The book is outstanding! The author seems to have thorough understanding of the subject matter, human nature, psychology and the human condition. It shows excellent character growth and development, and the writing style is easy to read and understand.

Through the eyes of his protagonist, Christopher/Christine, the author takes a serious look at the problems facing a hermaphrodite child and his/her family as the child grows up. Fear, prejudice, and intolerence come from ignorance and a lack of understanding. I learned a lot form this book; everybody could learn a lot from this book. This well written and informative tale will keep your attention until the last page.

Lyle Prosterman, former educator and literature critic

The New Girl, by Edwin Perley, was very interesting and brought new thoughts and ideas because I had never read anything on the subject of hermaphrodites. We all go about our business rarely questioning one's apparent sex, but then to read about this very strange occurrence of people being born with two sex possibilities at birth was mind boggling. The author has written this as if the 12 year old boy is telling his story, so any young adolescent facing this problem of sex transformation should thoroughly enjoy reading how Chris handles each new situation and himself/herself throughout the high school years. It is very well written, easy to read and very informative.

Barbara Beekman

The novel brings to light a situation that is rare but does affect a percentage of the population. When it occurs in a conservative American community, it can seem to those involved, an awfully big percentage. The mental, physical and social struggles that encompass the individual?s day to day life and the affect on the family at large are well-conceived in the unfolding story. The story emphasises the love and concern of those around this individual and intimate choices that inevitably come into this kind of life as the days pass.

The book points out, there is little direct guidance for members of society caught up in an ambiguous sexual status to call on or if there is in fact help somewhere, the topic is so hush-hush they do not get to know about it anyway. In the end the character, whose life has been so devastated, goes public and in doing so, amongst other things, begins to dissipate the stigma of people who come into this world this way.

William Parsons, author

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