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literaryk's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a great, authentic read. Coles' voice portrays a high schooler just trying make it through perfectly. His characters are well developed without taking away from the plot. His characters are so real and never fall into typical patterns or stereotypes. I was especially pleased that a character who was part of a gang and dealing wasn't made out to be a dick or villain, but was actually portrayed as the human they were. Gio also mentions going to therapy, crying, and using strategies to help handle big emotions. I really loved seeing that in a YA book since it's still rarely talked about.
I also really appreciated how he touched base with some of the racist experiences one can have has a POC, one of which is rarely talked about. Seeing Gio deal with his language arts teacher reminded me to be mindful and open as a teacher--we may be the adults in the room, but when it comes to social issues and commentary, our word should not just be taken without challenge.
Because of a brief sex scene, this book may be better suited for the high school level. However, I feel that this is an important book for anyone who may be questioning their sexuality or dealing with trauma.
I also really appreciated how he touched base with some of the racist experiences one can have has a POC, one of which is rarely talked about. Seeing Gio deal with his language arts teacher reminded me to be mindful and open as a teacher--we may be the adults in the room, but when it comes to social issues and commentary, our word should not just be taken without challenge.
Because of a brief sex scene, this book may be better suited for the high school level. However, I feel that this is an important book for anyone who may be questioning their sexuality or dealing with trauma.
mellowbry's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
greenvillemelissa's review against another edition
4.0
This is a good realistic young adult read. Gio is a high schooler who is dealing with the return of his biological mother (who walked out on the family when he was young), his recent discovery that he is bisexual and dealing with being an African American young male in a still racist society. Great writing, great characters...I think high school readers will enjoy it.
eboc2024's review against another edition
5.0
This book was an amazingly Queer-affirming counter- narrative of a Black boy growing up in a tough, but community-oriented neighborhood in Indiana. A boy who is religious, and athletic, and loves Paramore and all of these other eclectic musicians. The story is layered and nuanced. Gio ends up loving a white boy, but he doesn’t let this white guy off the hook when he isn’t enough of ally when Gio is in a dangerous situation. Gio has a Queer mom, but he doesn’t let her off the hook because of abandoning him when he was young. Overall, it’s a coming of age story about coming into your own, living your truth, and finding the family you need, and who will support you unconditionally. I loved this book!!
glendareads39's review against another edition
4.0
Things we couldn't say is a powerfully moving coming of age story about a Black Queer teen named Gio who is coming to grips from abandonment by his mother at age nine and left to care by his alcoholic father. He lives with his father, brother and his stepmother, dealing with his father's alcoholism, his indecision about whether to see his mother and a close family friend's illness. He has a couple of friends and a strong bond with his brother, Theo.
Throughout the story, Gio attends Therapy sessions. Therapy is used a positive and important move instead of an activity with stigma attached to it. He came out as Bisexual to his friends and stepmom who have been supportive but his father hasn't took it well at all. Things get even more complicated when David, a new boy joins the school and basketball team. He moves in across from Gio. Things we couldn't say deals with racism, homophobia, religion, and identity.
Thanks to Pride Book Tours and Scholastic press for the ARC!
Throughout the story, Gio attends Therapy sessions. Therapy is used a positive and important move instead of an activity with stigma attached to it. He came out as Bisexual to his friends and stepmom who have been supportive but his father hasn't took it well at all. Things get even more complicated when David, a new boy joins the school and basketball team. He moves in across from Gio. Things we couldn't say deals with racism, homophobia, religion, and identity.
Thanks to Pride Book Tours and Scholastic press for the ARC!
iantaylor's review against another edition
2.0
I really, really wanted to enjoy this book, because it does touch on a lot of really important topics - but at the end of the day the writing style really spoiled this one for me. I will start by saying that I know as a fully grown adult I am not inherently the target audience for Things We Couldn't Say, so please take my review with a grain of salt and give the book a try if you're interested. But with that said, the way this book was written was so blatant and on the nose, again and again. For example, a passage from early on in the book when our main characters are conversing:
David chuckles. "I love Ari so much. She's, like, the gay icon of gay icons."
"Gay icon?" Olly and Ayesha both ask.
"Meaning a lot of gay people like her music and what she stands for." David explains.
"Oh, okay." Ayesha says.
It all comes across as simultaneously sterile and clumsy, and very much not how teens are out there talking to each other. There are parts of the story that are truly important (bi visibility, race, family dynamics, and so on) but despite my best efforts to enjoy this one I ended up giving it up around half way through.
David chuckles. "I love Ari so much. She's, like, the gay icon of gay icons."
"Gay icon?" Olly and Ayesha both ask.
"Meaning a lot of gay people like her music and what she stands for." David explains.
"Oh, okay." Ayesha says.
It all comes across as simultaneously sterile and clumsy, and very much not how teens are out there talking to each other. There are parts of the story that are truly important (bi visibility, race, family dynamics, and so on) but despite my best efforts to enjoy this one I ended up giving it up around half way through.
shellysbookcorner's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you Scholastic Inc for my review copy.
After reading and loving “Tyler Johnson Was Here” I couldn't wait to dive into this book. This story follows a bi Black boy named Gio. What I liked about this story is that Gio wasn't questioning his sexuality throughout the whole. He has a feeling he might be bisexual, explored and confirmed and this was refreshing!
“Sometimes the best thing you can do is let people go!”
This story deals with parental abandonment and I know this feeling all too well and it hurts big time. Even though it wasn’t easy I made the decision to let my father go for my own mental health. I loved the found family that Gio has and the support that they give him throughout the story. Jay Coles is quickly climbing the ranks of my favorite authors and I highly recommend this book.
Triggers: Anxiety, panic attacks, death, parental abandonment.
szucker6's review against another edition
3.25
Gio’s voice read more often as a middle schooler than a high schooler, but it was inconsistent.
Do NOT listen to this as an audiobook. While the narrator does a lovely job with Gio, his narration for all of the female characters were so outlandish it completely took me out of the story; it was really a disservice.
Do NOT listen to this as an audiobook. While the narrator does a lovely job with Gio, his narration for all of the female characters were so outlandish it completely took me out of the story; it was really a disservice.
yoursupremereads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0