3.75 stars

It's the mid 1980s. Peter Paddington is 13-years old and in grade 8 in a school in Sarnia, Ontario. He has two older sisters and is overweight. He knows he is not normal and suddenly his nipples start talking to him.

I enjoyed this. Peter is quite humourous in trying to figure out what's going on with his body and in his head (and what's with those talking nipples!) I loved the 80s references (mostly tv and music, but fashion and probably other references I'm not thinking of are there, too). Peter has such interesting daydreams! This was a really good, really enjoyable coming of age novel.

The book overall was quite well written. The author was able to create these lovable characters that all talked differently, and there were many times when I was actually laughing out loud. The ending of the book on the other hand was a little disappointing. It kind of just ended without leaving the reader to have a little snip-it of what was going to happen to the characters.

Don't let the title throw you for a loop; this book was really well done. The writing style reflects the young narrator (it's his story), so there is not much depth to the vocabulary. For me, the simplicity did nothing but add character to the story and deepen my empathy for Peter (the narrator). The title comes into play at many times and in many interesting and well thought out ways throughout the book, including the ending of the story. Provocative and heart rending. The life and trying times of young Peter Paddington kept me reading. Thoroughly entertaining.

This book is a very easy read but I found that the content made up for it. I felt horrible for the boy, just wanted to be his friend. Fascinating approach to incorporate transsexuality.