Opération Pantalon

I'm curious about the personal or social influences that motivated Cat Clarke to tell this story for younger readers. Did any real-life experiences shape the narrative?

The book manages to be funny while addressing important issues, which is rare. How did the author find that balance without undermining the emotional depth?

The protagonist’s journey seems to question what it means to be a boy. What messages about gender and self-expression do readers take away from this?