~ Trade Paperback
~ Winner of the Lambda Literary Award for LGBT Children's/Young Adult - 2017
All Pen wants is to be the kind of girl she’s always been, so why does everyone seem to have a problem with it? They think the way she looks and acts means she’s trying to be a boy, and that she should quit trying to be something she’s not. Old-world parents, disintegrating friendships, and strong feelings for other girls drive Pen to see the truth: that in order to be who she truly wants to be, she will certainly have to man up . . .
A thought-provoking novel of finding oneself, Girl Mans Up addresses the idea that children owe their parents respect, and features a realistic portrayal of a strong genderqueer lesbian character who is imperfect, independent, and deserving of love.
“An unassuming coming-of-age story about gender and sexuality that barely mentions labels, has no agenda and takes unexpected but genuine turns. It’s also a universal story because we’re all striving for the place where we can confidently say, ‘I don’t feel wrong inside myself.’” -- The Globe and Mail