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Bridget Birdsall

Double Exposure Kindle Edition

by Bridget Birdsall (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

37 ratings

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Fifteen-year-old Alyx Atlas was raised as a boy, yet she knows something others don’t. She’s a girl. And after her dad dies, it becomes painfully obvious that she must prove it now—to herself and to the world. Born with ambiguous genitalia, Alyx has always felt a little different. But it’s after she sustains a terrible beating behind a 7-Eleven that she and her mother pack up their belongings and move from California to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to start a new life—and Alyx begins over again, this time as a girl.

Alyx quickly makes new friends, earns a spot on the girls’ varsity basketball team, and for the first time in her life feels like she fits in. That is, until her prowess on the court proves too much for the jealous, hotheaded Pepper Pitmani, who sets out to uncover Alyx’s secret. A dangerous game of Truth or Dare exposes Alyx’s difference and will disqualify her entire basketball team from competing in the state championships unless Alyx can prove, once and for all, that she is a girl. But will Alyx find the courage to stand up for the truth of her personhood, or will she do what she’s always done—run away? Whatever she decides, she knows there’s much more at stake than a championship win.

A stunning debut young adult novel from Bridget Birdsall, Double Exposure brings to light complex gender issues, teenage insecurities, and overcoming all obstacles.

Sky Pony Press, with our Good Books, Racehorse and Arcade imprints, is proud to publish a broad range of books for young readers—picture books for small children, chapter books, books for middle grade readers, and novels for young adults. Our list includes bestsellers for children who love to play Minecraft; stories told with LEGO bricks; books that teach lessons about tolerance, patience, and the environment, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

Reading age

12 years and up
Print length

169 pages
Language

English
Grade level

6 and up
Lexile measure

HL700L
Publisher

Sky Pony
Publication date

November 11, 2014
Page Flip

Enabled
Word Wise

Not Enabled
Enhanced typesetting

Enabled
ISBN-13

978-1510711587
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up—After Alyx is attacked by the school bully, her mother decides they need a fresh start, and Alyx is ready. Born with ambiguous genitalia, Alyx has lived her life as a boy, but knows that her true identity is a girl. Her parents chose to do nothing when Alyx was a baby, not wanting to choose her identity for her. A move to Wisconsin gives her the opportunity to be her true self, a complicated undertaking. Patti, nicknamed "Pepper" because of her hotheadedness, befriends the young woman and encourages her to join the basketball team but quickly starts bullying the teen. When Alyx's identity is called into question, her past comes to light and threatens her basketball eligibility. Though the writing sometimes feels stilted and the story not always believable, the protagonist's feelings and conversations about her identity are poignant. She debates which locker room to use and uses words such as gender fluid, intersex, and genderqueer when she thinks about herself. At her lowest times, she feels neither male nor female or maybe both or like a mutant. Information about doctor's reports, reconstructive surgery, and the way people have treated her provides a complex look at what Alyx has faced and what is ahead. Though the ending feels too tidy, this is an important addition to the small field of books featuring an intersex character.—Amanda MacGregor, formerly at Apollo High School Library, St. Cloud, MN --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.

From the Author

Bridget Birdsall is an author, artist, educator, and inspirational speaker. Despite dyslexic challenges, Bridget made a midlife decision to pursue her dream of writing books that touch hearts, especially those of young people. She earned her MFA in writing for children and young adults from Vermont College and now teaches creative, contemplative, and business writing skills throughout the Midwest. She is the recipient of numerous awards and fellowships and is known as a writer willing to tackle tough topics. Birdsall lives in Madison, Wisconsin. --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.

Review

“Poignant. . . this is an important addition to the small field of books featuring an intersex character.” —School Library Journal

“Informative without being either dry or sensationalistic . . . . This necessary story is warmly told.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Birdsall doesn’t shy away from the complexity of Alyx’s condition . . . creating an unconventional character with whom teens can relate [sic].” —Booklist

“Birdsall demonstrates a remarkable talent for original storytelling . . . . As thoughtful and thought-provoking as it is solidly entertaining from beginning to end, Double Exposure is very highly recommended.” —Midwest Book Review/Reviewer’s Bookwatch

“[Double Exposure] is as valuable for its portrayal of the effects of bullying as for its insights into the experience of being intersex. It belongs in any collection that serves teen readers.” —ALA’s Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Round Table/GLBT Reviews

