None of the Above by I.W. Gregorio

Title: None of the Above
Author: I.W. Gregorio
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publication date: April 7, 2015
Pages: 352
Source/format: Library/Hardcover

Rating: ☆☆☆☆1/2

Synopsis (from Goodreads.com): 

A groundbreaking story about a teenage girl who discovers she was born intersex... and what happens when her secret is revealed to the entire school. Incredibly compelling and sensitively told, None of the Above is a thought-provoking novel that explores what it means to be a boy, a girl, or something in between.

What if everything you knew about yourself changed in an instant?

When Kristin Lattimer is voted homecoming queen, it seems like another piece of her ideal life has fallen into place. She's a champion hurdler with a full scholarship to college and she's madly in love with her boyfriend. In fact, she's decided that she's ready to take things to the next level with him.  But Kristin's first time isn't the perfect moment she's planned—something is very wrong. A visit to the doctor reveals the truth: Kristin is intersex, which means that though she outwardly looks like a girl, she has male chromosomes, not to mention boy "parts."

Dealing with her body is difficult enough, but when her diagnosis is leaked to the whole school, Kristin's entire identity is thrown into question. As her world unravels, can she come to terms with her new self?

My Thoughts:

Kristin (Krissy) Lattimer finds out she is intersex when she takes the next step in her relationship with her boyfriend, Max. However, a close friend tells her boyfriend about Krissy's condition. Krissy being intersex spreads like wildfire at school and most people are not open to who Krissy is.

I.W. Gregorio not only educated me in what intersex means but she also touched upon bullying at school. Teenagers can be cruel. Most of the time it's because they are jealous, they feel better if they put others down or it's because they don't fully understand what it is like to be in someone's shoes. Most people don't know what intersex is so instead of educating themselves about what it means to be intersex, people come up with their own conclusions of what it means. What I found refreshing is the fact that Krissy's father supported Krissy throughout the whole book. I don't often find books where the parents are supportive of their children and are seen in a positive light.

I am disappointed in Max and the way he treats Krissy. If he is going to be so closed minded, then he doesn't deserve Krissy at all. Darren on the other hand is more open minded but he was never that open minded when he was younger. Because of Darren's father coming out when Darren was younger, it has helped Darren become more accepting of others.

Gregorio was meant to meet the intersex patient she had in order to tell the story of what it means to be intersex. Gregorio is meant to educate everyone about what intersex means. She does not gloss over terminology and she accurately explains everything to the reader so the reader fully understands what Krissy is learning and experiencing.

None of the Above is an emotional coming-of-age story about self-discovery. Krissy is strong and overcomes many obstacles throughout her last year of high school. With her father, her close friends, her doctors and a few members from a support group, Krissy is able to charge and to reach higher. None of the Above is an important book for everyone to read. Gregorio's debut novel is well written and I look forward to reading future books by her.