This story is told through the narrative voice of fifteen-year old Regan. There is a lot to deal with and if Regan is going to have her own life, she’s got a lot to figure out. Regan wants her own life, and struggles to let go of her hold on Liam. But, with Regan’s obligation to Liam it makes it difficult for her to connect with others, especially now that Liam is “testing the waters” as he contemplates coming out to the world as Luna.

At school, Regan is placed with a new lab partner in science class, and she is overtaken by her attraction for him. She loves her brother and it pains her to know how unhappy Liam is not to be the female he feels he is inside. She is committed to protecting Liam’s transgender identity. Regan shares other family memories as she struggles to understand how she is the only one that knows Liam’s secret. And, the father is too busy presuming roles for his children that he does not see who they actually are and what they want for their own lives. The family dynamics are strained as Regan’s mother is too busy to pay anyone much attention, and through Regan’s narration the reader learns that the mother likely over uses prescription drugs.

Though Liam protests, his dad cajoles him into going. This morning Liam’s dad surprises him, explaining that he had talked to Coach Hewitt and wants Liam to sign up for the baseball team. The busy morning routine has Regan’s mom on the phone sorting out her wedding planning business, and her dad goes through his ritual of reading the paper and telling corny jokes. Liam is an academic whiz and computer genius, and as he eats breakfast he studies Physics. It is now morning, and the two siblings are getting ready for school, Luna is now back to dressing as Liam. Regan shares a childhood memory of playing house and Liam pleads with Regan to play the daddy part so he can be the mommy. Through Regan’s narration the reader learns that Luna, once called Lia Marie, is Regan’s older brother Liam. It’s something that Regan is used to, and clearly something Luna relishes. A regular nighttime routine – Luna uses Regan’s room for dressing up. Luna wakes Regan in the middle of the night.

The story begins in the basement bedrooms of two teen siblings. Regan keeps her brother’s transgender identity a secret, but when he begins to “test the waters,” life gets even more complicated.

Luna by julie anne peters