“Heart wrenching . . . . the powerful coming-of-age novel reflects the triumph of acceptance and equality with the help of unconditional love and support. A simply stunning yet stimulating work of art.” —Planet London

“A slam dunk” —Wisconsin Gazette

“A novel that takes you into the heart of a character and makes you root for her until the very end.” —Teaching Tolerance

“Double Exposure is a poignant, gut-punch of a novel, timely, and full of flashes of dark wit . . . Highly recommended for LGBTQ teens and allies alike. I adored this book!” —Jenn Crowell, author of Necessary Madness

“Goes above and beyond the ordinary . . . . recommended for anyone who enjoys well-written, timely YA.” —Out in Print

"Double Exposure gives the reader double what most novels do, portraying characters that are both bold and tender, raising questions that make you both think and feel deeply, and transporting you into a story that both entertains and inspires. Double thumbs up from me!" —Alex Sanchez, author of Rainbow Boys and Boyfriends with Girlfriends

“Told in clear, straightforward prose, this riveting story of Alyx, and the gauntlet she has to run in order to discover who she truly is, shines a brilliant light on the truth that we are all queer in some way. All of us. In Double Exposure, Bridget Birdsall has given us a story that is courageous, intense and full of heart. It’s a score from the outside, and everyone who reads it wins!” —Kathi Appelt, author of the Newberry Honor winner The Underneath, Keeper, and The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp

"Double Exposure is an important book, the kind that just might save a teen’s life. Alyx captured my heart on page one and never let it go. All Alyx wants is to be herself. Which is what any teen wants. And all teens deserve. Bridget Birdsall has done a wonderful job of capturing a teen’s longing, anguish, courage, and determination. Read this book. It will break your heart—and heal it." —Lesléa Newman, author of October Mourning: A song for Matthew Shepard

“This powerful coming of age story is refreshingly unique, yet wonderfully universal in its portrayal of what it means to be different. With both realism and sensitivity, Bridget Birdsall depicts the tremendous courage required for Alyx to be true to herself. Double Exposure is a triumphant novel about friendship and self-acceptance.” —Yvonne Ventresca, author of Pandemic

“Double Exposure is an important story, poignant and compelling. And it’s a great basketball story as well, rising out of a deep knowledge of the sport. Bridget Birdsall is a writer to watch!” —Marion Dane Bauer, Newbery Honor-winning author of On My Honor

“Intersexuality got the highbrow treatment in Jeffrey Eugenides’ Middlesex, but when it comes to educating the masses, some may want a newer, well-written teenage story — such as . . . Bridget Birdsall’s Double Exposure.”
—OZY --This text refers to the paperback edition.

About the Author

Bridget Birdsall is an author, artist, educator, and inspirational speaker. Despite dyslexic challenges, Bridget made a midlife decision to pursue her dream of writing books that touch hearts, especially those of young peoples. She earned her MFA in writing for children and young adults from Vermont College and now teaches creative, contemplative, and business writing skills throughout the Midwest. She is the recipient of numerous awards and fellowships and is known as a writer willing to tackle tough topics. --This text refers to the paperback edition.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00NS42FCQ
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sky Pony; Reprint edition (November 11, 2014)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 11, 2014
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 1076 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 169 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #1,245,981 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #473 in Teen & Young Adult Fiction about Being a Teen (Kindle Store)
- #1,153 in Teen & Young Adult Fiction on Dating & Sex (Kindle Store)
- #1,157 in Teen & Young Adult Fiction about Being a Teen (Books)

Customer Reviews:
37 ratings

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Bridget Birdsall

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Bridget Birdsall is an author, artist, and educator. Despite dyslexic challenges, Bridget made a midlife decision to pursue her passion to write. She earned her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College and is the recipient of numerous awards and fellowships. Bridget is known as a writer willing to tackle tough topics in literature and in life. Learn more at: bridgetbirdsall.com

Customer reviews

5 star		57%
4 star		24%
3 star		10%
2 star		6%
1 star		3%

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Top reviews from the United States

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julian_irwin

Give this book to all the 14 year olds you know (but read it first yourself!)

