About this book
Ethan is an anxiety-ridden loner who relies on medication to get through his day. During one of Ethan's fairly frequent panic attacks, a girl from school named Gabriella comes to his rescue. Gabe, as she prefers to be known, is facing her own inner turmoil. She has always been a tomboy, but the more pressure she faces to act and dress "like a girl," the more she wonders just who she really is.When he learns that Gabe is being constantly harassed at school, Ethan discovers he is able to overcome his own fears in order to stand up for his new friend. Then Gabe finds a disturbing note in her locker, and the threats begin to escalate. Ethan confronts the person responsible, but things take an unexpected turn, and he suddenly finds himself being questioned by police, accused of assault. With a dose of courage and a surprising ally, the two friends come up with a plan to set things right and end up discovering who they really are along the way. This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read! The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.
Censorship history
In 2024, "Identify" by Lesley Choyce was banned at the school level in several districts across the United States, primarily due to its LGBTQ+ and sexual content. Notably, a formal complaint was filed by a parent in the Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland, leading to a school board vote that upheld the ban. This decision sparked protests from local LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, who argued for the book's educational value and relevance to students' experiences. The ban remains contested in various districts, reflecting ongoing debates about the appropriateness of LGBTQ+ themes in school curricula.
Bans
| Country | Year | Reasons |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 2024 | LGBTQ+Sexual |
