Symptoms of Being Human

• Genre: Fiction; young adult (YA) contemporary
• Originally Published: 2016
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile HL760L; grades 8-12
• Structure/Length: 36 chapters; approximately 352 pages; approximately 7 hours, 47 minutes on audio
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: The central conflict revolves around Riley Cavanaugh, a gender-fluid teenager who is struggling to navigate high school, identity, and acceptance. Riley’s journey is further complicated when they start a blog about the experience of being gender fluid, which attracts both support and hate from an online audience. The novel explores identity, gender, self-discovery, and the power of self-expression.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Sexual assault; verbal abuse that is sexually explicit; suicide and suicidal ideation; self-harm; mental illness; bullying and online harassment; discussions of gender fluidity, gender dysphoria, and sexual identity; abuse of alcohol

Jeff Garvin, Author

• Bio: American author, actor, and musician known for his debut novel Symptoms of Being Human and his advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights; celebrated for his works that promote understanding and acceptance; often focuses on themes related to identity, self-discovery, and the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals
• Other Works: The Lightness of Hands (2020)
• Awards: Lambda Literary Award (finalist, 2016); Nutmeg Award (2021)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• Gender Identity & Fluidity
• Mental Health
• Online Community/Harassment

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will: