Glitch Girl!

A tween assigned male at birth numbs peer and parental rejection by obsessively playing a video game in this melancholy verse novel from Oet (Robin's Worlds). Despite classmates and teachers being aware of J--'s ADHD diagnosis, which is managed via prescription medications, they all assume J--'s lack of impulse control and overexuberance are intentional choices. To cope, J-- plays simulator game Coaster Boss, discovering glitches, modifying theme park rides, and creating avatars resembling classmates as well as self-portraits that serve as park guests. The only person who seems to accept J-- is classmate Junie, on whom J-- has a crush. Set in 2004-2007, the novel follows J-- from fifth to seventh grade as the youth delves further into gaming and fantasizes about dating Junie, despite noticing zero signs that Junie is interested. As J-- continues to struggle socially and endures parental abuse from Jewish Russian immigrant parents, J--'s assigned gender becomes increasingly restrictive to the middle schooler's growing sense of self. Then J-- joins a fencing club, and a new friendship presents unexpected possibilities. Simple language injects immediacy into J--'s narration throughout this raw novel about navigating abuse, gender identity, and experiences of neurodivergence. Main characters read as white. Ages 10-up. (Mar.)

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A turbulent, emotionally wrenching coming-of-age story.