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dylaurora's review
5.0
This is a really, really special book. It's one thing to find representation in fiction, but it's another to find it in an age range that often doesn't show as much representation, such as middle grade. The pacing and characterization was just a smidge clunky for me from time to time, but that didn't at all hinder my reading. Ciel shows diversity with ease, and characters that are relatable for children and adults alike.
nonsensicaljourney's review
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Second Story Press for gifting me with this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Going in, I was very excited to read a book about a non-binary character and their experience of the world. On that front, this book absolutely soared: I learnt about the intricacies of everything from navigating friendships to getting dressed, from being a queer YouTuber to being a kid just starting high school. I really appreciated seeing the world through Ciel's eyes, and from their perspective, with an honest style of narration.
However, there were a couple of major things that disappointed me about this book, and many of them may be personal. I felt jarred by the uncritical discussion of various teenage themes, and the way the author expected the reader to just accept that two characters this age were in committed, long-term relationships with boyfriends in early high school/ middle school. Although these characters were mainly developed in an age-appropriate way, this contributed to my unease. Yes, debateable things aren't meant to be critically analysed in middle-grade books, but should they be presented entirely uncritically? I'm concerned mostly because it might lead more conservative readers to think that, in turn, the narrator is just uncritically presenting other important viewpoints, when in fact Ciel makes various good arguments about the majority of the trans / gender-related issues.
I was also very underwhelmed by the lack of plot / plot resolution and the lack of substantial character development - very few of the things that happened caused any anguish in the protagonist, or for the protagonist to want something. I wanted to have a reason to be passionate about this character, but I struggled to find one.
All of these things might just be my personal inclination to have a strong plot / strong character development, rather than a slice of life, and my hesitation to invest in a story which (outside of the broad plot about Ciel being non-binary / trans) seemed to be more or less about social circles, boyfriends and complaining about a life which is ultimately pretty good. That being said, I think this book is VERY important for its incredible representation of trans issues and queer issues generally, and I commend the author for having the bravery to put this story out into the world. Thank you for sharing your experiences - even if I didn't connect with the characters, reading this book has taught me a lot.
Going in, I was very excited to read a book about a non-binary character and their experience of the world. On that front, this book absolutely soared: I learnt about the intricacies of everything from navigating friendships to getting dressed, from being a queer YouTuber to being a kid just starting high school. I really appreciated seeing the world through Ciel's eyes, and from their perspective, with an honest style of narration.
However, there were a couple of major things that disappointed me about this book, and many of them may be personal. I felt jarred by the uncritical discussion of various teenage themes, and the way the author expected the reader to just accept that two characters this age were in committed, long-term relationships with boyfriends in early high school/ middle school. Although these characters were mainly developed in an age-appropriate way, this contributed to my unease. Yes, debateable things aren't meant to be critically analysed in middle-grade books, but should they be presented entirely uncritically? I'm concerned mostly because it might lead more conservative readers to think that, in turn, the narrator is just uncritically presenting other important viewpoints, when in fact Ciel makes various good arguments about the majority of the trans / gender-related issues.
I was also very underwhelmed by the lack of plot / plot resolution and the lack of substantial character development - very few of the things that happened caused any anguish in the protagonist, or for the protagonist to want something. I wanted to have a reason to be passionate about this character, but I struggled to find one.
All of these things might just be my personal inclination to have a strong plot / strong character development, rather than a slice of life, and my hesitation to invest in a story which (outside of the broad plot about Ciel being non-binary / trans) seemed to be more or less about social circles, boyfriends and complaining about a life which is ultimately pretty good. That being said, I think this book is VERY important for its incredible representation of trans issues and queer issues generally, and I commend the author for having the bravery to put this story out into the world. Thank you for sharing your experiences - even if I didn't connect with the characters, reading this book has taught me a lot.
quiettalker's review
4.0
Aww I'm really glad I read that. Ciel is a nonbinary youtuber starting high school in Montreal. Ciel has very low-self esteem, but learns to be confident throughout the book. Thats it, thats the story. Would be great for school libraries.
m0thermayi's review
3.0
3.5 stars | (This is probably gonna be long and I'm sorry this review isn't in French but I'm lacking words so.)
Really good LGBTQ québécois novel for young readers :) We need more of those! I love that the parents were (mostly) really supportive of their trans kids and that there wasn't any drama at school because of these non-gender conforming teens. I was all here for non-binary teens and discussion of pronouns and how they can make some people uncomfortable. I hope there is going to be another book and that this is going to be a series because I feel like so many things were left hanging. I want to know what will happen with the LGBTQ meetings and the president Jérôme-Lou. He's the perfect example that even queer people can have prejudices against other queer people. I want to see this addressed.
The only negative (and reasons why i haven't given it 4 stars) is that the dialogue didn't feel authentic. I don't think young teens would talk that way, and it really pulled me out of the story on multiple occasions. Also, the level of maturity of the relationships these 12 yo experience was also a bit puzzling. Who the hell, in 5th grade, stays with the same person for 1.5year+???
LGBTQ rep: trans, bi, pan, non-binary character.
