Man O' War

A Stonewall Honor Book

An achingly honest and frequently hilarious coming-of-age novel about an Arab American trans teen fighting to keep their head above water in a landlocked Midwestern town.

Man o' wars are not jellyfish, and River McIntyre is not happy. River doesn't know why they're unhappy--though perhaps it has something to do with the way they relate more to captive marine life at the local acquarium than to the people around them. That is, until they have a run in with Indigo "Indy" Waits on the annual class field trip. Face-to-face with an affirmed queer person, River leaps out of the closet and into the shark tank. Literally. What follows is a wrenching journey of self-discovery that spans years and winds through layers of coming out, transition, and top surgery, promising a free life for River with so much more than happiness: A life that's full of trans joy and true love.

"River is the most emotionally engaging character I've read in a long time, and this novel is a deep and comprehensive exploration of the journey transgender people trek through the confining world they're born into. Eye-opening, heartfelt, and real--with a massive payoff of true love." --A.S. King, author of Dig, winner of the Michael L. Printz Award

(Cover may vary.)

Author: Cory McCarthy
Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers
Published: 05/31/2022
Pages: 336
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.93lbs
Size: 8.40h x 5.80w x 1.30d
ISBN: 9780593353707
Audience: Young Adult


Award: Stonewall Book Award - Honor Book


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 04/01/2022
Publishers Weekly 04/11/2022
Booklist 05/15/2022 pg. 44
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 06/01/2022
School Library Journal 02/03/2023 pg. 1

About the Author
Cory McCarthy is the bestselling author of numerous books for young readers. He lives with his family in Vermont, where he teaches writing at Vermont College of Fine Arts.