Not Otherwise Specified

Gr 9 Up—High school junior Etta juggles many identities, none of which seem to fit quite right. She's bisexual, but shunned by her group of friends, the self-named Disco Dykes, who can't forgive her for dating a boy. She has an eating disorder, but never weighs little enough to qualify as officially anorexic. She's a dancer, but just tap these days, not ballet, because as a short, curvy, African American teen, she doesn't seem to have the right look for ballet. She feels like she's never enough—not gay enough, straight enough, sick enough, or healthy enough. More than anything, she just wants to get out of Nebraska and hopes auditioning for the prestigious Brentwood arts high school will be her ticket to New York. A rehearsal group introduces her to Bianca, a quiet (and extremely sick) 14 year old from her eating disorder support group. Together, they prepare for the auditions and form a surprising friendship, one that embraces flaws, transcends identities, and is rooted in genuine caring. Moskowitz masterfully negotiates all of the issues, never letting them overwhelm the story, and shows the intersectionality of the many aspects of Etta's identity. The characters here are imperfect and complicated, but ultimately hopeful. Moskowitz addresses issues like biphobia, race, class, privilege, friendship, and bullying in ways that feel organic to the story. Etta's candid and vulnerable narrative voice will immediately draw in readers, making them root for her as she strives to embrace her identity free from labels and expectations.—Amanda MacGregor, formerly at Apollo High School Library, St. Cloud, MN