Felix Ever After
on Goodreads (64,306)
What’s inside...
From Stonewall and Lambda Award-winning author Kacen Callender comes a revelatory YA novel about a transgender teen named Felix Love who grapples with identity and self-discovery while experiencing his first love. Despite being proud of his identity, Felix fears his multiple marginalizations may prevent him from finding happiness. The situation complicates when an anonymous student sends him transphobic messages and publicly exposes his deadname. Felix plans revenge, but things take an unexpected turn, leading to a quasi-love triangle. Through the twists and turns of his emotions, Felix embarks on a journey of self-discovery, ultimately learning to redefine how he feels about himself. 'Felix Ever After' is a layered story about identity, love, and deserving to be loved, recognized as a Stonewall Honor Book.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
14-17
Length
368 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Felix feels when he's trying to discover his true identity?
How do the reactions of others impact Felix throughout the story?
In what ways do Felix's friendships change over the course of the book?
What did you learn from Felix's journey about acceptance and love?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use open-ended questions to encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the book’s themes.
Relate the struggles or achievements of Felix to similar situations your child might have faced to foster a deeper connection to the story.
Discuss the importance of empathy and understanding diverse perspectives, drawing examples from Felix's interactions with other characters.
Highlight the growth of characters throughout the book to show the impact of personal development and self-acceptance.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Self-acceptance
Explanation: Felix Ever After explores the journey of self-discovery and acceptance through the main character, Felix, who navigates the complexities of identity as a transgender individual.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of embracing their own uniqueness and differences, fostering self-esteem and personal growth in their everyday interactions.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: The book addresses the challenges and misunderstandings that can arise from people's perceptions of gender identity, prompting characters to develop empathy.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to be considerate and open-minded towards others who may have different life experiences and perspectives, promoting inclusiveness in social settings.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: Felix faces numerous challenges but continuously strives to overcome them, highlighting his resilience.
Real-World Application: Children learn to persist and maintain a positive outlook despite difficulties, equipping them with the mindset to tackle obstacles in their own lives.
Example Lesson: The value of support systems
Explanation: The narrative shows Felix finding solace and support from friends and communities, emphasizing the importance of having a supportive network.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the significance of building and maintaining relationships that provide support and understanding throughout various challenges.