Lizard Radio
Pat Schmatz
September 8, 2015, Candlewick
9780763676353
Science Fiction, Dystopian
Reading Level: HL610L
Interest Age: 14-17
Annotation: Kivali is neither a boy or a girl, but somewhere in between. She struggles to come to terms with this in a world that rejects anyone who doesn’t fit in the binary.
Plot Summary: In Kivali’s society, people are expected to adhere to strict roles. Unfortunately, Kivali has been far from typical ever since she was found as a baby, wrapped in a t-shirt with a picture of a lizard on it. She passes all of her tests except the gender one, where she ends up right in the middle, neither boy nor girl. Living like this is forbidden, and Kivali is forced to live as one gender, even if it doesn’t feel right. She feels like she doesn’t belong, and waits for the day that lizard people will take her away and claim her as their own. When she is sent to Crop Camp, she finally makes some real friends, but still feels out of place in the world. Lizard Radio is the story of a young person coming to terms with her gender identity in a society that rejects anything beyond the binary.
Critical Evaluation: This book is an excellent portrayal of a nonbinary character. Kivali feels conflicted and like she doesn’t fit in, which most people could relate to in some way. The way that her society views nonbinary people or those attracted to the same gender is reflective of the pressures that these people feel in our own society. I thought that some of the vocabulary in the book was unnecessary. A lot of books that take place in the future tend to choose seemingly arbitrary words for ordinary things, and personally it really takes me out of the story. I don’t think it is too major of a flaw, though. The way that Kivali is portrayed and the insights into her mind more than make up for it. I also loved the concept of “lizard radio” as a private concept Kivali can meditate on and a way for her to feel good about her differences.
Author Biographical Information: Pat grew up in rural Wisconsin and has lived in Michigan, California, and Minnesota. In addition to writing, she’s interested in language study (ASL, Italian, Japanese and Spanish), drawing/cartooning, travel and anything outdoors. She occasionally teaches writing on-line and in person, and is always happy for a chance to visit a middle school or high school classroom. Her #1 favorite hobby, relaxation and adventure has been the same since she was little – stories. Stories in books, music, art, dance – it’s all about the story. (source: patschmatz.com)
Ties to Curriculum Units: none
Booktalking Ideas:
- Discuss the dystopian/authoritarian government in the book and how it affects Kivali
- Discuss what Kivali’s “lizard radio” might be reflective of
Challenge Issues: LGBTQ themes, sexual content, violence
Challenge Defenses:
- Mention awards the item has won or been nominated for
- State the library’s collection development policy
- Reference the ALA’s Library Bill of Rights
- Provide rationale for the item being in the collection
- As a last resort, offer the patron a “Request for Reconsideration” form
Katey's YA Collection 