But maybe if he waited out these years in boys’ clothes and short hair, he would grow up enough to want to be a woman. From Sam's experiences as a bacha posh (you should really read about this if it is unfamiliar) transgender boy: It is wonderful to see a non-contemporary book tackle teen 'issues' in such a sensitive and often heart-breaking way. Woven with Spanish, legends, family dynamics and lunar references, this is a special book, a very different kind of YA that is as important as it is magical. This is, ultimately, a book of friendship and love between the Latina Miel and Samir, an Italian-Pakistani trans boy. It took some getting used to and that's the reason I didn't rate higher, but once I settled into the style of the novel, I was whisked away into Miel and Samir's world. The plot is a little hard to follow at times, largely because of the ethereal nature of the writing and the uncertainty over what is actually happening and what is metaphorical. It's a story driven almost exclusively by its characters and their struggles. Full of gorgeous writing, unforgettable characters and respect for culture and cultural traditions, this book just dazzles.

When the Moon Was Ours is a magical realism novel - possibly my favourite genre - and as such, most of the story straddles the line between reality and the fantastical. A beautiful book, all the way from its dedication to the author's note at the end (which is a must read).

Wild beauty anna marie mclemore