GIRLMODE

New girl Phoebe Zito finds herself torn between cliques, boys, and different ways to be a girl.

Phoebe, a transgender 16-year-old, has just moved to California from the East Coast. She initially befriends nerdy outcast Ben Wheelock, but soon queen bee Mackenzie Ishikawa notices Phoebe and takes her on as a friend—and a project, partly out of her (subconsciously transphobic) desire to teach her how to be a girl. (Fans of the 1995 version of Clueless will instantly recognize the inspiration—starting with the book’s cover.) In addition to a makeover, Mackenzie offers an introduction to feminism that provides information that many readers need to hear. Phoebe starts dating, but heartthrob Ethan Rackley is a stickler for gender roles, while nice guy Ben seems a little too into her transness. Meanwhile, Mackenzie is cast as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors and comes to relate to the character’s struggle to survive. Despite some ups and downs, Mackenzie and Phoebe slowly learn how to be real friends to each other, come of age as young women, and deal with largely the same hurdles through the lenses of their cis and trans identities and experiences. This exploration of young womanhood will ring true to many who currently are or have been teen girls. The cute and colorful art features appealing character designs. Phoebe and Ben present white, Mackenzie is cued Japanese American, and Ethan reads Black.

A positive and insightfully honest exploration of teen girlhood.