Man O' War
by
Cory McCarthy
Edition
Hardcover edition
Publisher
Penguin Random House
Imprint
Dutton
ISBN
9780593353707
POTENTIALLY SENSITIVE AREAS
Discrimination: Gender Identity , Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco: Underage Use , Language: Homophobic Slur , Language: Strong Language , Sexual Content: Sexual Harassment , Sexual Content: Strong Sexual Content/Themes , Violence: Self-Harm
An achingly honest and frequently hilarious coming-of-age novel about an Arab American trans swimmer fighting to keep their head above water in a landlocked Midwestern town.
River McIntyre has grown up down the street from Sea Planet, an infamous marine life theme park slowly going out of business in small-town Ohio. When a chance encounter with a happy, healthy queer person on the annual field trip lands River literally in the shark tank, they must admit the truth: they don’t know who they are—only what they’ve been told to be. This sets off a wrenching journey of self-discovery, from internalized homophobia and gender dysphoria, through layers of coming out, affirmation surgery, and true freakin’ love.
Content advisory. “For Trans, Queer and Questioning Folk." “For Dinosaurs."
POTENTIALLY SENSITIVE AREAS
Discrimination: Gender Identity , Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco: Underage Use , Language: Homophobic Slur , Language: Strong Language , Sexual Content: Sexual Harassment , Sexual Content: Strong Sexual Content/Themes , Violence: Self-Harm
Details
Format
Page Count
336
Trim Size
8 1/2" x 5 1/2"
Dewey
F
AR
0: points 0
Lexile
HL690L
Genre
Fic
Scholastic Reading Counts
0
JLG Release
Sep 2022
Book Genres
Realistic Fiction, Romance
Topics
Gender identity. Swimming. Arab Americans. Ocean life. Theme parks. Teenagers. LGBTQ.
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Cover Art
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Praise & Reviews
Praise & Reviews
School Library Journal
School Library Journal
Library Journal
Gr 9 Up—Swim team phenom River McIntyre is caustic, impulsive, infinitely angry, and at war with the world—and with themselves. River feels as trapped in small-town Ohio, and in their own body, as the ocean life at the local marine life theme park, SeaPlanet, must feel. It's at SeaPlanet where River first encounters nonbinary former classmate Indy, and River's world shifts, beginning to tentatively grapple with their internalized homophobia and self-destructive, self-negating survival tactics. The story follows River from sophomore year of high school to adulthood, skipping large intervals of time, a risky narrative tactic that McCarthy employs successfully. River's identity and labels change as years pass, but they remain adrift and aching, drowning in dysphoria and trauma responses. River cobbles together a wonderful chosen family, Indy comes and goes, and River briefly becomes a national sensation when a college newspaper article goes viral about River, now identifying as trans, not being allowed on the men's swim team. In this intimate and deeply character-driven story, the exceptional writing exquisitely captures River's cutting but self-protective voice. River is both venomous and vulnerable as they learn that life is about explorations, not definitions, and that coming out is not a linear process. Though this is an intense and often painful read, McCarthy makes it clear that there is joy and love to be found in moving from the captivity of anger and pain to the liberation of being able to be exactly who you are. VERDICT Equal parts heartbreaking and heartwarming, this is a poignant, affirming story.—Amanda MacGregor
Grades 11 & Up
Mature Young Adults Plus
For Grades 11 & Up
Filled with stimulating nonfiction and can't-put-it-down fiction, this category is perfect for bridging the gap between young adult and adult reading. Take note: these 14 selections often contain mature situations and language that could be considered controversial.
14 books per Year
$285.46 per Year
Interests
Diversity,Fiction,Mature Readers,LGBTQ+,Novels,Realistic Fiction
Grades 11 & Up
Mature Young Adults Plus
14 books per Year
$285.46 per Year
