Lily and Dunkin is a heartwarming story about a boy named Tim, who is really a girl named Lily, and a boy named Norbert who just wants to fit in. Six days before school starts back up, Lily is “practicing” being the real her by putting on a dress. It is at this time that she first sees Norbert. There is an instant and inexplicable connection. Later that same day they meet, but this time Norbert sees Lily as Tim. Norbert hates his name, so without learning his name, Lily gives him the nickname Dunkin because of his apparent love of Dunkin' Donuts. Despite this early connection, their friendship never blossoms because of the Neanderthals who bully Lily. Dunkin just wants to fit in, so he jumps at the chance to be a part of the popular crowd,
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It addresses contemporary issues that we are facing, such as the “bathroom bills” making their way through various courts in this country. While Lily never tries to fight for entry into the girl's locker, she does express her discontent with being in the boy's locker. The attack on Lily in the boy's locker shows the dangers that transgender students face regularly. Additionally, many people still treat those with mental disorders as subhuman. Even while on medication, or otherwise stable, many will treat them as if they are completely useless or about to break. Dunkin is so ashamed about being bipolar that he is ashamed to admit it to anyone and it winds up forcing him into not taking his medication or reaching out for help. Beyond being transgender or bipolar, Lily and Dunkin show the difficulty of being in middle school in general. Dunkin is the new kid in town and has to decide between true friends or popular ones, a choice with which many students would struggle. I think many children would make the same choice as Dunkin and would have also joined in on teasing Lily in order to fit in with them. However, by reading about it in these circumstances, perhaps it will encourage others to make better choices. Like Lily and Dunkin, make it can inspire other to simply be themselves or to accept others as
It addresses contemporary issues that we are facing, such as the “bathroom bills” making their way through various courts in this country. While Lily never tries to fight for entry into the girl's locker, she does express her discontent with being in the boy's locker. The attack on Lily in the boy's locker shows the dangers that transgender students face regularly. Additionally, many people still treat those with mental disorders as subhuman. Even while on medication, or otherwise stable, many will treat them as if they are completely useless or about to break. Dunkin is so ashamed about being bipolar that he is ashamed to admit it to anyone and it winds up forcing him into not taking his medication or reaching out for help. Beyond being transgender or bipolar, Lily and Dunkin show the difficulty of being in middle school in general. Dunkin is the new kid in town and has to decide between true friends or popular ones, a choice with which many students would struggle. I think many children would make the same choice as Dunkin and would have also joined in on teasing Lily in order to fit in with them. However, by reading about it in these circumstances, perhaps it will encourage others to make better choices. Like Lily and Dunkin, make it can inspire other to simply be themselves or to accept others as