Aimee reviews ~ Jamie by L.D. Lapinski

I knew I was going to love this book from the very first page – quite literally, the dedication of ‘This book is for you’ made me well up!

Jamie is the heart-warming and fabulously entertaining upcoming release from the incredible L. D. Lapinski, author of The Strangeworlds Travel Agency, due out on 30th March 2023.

This is the story of Jamie, a young non-binary student in year 6 who loves nothing more than spending time with their best friends Daisy and Ash. The trio are inseparable… except, when they go into year 7, Daisy will being going to the girls school and Ash will be going to the boys school.

So where does non-binary Jamie fit into this binary? Do they have to ‘pick a side’? What will happen to their friendship as a trio if Jamie has to choose a friend to leave behind?

Trying to raise awareness about non-binary and transgender rights isn’t easy, but Jamie, Ash and Daisy are determined to create positive change. Jamie highlights the discomfort of everyday and unnecessarily gendered acts– which public bathroom do you go; what box do you tick on a non-medical form; and what changing room do you try clothes on in, if you don’t identify with the ‘male’ or ‘female’ gender? What if your identity is somewhere in-between, or outside of, the gender binary?

When Jamie has to chose between a secondary school ‘For Girls’ or ‘For Boys’, enough is enough. Jamie does not want to pretend to be somebody they are not, and so embarks on a campaign to raise awareness of non-binary and transgender identities. All Jamie wants is to be allowed to exist without lying or pretended, and to be respected in their identity: “Whether you make room for us or not, whether you accept us or not, we’re still going to be here. And us existing doesn’t take anything away from you, or make your life more difficult. Making space for me doesn’t mean you have to give up your seat.”

Something truly remarkable about this novel is that at the end of each chapter, Jamie discusses the language and terms used both within this novel and in the world around us. What does LGBT+ mean, where does Pride come from, what does gender dysphoria mean, and what does it mean to be non-binary? This is all discussed in an accessible, relaxed, and sincere way. Readers are encouraged to consider their own gender, and the way they interact with the world around them. Even as an adult, I learned a lot from this book. It is both entertaining and vitally educational.

Reading this novel, I had the sense of how absolutely necessary this book is. The entertaining and informative representation of LGBT+ identities within this novel is uniquely inspiring. There were times when that sense of seeing yourself reflected in a character were extremely moving. For example, when Jamie sees the non-binary flag flying proud, they think: “I hoped that if there was another non-binary person in town today, they would see it. Maybe it would be the first ever time they’d seen it flying too.” I wondered if, for some children, this might be the first non-binary character they read about, and for many, it may be the first time they feel represented in fiction. The thought crossed my mind multiple times during my experience with this novel: this book is going to change children’s lives.

This is a touching, funny, and powerful story about bravery, friendship, and hope for a positive and inclusive future. Jamie reminds us that inclusivity, acceptance, and listening to the LGBT+ community is essential. This novel will warm the hearts of both adults and children alike, and might just be the representation one child needs to push for change in their own area.

Pre-order your copy here.