I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST by Mason Deaver
Mason Deaver’s I Wish You All the Best was my favorite YA read of 2019, and Transgender Day of Visibility seems like a good day to revisit it.
This book is the coming of age story I wish I’d had to give to my non-binary teen when they were in high school. The protagonist, Ben De Backer, is a queer, non-binary teen who’s finding their way after a gutting rejection by their parents in the book’s early pages. While I was in tears within the first few pages, ultimately, Ben’s story is one of resilience and hope.
Despite the devastating loss of their natural support network, over the course of the book, Ben builds a stronger one. When their parents kick them out, Ben moves in with their estranged sister Hannah and her high school teacher husband, Tom. Both of them are eager to support Benji, even if they’re sometimes out of their depth.
Benji’s understandable loneliness, anxiety, and fear of opening up, are mitigated by the emotional work they do and the loving community they cultivate over time. With Hannah's encouragement, Ben works with a therapist, and finds solace in their gift for art. They also have a wonderful nonbinary bestie and mentor in online friend, Mariam, who’s provided a lifeline at times when their world has been devoid people who understand them.
The brightest spot of all is their growing relationship with Nathan. A fellow student at their new school, Nathan is the most patient and sunshine-y of love interests; he lightens every page he's on. With Nathan’s relentless encouragement, Benji builds a larger network of friendships with people who prove themselves worthy of Benji’s truth.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Content Warnings: Parental Abuse, Misgendering (both accidental and purposeful), Transphobia, Homophobia, Anxiety & Panic Attacks, Depressive Episodes, Suicidal Thoughts, and Underage Drinking.
