The Princess of Baker Street by Mia Kerick is a young adult novel about the trials and tribulations of Joey Kinkaid. Joey feels, from an early age, that he really should have been a girl. This is his journey from innocent childhood adventures with his best friend, Eric Sinclair, to living as a girl. His journey is not easy. His father does not support his transition and he is bullied by his peers at middle school. When he begins openly dressing more like a girl, school life becomes unbearable for him. Eric is going through his own problems. Struggling to survive neglect in his home life, he just wants to avoid trouble so he keeps his head down. Unfortunately, Eric's personal problems mean he just doesn't have the strength to support his friend and they inevitably drift apart. Is this a permanent rift or will the two friends find a way to come together again?

Princess of Baker Street is a gritty coming of age drama that has been beautifully written. The story is pertinent and realistic. The characters are very appealing, particularly the two protagonists. Mia Kerick skilfully explores the confusion felt by everyone surrounding the issues of gender identity, not just the person going through the transition. She accurately observes the dynamics between family members, close friends and the school peer group, which is absolutely fascinating. The portrayal of these complex relationships is sensitive and poignant. This is a great book suitable for teens upwards. I would not put an upper age limit on the readership. I am sure other adults will enjoy it just as much as I did.

Joey Kinkaid is smart, pretty, and a good friend. He’s also a boy who likes to wear girlie clothes and is terribly bullied by the other kids. Eric Sinclair is Joey’s former best friend and admirer. As they started middle school, Eric decided that distancing himself from Joey would save him from being the social outcast. However, it’s hard for him to see his childhood playmate suffer from the constant bullying. When Joey’s resolve finally snaps, will Eric stand up for him before it’s too late?

The Princess of Baker Street by Mia Kerick is narrated in Eric’s first-person POV and the prose mirrors the adolescence of the character. Instantly, readers get the sense and perhaps are reminded of the difficulty of being different in a cruel and dangerous juvenile world. It’s interesting but sad as Eric struggles with his conscience of doing the right thing or keeping his school life trouble free as much as possible, especially when he has no support from his absent mother. The flashbacks of his memories of his younger, happier days with Joey and the other kids are sweet, innocent moments where it was all about fun and not discrimination. Emotional growth of the characters is well explored and deftly developed in Part II of the story. I have a soft spot for Emily, who’s always been more mature than the rest of the kids.

Kerick’s The Princess of Baker Street is a moving read about gender identity, bullying, family problems, depression, suicide, and transgender. They are heavy matters but important to be contemplated by society, especially people who lack understanding of the hardships that the LGBTQ community has to face.