Lucy, Uncensored

by Mel Hammond, Teghan Hammond

A road trip through gender identity, self-expression, and the thorny process of figuring out where you fit after high school as an out-and-proud transgender teen.

Lucy imagines college as more than a chance to party with other drama nerds and be roommates with her best friend Callie. College will be her fresh start. For the first time, she'll be able to introduce herself as Lucy to people she hasn't gone to school with since kindergarten. Plus, she happens to live an hour away from one of the most prestigious theater programs in the country. She's always dreamed of going to Central, but when she finally has a chance to visit, it's not what she imagined.

While Lucy and Callie are on their campus tour, two kids from their high school make the typical transphobic comments Lucy's gotten used to in her small town. She starts to worry that her dream school might end up being High School 2.0. What if she belongs somewhere else? Somewhere that she can truly have a fresh start?

When Lucy finds a beautiful school with a great theater program on a list of the most LGBTQ+ friendly colleges, it seems like fate—except that the school is hundreds of miles away. And there's something unexpected about it's a women's college. As far as she can tell, they've never admitted a trans woman. Will they let Lucy in? There’s only one way to find out: road trip!

Genres: Young Adult, LGBT, Romance, Contemporary, Queer, Transgender, Coming Of Age

Unknown Binding

First published October 8, 2024

About the author

Mel lives in Madison, Wisconsin, where she writes books in a rainbow-painted room. Besides writing, she loves walking in the woods and eating dairy-free ice cream.

Reviews

[Aster]

in which a transgender teen and her cis best friend, senior theater nerds who plan on attending the same college drama program, question if there’s anywhere the teen can truly fit in when their queer adaptation of The Tempest gets banned by the school board and transphobic comments make them question their dream school
more trans girls in YA!!

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me when a book with a trans main character has transphobia: shocked pikachu face

Anyway, this book is lovely. It felt real to the lived trans experience I know while giving characters to love and root for. More people should definitely be talking about it.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A moving YA debut featuring Lucy, an out and proud trans senior high teen girl and her best friend, Callie who try to produce and star in a queer school play only to have it get censored and banned by their transphobic small town school community. Frustrated and excited to escape to college where they can be more openly themselves, the two embark on a road trip to check out an all-girls liberal arts college hoping it will provide a safe place of acceptance. Tackling some tough topics from transphobia, gender identity and sexual assault/violence, this book is an eye-opening but ultimately uplifting #ownvoices story by a new sister writing duo. Good on audio too with an author's note included at the end. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!

[Spiri Skye · Rating 4 out of 5]

would be five stars for meatball but I feel like Lucy was an awful friend at times and it wasn’t really talked about. trans rep was great in this book and I love how they did the play

[Star · Rating 3 out of 5]

Content warnings: transphobia, outing, alcohol consumption/underage drinking, drug usage.

Rep: Lucy (MC) is white, trans girl, and sexuality questioning. Callie (SC) is cis, white, and bisexual. Side trans characters, side POC characters.


I do need more trans girl books in my life. Lucy was a great character to read about. I adored the plot, the pacing, and the characters.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved hearing Lucy’s perspective and glimpsing the world of a trans girl applying for college, the anxiety of gender markers not matching, etc.


But man are theater kids annoying! (Yes I am legally allowed to say that because I was one)

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let's start with the good. Most of the story is good. Most of this review is good. I loved Lucy and Callie and how messy and ridiculous they were. They're a little bit cringy but I think that that is part of teenagedom and I really really really love getting a trans girl main character written by a trans woman. That is the representation I am looking for. It is sorely lacking within trans books and I love that we're getting a YA story.

Now, this book is a little bit all over the place but the main premise is that Lucy and Callie are best friends and they're trying to figure out where they want to go to college. They're going to put on this play for their senior year of high school and they're using it as an audition to a local college. But when a college visit goes wrong, Lucy starts looking elsewhere because she wants somewhere where she can blend in and that leads her to a women's college many hours away. When she and Callie take a secret weekend trip to visit the college, Lucy is in love with the way no one questions her gender and she is able to be as free as possible while keeping a part of herself a secret. When the visit ends poorly, she and Callie don't know what to do.

At the same time they're fighting some restriction and bullshit from the school board about their very trans very queer play they're putting on. So there's the discussion of book bans and political correctness going awry and shitty parents trying to ban any identity that is in cishet.

As a whole this book is about friendship and about transness in about living authentically. It really is a celebration of friendship and I love that.

I think for a debut this is a fantastic book. I love that these two sisters wrote it in order to stay in contact during difficult times. Especially appreciate the focus on nurturing and celebrating your platonic relationships as well as conversations about what it really means to live out and proud and whether or not that is a safe reality for people.

