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sappho's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
will return later
imstephtacular's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia and Homophobia
miloblue's review against another edition
2.0
I love the concept of middle school students performing drag. I hated the way that Mikey, the main character, has his whole life tied to the notion of BUSINESS and views his success and pride through a lens of making money and capitalism. Frankly, it was pretty gross, and I almost DNF the damn thing.
That said, the kids in this book are definitely cute and charming, MC excluded.
Overall, though, as queers, we can do better. I’m off to cleanse my palate with some Zenobia July.
That said, the kids in this book are definitely cute and charming, MC excluded.
Overall, though, as queers, we can do better. I’m off to cleanse my palate with some Zenobia July.
reader_fictions's review against another edition
1.0
NOTE: I follow Goodreads' rating scale, and I didn't enjoy much about this so, it's a 1 for didn't like it. That does not mean I loathe it or want to prevent others from reading it.
Coming off the heels of watching all of RuPaul's Drag Race in a couple of months, Middle School's a Drag, You Better Werk! called to me. Maybe I shouldn't have answered.
This is one of those cases where I feel like the wrong character is the MC. Based on the title, I thought this would be about drag primarily, but it's not. In fact, the book centers on a precocious (if you're nice—which I'm not) or obnoxious (if you're unforgiving) kid who constantly dreams up new business ideas. Mikey reminds me most of a very young Mr. Collins with his lack of self-awareness, self-congratulation, repetitive phrases, and general demeanor.
Anyway, Julian, an eighth grader approaches Mikey and his company Anything Inc seeking a talent agent. Mikey, not knowing anything about drag or being an agent, accepts. Really, I should have DNFed, because the premise frustrated me right from the start. While I could believe that Mikey would think his ideas had merit, I could not believe that anyone else would take him seriously. I'm team bratty sister.
Like, to be perfectly honest, I was hoping that Mikey's venture would be an epic failure. I was zero percent rooting for him. I wanted him to be smacked down by the fact that real life is hard and learn valuable lessons and have a character arc where he stopped being so Collins-y. No dice. Mikey really doesn't seem to learn anything at all, except maybe that he's even better at everything than he already thought, which has me gagging in the literal, non-drag way.
I wish this book had been more what I expected from the title, like if it had been about Julian. In general too, I did feel like the whole thing lacked, ironically, pizzazz. The writing's repetitive, and it all felt very tell-y.
That said, I'll acknowledge that I am a grumpy old miser, so I'm far from the target audience for this. Maybe it will be something special for young gay kids, and I do hope so. For me, though, it wasn't great.
Coming off the heels of watching all of RuPaul's Drag Race in a couple of months, Middle School's a Drag, You Better Werk! called to me. Maybe I shouldn't have answered.
This is one of those cases where I feel like the wrong character is the MC. Based on the title, I thought this would be about drag primarily, but it's not. In fact, the book centers on a precocious (if you're nice—which I'm not) or obnoxious (if you're unforgiving) kid who constantly dreams up new business ideas. Mikey reminds me most of a very young Mr. Collins with his lack of self-awareness, self-congratulation, repetitive phrases, and general demeanor.
Anyway, Julian, an eighth grader approaches Mikey and his company Anything Inc seeking a talent agent. Mikey, not knowing anything about drag or being an agent, accepts. Really, I should have DNFed, because the premise frustrated me right from the start. While I could believe that Mikey would think his ideas had merit, I could not believe that anyone else would take him seriously. I'm team bratty sister.
Like, to be perfectly honest, I was hoping that Mikey's venture would be an epic failure. I was zero percent rooting for him. I wanted him to be smacked down by the fact that real life is hard and learn valuable lessons and have a character arc where he stopped being so Collins-y. No dice. Mikey really doesn't seem to learn anything at all, except maybe that he's even better at everything than he already thought, which has me gagging in the literal, non-drag way.
I wish this book had been more what I expected from the title, like if it had been about Julian. In general too, I did feel like the whole thing lacked, ironically, pizzazz. The writing's repetitive, and it all felt very tell-y.
That said, I'll acknowledge that I am a grumpy old miser, so I'm far from the target audience for this. Maybe it will be something special for young gay kids, and I do hope so. For me, though, it wasn't great.
kait_sixcrowsbooks's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
alfie_and_books's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Twelve-year old Mikey Pruitt is president, founder and CEO of Anything Inc. and he's always on the look out for his next business venture. When thirteen year old, plus sized drag queen Coco Caliente, Mistress of Madness and Mayhem walks into his office looking for a talent agent, Mikey sees the opportunity to make lots of cash. What he doesn't realise is just how much Coco is about to change his life. Hilarious, heartfelt and diverse, this book is one of a kind – it even had me crying at the end!
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