Birthday

Morgan and Eric meet every year on their shared birthday, September 16th. Their annual tradition marks the milestones of their lives from age 13 to 18 in Tennessee, with each chapter taking place on that single day. Morgan faces questions of gender identity while navigating high school, family relationships, and a connection with Eric that grows more complex each year. Eric deals with pressures from his father, expectations about football, and his evolving understanding of Morgan. The story alternates between Morgan's and Eric's perspectives across their teenage years. Through snapshots of six birthdays, their individual journeys and intertwined relationship emerge against the backdrop of a small Southern town. The novel examines themes of identity, friendship, and self-acceptance through the lens of two teens moving toward adulthood. It presents a story about finding courage to live authentically while maintaining bonds with those who matter most.

Readers appreciate the authentic portrayal of gender identity and transition, with many noting the book helped them understand transgender experiences. The dual-perspective narrative structure and focus on friendship resonates with YA audiences. Multiple reviews mention crying while reading. Common praise: - Natural, believable dialogue - Strong character development over the years - Handles complex themes without feeling heavy-handed Main critiques: - Some find the romance predictable - A few readers wanted more depth from secondary characters - Pacing issues noted in middle sections Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (5,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (180+ ratings) "This book made me feel seen in a way few others have" - Goodreads reviewer "The year-by-year structure really shows how people grow and change" - Amazon review "Wished for more complexity in the parents' reactions" - BookishFirst review

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🎂 Author Meredith Russo drew from her own experiences as a transgender woman to create an authentic portrayal of the main character Morgan's journey. 💫 The novel's unique structure follows two friends on their shared birthday across six years, giving snapshots of their evolving relationship and individual growth. 📚 "Birthday" was named one of Seventeen Magazine's Best YA Books of 2019 and received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews. 🌈 The book takes place in a small Tennessee town, reflecting Russo's own background growing up in the American South and the specific challenges LGBTQ+ youth face in conservative communities. 💝 Though the story tackles serious themes like gender identity and suicide, Russo deliberately included moments of joy and triumph to show transgender readers that happiness and love are possible.