I do think this is a little bit all over the place but it doesn't necessarily feel clunky it just felt like you didn't know where the book was going which is an odd thing to happen during a YA contemporary. The only other thing that I didn't love was some of the cringiness and phrases that felt like they were trying a bit too hard to channel their inner teenage girl. I just feel like the phrase booty bump isn't one that's being used on a regular basis but maybe I'm wrong. I do look forward to reading reviews from actual teenagers and the actual audience directed from this book so take my review with a grain of salt.

I will say that I will happily read anything these two release in the future and look forward it.

Trans girl MC who is questioning her sexuality, cis bisexual SC.

[Alex (Pucksandpaperbacks)]

TW: Outing, Transphobia, Deadnaming (mentioned and alluded to but the name is not on-page); unsupportive parent but comes around in the end, mention and detail of smoking weed, underage drinking, alcohol; a graphic scene where she is outed & the love interest is transphobic and shouts transphobic language at her (this is challenged and called out by other characters); cancer

I was sent a complimentary review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

Lucy, Uncensored is a YA contemporary coming-of-age novel following a teenage trans girl, Lucy in her senior year of high school. She loves theater (specifically directing) and is attached to the hip with her best friend, Callie. When a college trip to their dream school, Central isn't what they imagined, the girls become uncertain of their college plans that have been set in stone for most of their life. When Lucy finds a women's college, Botetourt has an excellent theater program and would be a fresh start for her to get out of her small town in Central Pennsylvania, the girls embark on a road trip. During their visit at Botetourt, they fall in love with it for the theater program and learn it's filled with LGBTQ+ and trans students. But the school still has a long way to go with their inclusion of trans and non-binary students. Plus, they've never had a trans girl enroll before. Protests begin while the girls are on campus, making Lucy hesitant if Botetourt is the right fit for her.

Overall, I enjoyed the joy Lucy experiences while she's being hit with a lot of difficult decisions and learning how hard it is to be trans and be out. For Lucy, she wants to be stealth, but learns how risky and difficult it can be. This book is joyous and will make you smile but it's not a light book as there are many instances of transphobia that Lucy faces from her peers, her father, and a boy at Botetourt. There's also a storyline where the Shakespearean play she and Callie rewrote to be more LGBTQ+ and trans focused + directed gets shut down by the school board.

*Spoiler, but please read if you're sensitive to reading transphobia.

There's a scene where she is messaging on Instagram with a boy, Ian who's mother works in the theater department at the women's college. However, she doesn't disclose that she is a teenager in high school whereas Ian is going into his senior year of college. Wanting to be stealth, she lies and tells Ian she's planning to transfer from Central (the college nearest to her) and attend Botetourt. While in person, she and Ian are intimate in make-out sessions. Lucy is outed when she has to pick up her wallet that she lost from the campus Lost & Found, but since her license and I.D. are not up to date with her current name and gender marker, she's forced to say her deadname out loud. Ian reacts very erratic and aggressive, spewing transphobic remarks toward Lucy. The characters around them do challenge this and call out Ian and the security guard's behavior. However, this scene made me wildly uncomfortable as Lucy doesn't learn much from this situation. It makes me wonder why the authors chose to add this into the story. I acknowledge this does happen to trans folks and trans woman, especially but there's really no learning lesson from this. At the end of the book, Lucy confides in a trans man, Ayden who she meets at Botetourt who asks her about being stealth and provides wonderful advice. I just wish she had more scenes where trans folks are having these important conversations with her. I do still find it uncomfortable that she was hooking up with an older dude. I would've preferred Ian's outburst to be about her age, not her gender identity.


That's my only big gripe with this book. But besides that, I do think this is a good and important book for trans teens to read. I liked Lucy and Callie's bond & friendship. The end make me smile as well!

[Lisa Pineo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this. So much great stuff in this YA novel! Lucy and her best friend Callie are great characters with lots of depth and personality. Lucy has a lot going on in this story. She's trying to put on her own play with her BFF, deal with transphobes, pick a college that lets her have a fresh start with no one knowing she's trans that her BFF loves too, start a romance with a boy at her first pick college, deal with her dad's lack of enthusiasm about her being her true self and be there for her mom who is in remission from cancer. I loved the humor, the social justice, the tight bond between the girls, the way Lucy was sure of her trans identity but there was still characters figuring out their sexual identities, and the great ending. I liked the look at women's colleges and whether they allow trans people, and Lucy deciding how stealthy she wanted to live her life. A great book for anyone wanting an LGBTQ+ story with heart, strength and emotion. I hope this sister duo writes more books together.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

With two compelling main characters and a lot of messy high school drama (literally and figuratively since the book is all about theater) I loved how this book tackled the challenges and triumphs of growing up and searching for your place in life! Written by two sisters - one of whom is trans and who wrote that perspective into the lead character - you can feel the closeness of their relationship come through in the relationship between Callie and Lucy throughout the book. I loved every second of their adventures searching for the perfect college, and especially the time spent on Boutetout's campus where things really heat up! This book is great for lovers of YA fiction, theater, or anyone looking for complex queer representation that uplifts the struggles, but also rejoices in the triumphs of queer, trans and nonbinary characters.

