Felix Yz

Felix Yz is a middle-grade novel told through blog entries written by 13-year-old Felix. Due to a scientific accident in early childhood, Felix has been fused at the atomic level with an alien being called Zyx, who lives inside him. Felix chronicles his daily life as he approaches the risky operation that might separate him from Zyx. He navigates middle school, family dynamics, and his first crush while dealing with the physical challenges of sharing his body with an alien presence. The story takes place over 29 days, counting down to the procedure that could save or end Felix's life. His entries describe his relationships with his gender-fluid grandparent, his piano-teacher mother, his sister, and a boy at school who catches his attention. The novel explores themes of identity, belonging, and what it means to be different. Through Felix's unique situation, the story presents questions about the nature of consciousness and the bonds that form between unlikely companions.

Readers connect with Felix's authentic voice and his experiences as both a disabled and LGBTQ+ teen. The story's diary format and Felix's observations about family, identity, and young love resonate with many middle-grade readers. Liked: - Representation of diverse characters without making diversity the main focus - Blend of sci-fi elements with realistic family dynamics - Humor mixed with serious themes - Natural inclusion of gender identity discussions - Strong supporting characters, especially Felix's family Disliked: - Some found the countdown format created artificial tension - Scientific explanations occasionally interrupt story flow - A few readers wanted more development of the alien aspect Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (2,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (100+ ratings) "The diary entries feel genuine and capture Felix's voice perfectly" - Common Sense Media "Manages to discuss complex topics in an age-appropriate way" - School Library Journal reader review

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🔹 Lisa Bunker wrote Felix Yz as her debut novel, drawing from her experience as a parent of two gender non-conforming children and her own journey as a transgender woman. 🔹 The book uniquely features a "fourth-wall breaking" format, with Felix directly addressing readers through blog posts, creating an intimate connection with his story. 🔹 The protagonist's unusual name, Yz, is pronounced like "is," and represents one of many creative linguistic choices throughout the novel that play with language and meaning. 🔹 The story tackles complex themes of quantum physics and dimensional travel while remaining accessible to middle-grade readers through Felix's relatable voice and everyday experiences. 🔹 The novel includes three different types of love stories: Felix's crush on Hector, his mother's relationship with Vern, and his granmother's romance with her girlfriend - making it one of the first middle-grade books to feature multiple LGBTQ+ characters naturally integrated into the story.