Reviews with content warning for Deadnaming - Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston

I've not explored the realm of middle grade books since I was the target demographic of their narratives, and Sir Callie's story was the perfect re-beginning. Filled with heart, soul, friendship, and bravery, Esme Symes-Smith delivers a delicate story wrapped in sharp edges and tied with the queerest of all bows.

The nonbinary representation found in Callie, the protagonist, is like nothing else I've seen. Their identity is flawlessly embedded into the second world society, reflecting many realities to our own earth while pulling a new twist in the context of fictional kingdom, Helston. Even better, this is all done in a way that is digestible for our youth.

I wasn’t a she, and I wasn’t a he, I was just . . . Callie. Eventually, I put on “they,” and I haven’t taken those shoes off since.

Despite Callie's horrible mama, they find acceptance in their papa, who always defends them and accepts their identity.

“Mm-hmm. And how old is she?”

“They,” says Papa pointedly, “are twelve, and more proficient than most squires about to be knighted."

Speaking of Callie's papa, also known as Sir Nicholas... he is one of the best fictional fathers in the history of scruffy, himbo bisexual men. He has always stood up for Callie, even when it meant abandoning the very place he lived, and continues to love them unconditionally. Better yet, this parental bond extends to Nick's partner, Neal, a magical man who grows to love Callie as his own flesh and blood—if not more.

All the people I love the most.
Who love me.
Exactly as I am.

The friendship between Callie, Elowen, and Willow was astoundingly emotional. From the secret practices and lessons Callie shared with each of them, all the way up until the moments wherein Callie become the prince's champion and fought their biggest battle yet, they had a strong hold on my heart.

"Friends are better than heroes."

Not only that, but Esme managed to deliver such a closely bonded friendship in a middle grade novel, while still managing to appeal to people outside of the intended audience, like myself. It felt as though the message underlining the importance of friendship transcended the age group it was intended for, and delivered a story that can resonate with any soul, no matter how old.

"We can be different together.”

As a useless lesbian, I must briefly comment on what I assume to be a blossoming romance between Callie and Elowen because oh my god. Every stolen glance and delicate touch and carefully chosen word reminded me of my first ever crushes. I saw so much of my young self that has never once been represented before.

Elowen laughs, open and bright, and I know I'm staring but I can't help it. I want to make this world better for her. I want her to have everything she wants.

Of course, the narrative was beautiful, too. Aside from the inspiring and vital themes, the plot at its simplest was wonderfully engaging. Personally, I am less a fantasy reader than I am a romance or contemporary one, but Sir Callie and their story was one of those books with a can't-put-it-down feeling intertwined with every word.

Please, do yourself a favour, and read this book, gift this book, sit side by side with your child or sibling or cousin and let them learn the ways a world can be broken as well as the ways a world can be fixed.

Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston have the potential to change the hearts, minds, and lives of a new generation.

Callie is the role model every child needs.

A real Helston knight...
I punch the sky with a whoop!
And I'm going to do it as myself.
As Callie.

Content Warnings

elizajaquays's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston was a fun and heartwarming read that tackled important and difficult topics about gender identity and child abuse in an approachable way for middle grade readers.

It’s a book about learning who you are, standing up for yourself and others, and that it’s okay to be different.

If you grew up on Tamora Pierce and are looking for a similar vibe to share with the young readers in your life (or pick up for yourself), love found family stories, friendship, and/or butt-kicking fun, then this might be up your alley!

Thank you to NetGalley and Labyrinth Road for the ARC! I’m so excited to get my finished copy in a few weeks!!

Content Warnings

rhiannonafternoon's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

The world was not built for Callie, but that does not stop them from living authentically. As a nonbinary 12-year-old, Callie wants nothing more than to be a knight and serve the kingdom their knightly father talks about so fondly, but when they get there, it does not live up to the hype. The social norms of the castle challenge Callie, but meeting friends along the way that also don't fit into the social molds that have been set gives Callie the confidence to keep speaking up. This book is tough, but full of heart, and I'm so happy that Callie has carved out a place for everyone to feel welcome.

Content Warnings

lastblossom's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children's for an advance copy!

tl;dr
A thoughtful and complex story featuring a likable non-binary protagonist and a great supporting cast. The amount of prejudice the MC has to face is really stressful to read.

About
Only girls do magic. Only boys can be knights. Callie has never thought of themselves as a girl or a boy, but their dream to become a knight someday is blocked by the fact that everyone else sees Callie as a girl. But Callie's determined to prove themselves, and an invitation to the royal capital might be the chance they need to do so.

Thoughts
This is a tough one to review. I typically try to highlight things I enjoyed versus parts that weren't for me, but it was hard for me to enjoy this. To be clear, this is a very good book. Callie's struggles are raw and relatable, and my heart broke for them more than once. The other kids are unique and complex and beautiful, and it was great to see genuine thoughtfulness centered on the discussion of family and abuse, self-loathing, and how messy love can be. But dang, reading this was tough. Callie is misgendered regularly, on purpose, and with hurtful intent. Gender roles in this world are so rigid and pithy that even our heroic Callie starts out with a very dim view of women. Trans readers who have been down this path in real life already might find re-treading this ground to be tiresome. That being said, I think this book would have been perfect for me when I was younger, and I think it will resonate with any young reader looking for a story about friends, family, and adventure.

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ezwolf's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Callie dreams of one day becoming a knight and when their dad is called back to Helston help train the train the prince, sees it as a perfect opportunity to prove themselves! But as Callie already knows, the world doesn't look kindly on difference, and Helston is no exception, but they hardly let that stop them from trying to start making changes.

I absolutely adored this book and I cannot wait for it to be released so I can buy it and make everyone I know read it! I love that we're getting more and more books in middle grade about non-binary/gender non-conforming kids, it's representation that I would have loved as a child and brings me so much joy to read now. To also have the idea presented that it's not the family you're born with, but the family you choose and the family that loves you for you, I think that's so important for kids to read too.

All of the kids were wonderful characters and none of them were how you expected them to be, or how Callie does either. Also the sheer amount of righteous rage that's packed into 12 year old Callie was so much fun to read. Those infuriating moments that happen to kids in books and you wish you could just pop into the book and yell on their behalf? Callie does that all on her own, for herself and for her friends.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House and Labyrinth Road for making this available in exchange for an honest review!

Content Warnings

kassiereadsbooks's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.25

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