[Iz R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cringe in a fun way, and full of trans joy. Great audiobook

[Annine · Rating 4 out of 5]

About friendship and allyship

CW: transphobia, being outed, dysphoria, cancer

[HaileyAnne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucy is ready to leave her high school (and the daily transphobia from her classmates) behind. She's ready to go to Central with her best friend, where they can live their theater kid dreams. But after a visit to central, Lucy worries it will be just like high school. Then Lucy discovers a notoriously LGBTQ+ friendly women's college with a solid theater program and wonders if this could be her chance. Except, it doesn't seem like they've ever accepted a trans woman. Cue road trip hijinks, college parties, and friendship drama!

I loved this book. Lucy and Callie's friendship felt so real. And Lucy's inner battle with just wanting to be accepted as a woman, but also being proud of her trans identity felt very authentic. I just really loved it.

[Alexa Blart, Library Cop · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this for a work event–the authors engage thoughtfully with the nuances and challenges of living life as a trans person, but don’t limit those conversations to out and blatant transphobia. Performative allyship is discussed on both a large scale (Lucy’s high school shutting down her queer reimagining of The Tempest as “too controversial” while adding in the same email that they “believe that trans lives matter”) and a small scale (a frankly Whedonesque side character who brags about what a woke, queer-supportive feminist he is right before falling massively short of that claim). While I thought these conversations were very well done, I had a hard time connecting to the main character, Lucy; she starts off very likable, but midway through begins behaving in an incredibly selfish manner that I wished the book had done more to call out and correct. I also wished for a bit more depth from her best friend, Callie, who doesn’t have much character beyond being zany and chaotic and calling out Lucy’s detractors. The humor didn’t always work for me, either–for a book about two girls in their senior year of high school, going on a solo college road trip six hours from home, the jokes felt distractingly middle-grade in their reliance on poop. Normally I’d give a bit of grace here, since I know I’m quite a bit older than this book’s intended audience, but it was pretty jarring. Nevertheless, I think queer theatre kids in particular will find a whole lot to love here, and for all its occasional missteps, it has a lot of important things to say.

[Amanda Shepard (Between-the-Shelves) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Thanks to Knopf Books for sending an advanced copy of this book to my library!

Lucy is a senior in high school, trying to decide where to go to college. After a transphobic incident at the local college, she finds an LGBTQ+ friendly college that seems like a dream. But as a women's only college, she's unsure about how trans friendly they really are.

This book hits all the right notes for teens trying to figure out what to do after high school. I loved the friendship between Lucy and her best friend Calli, who is ready to fight anyone who hurts Lucy. They're both super into theater, so if you were also a drama kid in high school, you'll love their journey putting on their play as seniors in high school theater.

There is also a plot line about Lucy and Callie getting their play censored because it features a trans storyline. The school board claims that they're afraid of "controversy," which is unfortunately all to believable in this day and age.

I will say, some of the writing felt a bit clunky at times, and some of the diaglogue didn't quite feel realistic. But, it's also a debut, so plenty of time to improve. This is a sweet book that queer theater kids will definitely relate to. Check it out when it comes out in October!

[Kelly {SpaceOnTheBookcase] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucy, Uncensored by Mel Hammond and Teghan Hammond is a YA queer contemporary fiction novel that digs into the main character Lucy and their life as a transgender person. When best friends Lucy and Callie come up with a queer centered rewrite to a famous play they’re excited to use it as part of their application for college. When the school board censors and then outright cancels the play, Lucy and Callie struggle to figure out what to do. When Lucy stumbled onto an all-girls college that seemed welcoming to LGBTQIA+ students, they took a roadtrip with Callie to check it out. I thought this was really well written, provided an insightful perspective into the mind of Lucy and was an authentic representation of that funky time in our lives where we’re coming of age but the world thinks we’re grown. I used both eyes and ears to read and I highly recommend both.

Thank you GetUnderlined and PRH Audio for the gifted ARC/ALC.

[Shilo Quetchenbach · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cute and queer.

