer, and his father, a highly successful prosecutor who is beginning his bid for a seat in Parliament, decided against any surgeries or sex changes when Max was born, thus Max grew up with both sets of sex organs. As Max exhibits the appearance of a boy and is attracted to girls, no one has suspected that he is anything but a young man, and one who is intelligent, athletic, and attractive, a literal “golden boy.” Only one couple and their son, Hunter, close friends of the Walkers’, know the truth about Max. The secret is kept sacred until one evening a drunk Hunter rapes Max in his bedroom while their parents are socializing downstairs. Max, too frightened and confused to cry out, cannot fight Hunter off. This action sets in motion a series of events that will change the lives of the Walker family forever, and force Max to question his identity and place in the world.  One of the most intriguing parts of this book is that the chapters are written from the first person point of view of a variety of characters- every member of Max’s family is heard from, as well as a local doctor and female classmate, Sylvie, who befriends Max. Most intriguing is the voice of Max’s younger brother Daniel, who understands much more than he should but whose precocious nature is a constant burden for his mother as she attempts to deal with Max’s issues and her own insecurities. Give this title to more mature readers who can handle difficult subject matter and take away the knowledge and insights that this novel provides.

Realistic                                             Lindsey Myers, Peters Township High School

I volunteered to read and review this book after seeing that it was one of the winners of YALSA’s Alex Award, which is given to adult books with special appeal for teens. Because of the difficult and controversial topic, I completely understand why this book is marketed as an adult novel, but also see its relevance to the current YA world. More and more books are being written that offer windows into the worlds of GLBTQ teens, but this one takes on a new topic with the discussion of an intersex teen. I have to admit that I was also not familiar with the term “intersex” prior to reading this novel. I knew of hermaphroditism and loved Jeffrey Eugenides Middlesex, but like Max’s doctors in the novel I did not know much about the issue or the new terms by which it is referred. Tartellin has a very simple way of explaining the issue, and the identity crisis that the teenage Max goes through seems authentic. The voices of all characters also echo in their sincerity.

I cannot actually say how I will use this within the context of any classes, because I would not feel comfortable book talking it for a large group of students due to the sensitive nature of the topic and the graphic rape scene that is written in the first few pages. I have and will, however, suggest it to a select few of my more mature and avid readers who I feel can handle the issues and trust to take away the knowledge of how we develop our own identities throughout our various life experiences.