The Day Joanie Frankenhauser Became a Boy - Hardcover

Francess Lantz is the author of more than thirty-five books for young readers, including the Luna Bay surfer girl series. She lives in Santa in California.

Gr. 4-6. Fifth-grader Joanie Frankenhauser loves sports, but she feels that the boys in her school don't give her an even chance when she plays football and other games with them. After she moves to a new school and discovers that her first name has been misprinted as John, Joanie decides not to correct her teacher. She is delighted when she is invited to join in the boy's games, and she finds that she can even write her action stories about the adventures of Superkid without her teacher thinking that she is obsessed with violence. Things become complicated, though, after Joanie joins a group led by Zane, the school bully. Worse still, puberty looms. Joanie -finally unmasks her true identity when Zane tries to lead an attack on another girl. Lantz nicely blends insights into the world of boys and girls on the edge of adolescence with a portrait of a loving family. Joanie learns a lot of lessons during her time as a boy, but along with the lessons, young readers will find an entertaining story. Todd Morning
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