Lucy makes some questionable choices (and some pretty poor choices) throughout, and isn't always the greatest friend, but through the process of dealing with the consequences really comes into her own and learns to live her truth as a trans girl.

Botatot sounds amazing and I wish I could go back to college and go there. It sounds so queer and so affirming and just perfect.

Callie is such a good friend. I'm glad Lucy had her but also Lucy didn't always deserve her.

All the drama makes sense in a way since Lucy and Callie are theater kids. The school board banning their play in order to prevent public outcry was... honestly too real. I'm glad the story didn't focus overlong on the hate and the transphobia.

The audiobook was well done and I enjoyed listening to it.

[Amy Laundrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Mel and Teghan Hammond, for having the courage to co-author this important book. Teghan, in the Authors’ Notes says she wants “Lucy, Uncensored to be the story that helps a young queer person find their truth or lets older queer people heal their inner child.” It does that, and it will also give people access to sensitive stories that matter.
I was hooked from the first page when I experienced the strong friendship between Lucy, a trans teenager, and her best friend, Callie, who dotes on her. (Callie also dotes on her Chihuahua and her iguana.) I delighted in the unique situations, such as Lucy meeting a handsome guy at a college “sheep” party. The genuine teen dialogue, and the clever puns and turns of expressions, add to the fun. Highly recommended.

[Mira Sings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow did I love this book! The story felt so authentic and real and the authors had such a great balance of showing the harsh realities of a young trans woman's life while also managing to weave in a current of hope. I thought the plot was intriguing and full of all the elements of a great coming-of-age story. I also loved how flawed the characters were. Lucy was a bit self-centred at times and Callie was sometimes awkward in her support of Lucy. However, both girls were so loveable and easy to root for. I really loved Lucy's journey and how she grew as a person during this book. Overall an amazing read!

[Jay Holle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming, real, LGBTQ coming of age story

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Great read. The characters, their families, and their journies felt very real to me and I absolutely loved the ending. Overall this book felt like a sweet hug for my younger queer self that, like one of the characters mentions at one point, I wish I could have read when I was the characters ages!

Bonus points for the goofy puns & antics amongst the experiences that plucked at my lil trans heartstrings.

Only complaint is I think we could've used more Meatball & Queen Elizardbeth rep

[Tara Gold · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weeeee! Can finally log everything I read in early January.

Did not love this one, but did love the trans rep and the friendship between these two girls. Also loved seeing a character fall in love with the area where I grew up -- of course she wants to go to college in the gorgeous mountains of the Roanoke area.

Overall, though, I felt like the vibes felt caught between being lower YA and upper YA between the tone, content, and voice. There were some darker moments and big questions being asked, but the book as a whole felt young.

[Kate · Rating 1 out of 5]

If I could give this book 0 stars, I would. The writing was poor, the characters were cringeworthy and overwritten, and the plot was disorganized and disappointing.

I didn't know until looking at the other reviews that the co-author is a felon. Transgender or not, I just cannot get behind an undisclosed registered felon as a role-model for young and new adults.

Don't waste your time on this read, the 40 reviewers giving this a five-star review must be friends and family because this book isn't even close to hitting the mark.

[Saskia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, good rep, good showing of how life can be as a trans person. The story itself was not a new story ... teen has an issue, exacerbates issue by lying, chooses new person over old friendship, resolves issues, is happy.

The 4 stars lies in the character of Lucy, and the authentic way the author has infused her struggle with her own experience.

CW: transmisua, homomisia, sexual references.

Y11 Y12 Y13

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

CW: Transphobia

Definitely recommend double-checking trigger warnings before reading this book. I thought it would be really light-hearted but it does touch on some really heavy subjects.

I absolutely adored this book! It's so full of heart, the characters are extremely relatable. I generally read most books from the library, but I immediately ordered a copy once I finished reading this.

[Amelia Speight · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried thru the last 30 pages of this beautiful, realistic, fun, intense book. I truly loved it so much and thought it was the perfect blend of trans/queer joy and reality. Also my former theatre kid was thriving. I will be telling all my friends to read it, both adults and teens!!

[Cecilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a pretty cute book! I've never read a book with a trans main character, so it was neat to read this perspective. The characters felt real and like people I know in real life. I wouldn't mind if this became a series, I wanna see what other adventures Lucy and Callie will go on!

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

my friend wrote this, and she is great, and it is also great.

[Zachary J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I signed up for goodreads to review this book.

You should buy this book if you like funny and heartwarming teens. Audiobook is pretty good too.

The dog doesn’t die.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the author’s note: written to represent trans joy!

[Bridie]

Honestly so sweet and cute but my FAV part is that it isnt 5000 pages long like every other ya book!!!!!