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emily_mh's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was truly a book of two halves for me. I really did not like the first half. There was a lack of plot or character direction that left me feeling bored and confused. But I was completely WON OVER by the second half. Bug's character development was what made it. They're coming to terms with their uncle's death, the gap this leaves in their home, and how to live this new life they have without them. At the same time Bug is trying to understand why they don't feel right in their own skin and struggling to do so because they lack the words and knowledge to describe it. All this is happening against the backdrop of Bug trying to figure out why a ghosts is interfering with their life and home, which propelled the narrative forward.
This book is so emotional and sad, centred on the incredibly moving concept of someone trying their hardest to reassure and encourage somebody they love. But it is also filled with trans joy and hope, which I adored. Instead of being focussed on transphobia (which is obviously still important to do, just not in ALL trans stories), the story is about love, self-discovery, self-acceptance, and self-celebration.
This book is so emotional and sad, centred on the incredibly moving concept of someone trying their hardest to reassure and encourage somebody they love. But it is also filled with trans joy and hope, which I adored. Instead of being focussed on transphobia (which is obviously still important to do, just not in ALL trans stories), the story is about love, self-discovery, self-acceptance, and self-celebration.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Terminal illness
Minor: Death of parent, Ableism, Car accident, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Homophobia, Blood, Bullying, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, and Transphobia
Major: loss of a loved one Minor: pandemic, menstruationcareinthelibrary's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
4.0
This was really good! I loved the layers of storytelling and genre here. It's not your average ghost story nor does it read like a typical middle grade coming-of-age.
Interesting perspective of parenting a trans kid and gender role enforcement of role models. I also love the re of kids who don't always know what's going on with their gender (not everyone knows from the moment they're conscious that they're trans/queer, sometimes it takes soul searching and education).
I really liked the narrator of this so I especially recommend it in that format if you like audiobooks.
Interesting perspective of parenting a trans kid and gender role enforcement of role models. I also love the re of kids who don't always know what's going on with their gender (not everyone knows from the moment they're conscious that they're trans/queer, sometimes it takes soul searching and education).
I really liked the narrator of this so I especially recommend it in that format if you like audiobooks.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dysphoria, Grief, and Death
Moderate: Cancer, Bullying, Deadnaming, Transphobia, Gaslighting, Death of parent, and Terminal illness
Minor: Car accident, Homophobia, and Blood
valereads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
5.0
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
"The weeks stretch out in front of me, slow and hot, the finish line shimmering like a mirage. I don't know who I'll be when I cross over."
This heart-breaking and beautiful middle grade novel follows 11 year old Bug as they prepare to start middle school, grieve for their beloved uncle, and try to figure out who they are.
This story explores grief in a heartfelt and honest way. Specifically the grief for a death that was not sudden but expected and no less heart-breaking for it. It begins shortly after the death of Bug's uncle who was a parental figure in their life. We see how Bug deals with, and doesn't deal with their grief, throughout the beginning of the book.
It discusses feeling like you don't fit in and aren't able to be a proper "girl" in a way that seems to come easily to most of your peers - a feeling that was very familiar to me as a transgender man. It also features a trans character who didn't always know which is a common narrative that doesn't apply to many of us. Bug doesn't always know but when they figure out who they are everything else makes sense in hindsight.
Overall I felt this was an honest and heartful look at both grief and transgender identity that felt true to life and was beautifully written. I'd highly recommend it to children and adults alike.
Content warnings: grief, death, terminal illness, mentions of bullying, unintentional misgendering
"The weeks stretch out in front of me, slow and hot, the finish line shimmering like a mirage. I don't know who I'll be when I cross over."
This heart-breaking and beautiful middle grade novel follows 11 year old Bug as they prepare to start middle school, grieve for their beloved uncle, and try to figure out who they are.
This story explores grief in a heartfelt and honest way. Specifically the grief for a death that was not sudden but expected and no less heart-breaking for it. It begins shortly after the death of Bug's uncle who was a parental figure in their life. We see how Bug deals with, and doesn't deal with their grief, throughout the beginning of the book.
It discusses feeling like you don't fit in and aren't able to be a proper "girl" in a way that seems to come easily to most of your peers - a feeling that was very familiar to me as a transgender man. It also features a trans character who didn't always know which is a common narrative that doesn't apply to many of us. Bug doesn't always know but when they figure out who they are everything else makes sense in hindsight.
Overall I felt this was an honest and heartful look at both grief and transgender identity that felt true to life and was beautifully written. I'd highly recommend it to children and adults alike.
Content warnings: grief, death, terminal illness, mentions of bullying, unintentional misgendering
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Death, Grief, and Terminal illness
Minor: Blood, Bullying, Car accident, Death, Death of parent, Grief, and Terminal illness
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