Symptoms of Being Human

The first thing you’re going to want to know about me is: Am I a boy, or am I a girl?Riley Cavanaugh is many things: Punk rock. Snarky. Rebellious. And gender fluid. Some days Riley identifies as a boy, and others as a girl. The thing is...Riley isn’t exactly out yet. And between starting a new school and having a congressman father running for reelection in uber-conservative Orange County, the pressure—media and otherwise—is building up in Riley’s so-called “normal” life.On the advice of a therapist, Riley starts an anonymous blog to vent those pent-up feelings and tell the truth of what it’s REALLY like to be a gender-fluid teenager. But just as Riley’s starting to settle in at school—even developing feelings for a mysterious outcast—the blog goes viral, and an unnamed commenter discovers Riley’s real identity, threatening exposure. Riley must make a choice: walk away from what the blog has created—a lifeline, new friends, a cause to believe in—or stand up, come out, and risk everything. The first thing youre going to want to know about me is: Am I a boy, or am I a girl? Riley Cavanaugh is many things: Punk rock. Snarky. Rebellious. And gender fluid. Some days Riley identifies as a boy, and others as a girl. The thing isRiley isnt exactly out yet. And between starting a new school and having a congressman father running for reelection in uber-conservative Orange County, the pressuremedia and otherwiseis building up in Rileys so-called normal life. On the advice of a therapist, Riley starts an anonymous blog to vent those pent-up feelings and tell the truth of what its REALLY like to be a gender fluid teenager. But just as Rileys starting to settle in at schooleven developing feelings for a mysterious outcastthe blog goes viral, and an unnamed commenter discovers Rileys real identity, threatening exposure. Riley must make a choice: walk away from what the blog has createda lifeline, new friends, a cause to believe inor stand up, come out, and risk everything. A sharply honest and moving debut perfect for fans of The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Ask the Passengers. Riley Cavanaugh is many things: Punk rock. Snarky. Rebellious. And gender fluid. Some days Riley identifies as a boy, and others as a girl. But Riley isn't exactly out yet. And between starting a new school and having a congressman father running for reelection in über-conservative Orange County, the pressure—media and otherwise—is building up in Riley's life. On the advice of a therapist, Riley starts an anonymous blog to vent those pent-up feelings and tell the truth of what it's really like to be a gender fluid teenager. But just as Riley's starting to settle in at school—even developing feelings for a mysterious outcast—the blog goes viral, and an unnamed commenter discovers Riley's real identity, threatening exposure. And Riley must make a choice: walk away from what the blog has created—a lifeline, new friends, a... Riley is a gender fluid teen living with anxiety. They're at a new school just trying to fit in when they start a blog under the name Alix. They write about what their gender means to them and the blog quickly gains popularity. However, everything starts crashing down on Riley when someone starts sending them anonymous messages threatening to out their true identity. Riley Cavanaugh is many things: Punk rock. Snarky. Rebellious. and gender fluid. Some days Riley identifies as a boy, and others as a girl. As Rileyu struggles with identity she creates a blog on the topic that goes viral, and faces ridicule at the hands of fellow students "A gender-fluid teenager who struggles with identity creates a blog on the topic that goes viral, and faces ridicule at the hands of fellow students"-- Provided by publisher