Almost Perfect
AuthorBrian Katcher
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
GenreYoung adult fiction
PublisherDelacorte Books for Young Readers
Publication date
October 13, 2009
Media typePrint (hardcover, paperback)
ISBN9780385736640

Almost Perfect is a young adult novel by Brian Katcher, published October 13, 2009 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers.

The book follows Logan, a high-school senior, who, after discovering his girlfriend cheated on him, befriends the new student, Sage. Logan gradually develops romantic feelings for Sage until she informs him she's transgender. Logan must then work through complicated feelings regarding his attraction to Sage.

Reception

Reviews

Almost Perfect received starred reviews from Kirkus,[1] as well as a positive review from Booklist.[2]

Kirkus Reviews applauded the book for tackling "issues of homophobia, hate crimes and stereotyping with humor and grace in an accessible tone that will resonate with teens."[1] Booklist echoed the sentiment, stating, "Teens—both those familiar with transgender issues and those who are not—will welcome the honest take on a rarely explored subject."[2]

Accolades

Accolades for Almost Perfect
Year Accolade Result Ref.
2010 American Library Association Best Books for Young Adults Selection [3]
American Library Association's Rainbow Project Book List Selection [4]
2011 James Cook Book Award Honor [5]
Stonewall Book Award Winner [6][7]
2012 YALSA's Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults Selection [8]
2013 American Library Association's Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults Selection [9]

Censorship

In a report conducted by the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, Almost Perfect was named the 81st-most banned and challenged book in the United States between 2010 and 2019.[10]

In 2022, Almost Perfect was listed among 52 books banned by the Alpine School District following the implementation of Utah law H.B. 374, “Sensitive Materials In Schools,"[11] 42% of which “feature LBGTQ+ characters and or themes.”[12][13] Many of the books were removed because they were considered to contain pornographic material according to the new law, which defines porn using the following criteria:

  • "The average person" would find that the material, on the whole, "appeals to prurient interest in sex"[14]
  • The material "is patently offensive in the description or depiction of nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement, sadomasochistic abuse, or excretion"[14]
  • The material, on the whole, "does not have serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value."[14]

References

  1. 1 2 "Almost Perfect". Kirkus Reviews. 2010-06-24. Retrieved 2022-01-05.
  2. 1 2 2009-12-08. Retrieved 2022-01-05 – via Booklist.
  3. ↑ "Almost Perfect | Awards & Grants". American Library Association. 2010-01-21. Retrieved 2022-01-05.
  4. ↑ "2010 rainbow project booklist | Awards & Grants". American Library Association. January 11, 2011. Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  5. ↑ "James Cook Book Award". Ohio Library Council. Retrieved 2022-01-05.
  6. ↑ "Almost Perfect | Awards & Grants". American Library Association. January 10, 2011. Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  7. ↑ Morales, Macey (2011-01-10). "'Almost Perfect' wins 2011 Stonewall Children's and Young Adult Literature Award". American Library Association. Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  8. ↑ "Almost Perfect | Awards & Grants". American Library Association. May 2, 2012. Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  9. ↑ "Almost Perfect | Awards & Grants". American Library Association. February 1, 2013. Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  10. ↑ "Top 100 Most Banned and Challenged Books: 2010-2019". Advocacy, Legislation & Issues. 2020-09-09. Retrieved 2022-01-05.
  11. ↑ "Ban on 52 Books in Largest Utah School District is a Worrisome Escalation of Censorship". PEN America. 2022-08-01. Retrieved 2022-08-05.
  12. ↑ "School District Removes 52 Books From Libraries". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 2022-08-05.
  13. ↑ "Ban on 52 Books in Largest Utah School District is a Worrisome Escalation of Censorship". PEN America. 2022-08-01. Retrieved 2022-08-05.
  14. 1 2 3 Mullahy, Brian (2022-07-28). "Alpine School District pulls dozens of books from school library shelves". KUTV. Retrieved 2022-08-05.
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