“Julie Swanson’s prose simultaneously aches and sings in North of Tomboy. This is a book for any kid who has felt out of place in their own skin or misunderstood by adults, however well-meaning they may be. Jess is a character who is both compelling, complicated, and determined to make the world see her for who she really is. Reminiscent of Judy Blume's work, this coming-into-one's-own story is both universal and searingly specific.”—Skyler Schrempp, author of Three Strike Summer

“Spot-on in the voice of a nine-year-old, this lively story both recreates an era when the 'battle of the sexes' was fought on a tennis court and plunges readers deep into the joy of Michigan’s woods and lakes as it explores the distress of a girl who feels like a boy inside. Kids will love it!”—Dori Jones Yang, author of The Forbidden Temptation of Baseball

“For anyone who has been told they can’t do something or they can’t be who they feel they are, North of Tomboy is a book that understands.”—Kathryn Erskine, author of National Book Award winner, Mockingbird

“Julie Swanson offers a powerful voice that captures the uncontrived nature of a young girl faced with the dilemma of loving her family but also being unwilling to accept the life that they are offering her. Our heroine admirably captures our hearts as she makes her way with openness, honesty, and creativity in the face of hardship.”—Kim Hudson, author of The Virgin’s Promise and The Bridge

“This story taught me a lot about the importance of meeting people where they are. The main character creatively and yet realistically copes with what she’s going through in her family and in her discomfort with her gender and the gender roles available to her.”—Dr. Daniel Price, PsyD, clinical psychologist