by Andrea K.

Let me just say I am in love with this book! The characters are so realistic and have such so much pain in their teenage lives; I just want to hug both of them.

Timothy was born a boy but he knows he is really Lily. His mom and sister understand and want to support him, but ultimately, it is up to his dad to pay for Timothy/Lily’s hormone shots. Before summer ends, Lily makes friends with the new guy in town named Norbert. Norbert is a self-described big, clumsy oaf from New Jersey and he hates his name. Because the pair met at Dunkin Donuts, Lily decides she will call Norbert “Dunkin.” When Dunkin gets recruited for the varsity basketball team, he, of course, has to hang out with the jocks and ignore the “little freak.” Feelings are hurt and neither Lily nor Dunkin like what is going on.

Set in the hot summer of Florida, Lily takes advantage of wearing her mom’s dresses and sandals. Dunkin had no idea how amazingly hot Florida really is, especially coming from New Jersey.

My favorite character is Lily because of his compassion for other people, especially the new kids at school. She knows how much it hurts to be bullied so she makes it a point to always be kind and considerate of other people’s feelings.  In fact, Lily reminds me a lot of a person I work with. Like Lily, my co-worker got bullied a lot for his decisions but he is the nicest person, overall.

The ultimate message of Lily and Dunkin is to be compassionate and understanding of others. Bullies really suck and can leave permanent damage! There is name-calling and insults but there is no bad language.  Lily and Dunkin definitely promotes the correct way to treat friends in the end. The book stresses we don’t need to judge one another just because we don’t see eye to eye. Be okay with one another, and be compassionate and kind!

I will gladly give this wonderful, beautiful book all the praise and adoration it totally deserves. I’ve been bullied before, and I know how much it hurts.  Like I said earlier, I just want to hug both Lily and Dunkin and let them both know everything is going to be okay. I am giving this book five stars!!!

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