by Takako Shimura, 203 pages What do you do when you suspect you were born in the wrong body? Fifth-graders Nitori and Takatsuki find they share the same secret--each wishes they were the other's gender. With one another's encouragement and a little nudge from a mutual friend, they begin the process of self-discovery, comforted that they are not alone in their predicament. But acknowledging to themselves and each other what they truly feel is not the same as opening up to their families, friends, teachers, and the rest of the world. Will they ever be able to be themselves?
Although the characters are rather difficult to distinguish from one another until you get to know them, and scene-change queues don't always register right away, this well-written, simply-drawn story deals with the confusion and pressures of its adolescent principals gently and thoughtfully. Puberty is awkward enough without their added complications, and the reader readily wishes these youngsters happiness and acceptance, though the journey will surely be long and far from easy.
Wandering Son was recognized as a recommended work by the 2006 Japan Media Arts Festival judges and was nominated for YALSA's 2012 "Great Graphic Novels for Teens" list.
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