Girl, Hero - A Teen Book with a Cross-Dressing Parent

By Carrie Jones

Lily's a freshman in high school, and she just landed a lead in the school musical. But her mom's alcoholic boyfriend is a touchy freak. Her sister's showing up bruised because her husband hits her, and Lily's dad is slowly coming out about being a cross-dresser.

To deal, Lily starts writing letters. To John Wayne. Okay, she knows he's a dead movie star, but he was a hero... and maybe she can figure out how to be one, too.

I love what the Carrie said about this book on her website:

I wanted to write a book about a girl who has had a lot of crud happen to her but still found her way to be a hero, not a super big movie hero, not an over-the-top black lycra-wearing, kick-Vampire-butt hero, but a hero to herself. I wanted to write a book about a girl who was tired of being a victim.

Thanks to blog reader Christine for the recommendation! And please add your review of "Girl, Hero" in comments.