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 20, 2015

Verified Purchase

Double Exposure is an outstanding example of contemporary YA fiction. This book should be in high school classrooms across the country. It tackles issues of gender and sexuality through the eyes of a relatable and life-like 16 year old who was born intersex. No book I have read can better convey how contrived our societies gender boundaries are. The book highlights the damaging effects that gender and sexuality related bullying and assault can have on our youth. It also demonstrates how institutions, assumptions and traditions can be just about as damaging as outright bullying when they try to squash adolescents fragile identities into predetermined moulds. All of this carried within Bridget Birdsall’s clear, engaging and sometimes witty writing, and within a basketball championship plot that should be appealing to distractable high school youth. Send this book to school board members near you, and buy a copy for the 14 year olds in your life.

4 people found this helpful

Helpful

Sara Williams

Great characters throughout

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 12, 2014

Verified Purchase

I bought this book for a teenaged grandchild so I read it before I sent it off in the mail. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. Great characters throughout. The author tackles a difficult subject and makes it accessible, gives just enough information to make the the sexual issue clear without overwhelming the reader. By the end, I so wanted this basketball team to win, so admired the lead character, the mom and the scruffy uncle. I know this is a young adult book but this old adult thought it was great.

9 people found this helpful

Helpful

Kelly M. Underwood

Great for kids and adults

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 3, 2020

Verified Purchase

Such a great book! The writer is very talented
I read it to my 7th grader and she is going to share it at her GSA group after school.

Helpful

FJ

Great character development

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 28, 2017

Verified Purchase

Once I finished the book, I felt like I was going to really miss the characters. That's the mark of a good book.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Mallory Waugh

Love

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 13, 2019

Verified Purchase

This novel takes us on a journey of self discovery and acceptance coupled with a love of basketball. Great for teens and adults.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 7, 2018

Verified Purchase

I loved this book. Felt Alyx’s highs and lows. Wanted her to find acceptance and friendship. So great to find a book that kids who are LGBTQ May identify with.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Amazon Customer

Need more books like this one, that tackle tough subjects with honesty and integrity

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 15, 2016

Verified Purchase

Birdsall tackles a tough topic with warmth, honesty and determination. This is a story that needed to be told with compassion and Birdsall has done that. The story is strong, with real character development and a message that is felt not forced.

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

Paola Ýr

Four Stars

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 5, 2017

Verified Purchase

Very good read for teenagers.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Nathan Burgoine

A genuinely effective YA character

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on April 1, 2015

Verified Purchase

On the basis of character alone, this book was worthwhile. Alyx is the first intersex teen I've ever read, and that she has such a genuine voice is a credit to Birdsall's effort. Alyx is facing a struggle I can only begin to imagine: upon reaching puberty, Alyx, who has been living as a boy (thanks to her parents, mostly her late father) despite her protestations that she is a girl, begins to stick out even more than she already did. When her transgender nature is exposed, the bullying drives her to a new town in a new state for a fresh start.

This time, Alyx is going to be who she knows she is - a girl. That she is a girl with ambiguous genitalia is only part of her struggle - she continues to feel like a freak (even moreso than a typical teen), wishes she could have the surgery she so desperately wants, but is stymied for another two years before she can do so - though she begins the hormone treatments she needs to even out her puberty. She joins the basketball team, and is soon a star athlete. She worries about boys. She worries about how girls act. Basically, she's a teen.

Of course, small towns aren't good places to keep secrets. This was one of the only criticisms I can put forth about the book - Alyx is a smart girl. She's clever, knows what's at stake, and is given information early on about another character that she should really have prepared for. Instead, the big bad moment sneaks up on her and her family and it jarred me a bit out of the narrative to have Alyx seem to actively lose her way for a bit. It speaks to the strength of her characterization otherwise that it bothered me, and soon Alyx is back on track.

That small issue aside, I loved the adults in this book as well - they are not perfect, but Alyx does have the support and love of the adults in her life (even if they don't quite "get" her). That was a refreshing change from Queer YA that can sometimes get bogged down in the "everyone is against me" tone. This is not to say that tone is unrealistic, but it can feel as relentless as real life, and sometimes you just want the kid in the story to catch a break with their family. Alyx has a great family, and there's no pulled punches in the reality of how much that means to her.

Ultimately, this is a hopeful book, and I'm glad to have read it.

Aunt Annie

Close to great

Reviewed in Australia 🇦🇺 on March 20, 2018

Verified Purchase

The larger part of this book is so realistic it hurts. But I found it ultimately a little unsatisfying. Pepper’s dad’s turnaround is simply unbelievable, and in the end we want to know more about where Alyx’s relationships go and less about the basketball results. There was so much left to explore, and a number of loose ends simply forgotten about. Sigh. I’m glad I read it, anyway.

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