Really good LGBTQ québécois novel for young readers :) We need more of those! I love that the parents were (mostly) really supportive of their trans kids and that there wasn't any drama at school because of these non-gender conforming teens. I was all here for non-binary teens and discussion of pronouns and how they can make some people uncomfortable. I hope there is going to be another book and that this is going to be a series because I feel like so many things were left hanging. I want to know what will happen with the LGBTQ meetings and the president Jérôme-Lou. He's the perfect example that even queer people can have prejudices against other queer people. I want to see this addressed.
The only negative (and reasons why i haven't given it 4 stars) is that the dialogue didn't feel authentic. I don't think young teens would talk that way, and it really pulled me out of the story on multiple occasions. Also, the level of maturity of the relationships these 12 yo experience was also a bit puzzling. Who the hell, in 5th grade, stays with the same person for 1.5year+???
LGBTQ rep: trans, bi, pan, non-binary character.
mousereads's review
3.0
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Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book really nails it on the head with representation. Ciel addresses the things they directly experience, from the blunt way young people experience things. Additionally, this book is very much a contemporary slice of life look at Ciel. With that being said, I struggled with some aspects of this book. I was never quite sure how old Ciel and their friend group was. Sometimes they felt 12, sometimes (when discussing dating) they felt older. Additionally, I could not tell you distinctly the plot of this book. It felt somewhat aimless in that, things simply happened as moments, while rarely being tied together to any greater plot. If you simply want to read about a kid having fun with friends and experiencing some hard life stuff, then this book is great! If you want a book with a plot that can be followed and a satisfying conclusion, this won't be that book for you.
Perhaps this would have carried over better as a comic, which is what our author is known for. The dialogue was always incredibly fun, and slice of life tends to read better that way (in my opinion). If this book had a little bit more plot or character growth, I would say it's great for kids to read. Unfortunately, I just don't think they'd be as interested in slice of life content as adults.
However, I do have to give it credit for its conversations about non-binary trans experiences and how they differ from binary-trans experiences. As a non-binary person, I really appreciated the way that Ciel looked at things and brought them up to people. The way Ciel was bullied tugged on my heartstrings as something I've always worried about, even in my big adult age.
All in all, this was an interesting read, but I would give it 2.5/5 stars as my official rating.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book really nails it on the head with representation. Ciel addresses the things they directly experience, from the blunt way young people experience things. Additionally, this book is very much a contemporary slice of life look at Ciel. With that being said, I struggled with some aspects of this book. I was never quite sure how old Ciel and their friend group was. Sometimes they felt 12, sometimes (when discussing dating) they felt older. Additionally, I could not tell you distinctly the plot of this book. It felt somewhat aimless in that, things simply happened as moments, while rarely being tied together to any greater plot. If you simply want to read about a kid having fun with friends and experiencing some hard life stuff, then this book is great! If you want a book with a plot that can be followed and a satisfying conclusion, this won't be that book for you.
Perhaps this would have carried over better as a comic, which is what our author is known for. The dialogue was always incredibly fun, and slice of life tends to read better that way (in my opinion). If this book had a little bit more plot or character growth, I would say it's great for kids to read. Unfortunately, I just don't think they'd be as interested in slice of life content as adults.
However, I do have to give it credit for its conversations about non-binary trans experiences and how they differ from binary-trans experiences. As a non-binary person, I really appreciated the way that Ciel looked at things and brought them up to people. The way Ciel was bullied tugged on my heartstrings as something I've always worried about, even in my big adult age.
All in all, this was an interesting read, but I would give it 2.5/5 stars as my official rating.
amengels's review
2.0
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
I'm a cisgendered, straight women who can only review this book through that lens.
The representation in Ciel was (from what I gathered) diverse and a good representation. Ciel is a trans nonbinary teen with other friends who are trans, bi, straight, and there was also a wheelchair-bound side character.
The story reads like a young middle grade book. From my understanding, Ciel is going to what I read as a middle school. They read like a young teen (like 12 or 13). I found some parts very preachy at times which I could see being beneficial to some younger readers.
The book had basically no plot. It felt more like a slice-of-life for Ciel's first few weeks at their new school. I felt like so many more things could have happened and the book just ended. What happened to the GSA? What happened with Stephie and her dad?
Overall, I just wanted more besides the representation. I'm sure this story will be very important to some readers and that's why it's important that it exists.
I'm a cisgendered, straight women who can only review this book through that lens.
The representation in Ciel was (from what I gathered) diverse and a good representation. Ciel is a trans nonbinary teen with other friends who are trans, bi, straight, and there was also a wheelchair-bound side character.
The story reads like a young middle grade book. From my understanding, Ciel is going to what I read as a middle school. They read like a young teen (like 12 or 13). I found some parts very preachy at times which I could see being beneficial to some younger readers.
The book had basically no plot. It felt more like a slice-of-life for Ciel's first few weeks at their new school. I felt like so many more things could have happened and the book just ended. What happened to the GSA? What happened with Stephie and her dad?
Overall, I just wanted more besides the representation. I'm sure this story will be very important to some readers and that's why it's important that it exists.
finesilkflower's review
4.0
This sweet middle grades novel about a nonbinary preteen is gentle and low stakes, but still manages to be realistic and unflinching about the realities of dealing with everyday transphobia. Ciel is fearful when starting middle school because they hate having to explain their nonbinary gender identity, ask teachers to use a different name and pronouns for them (especially when they have no way of knowing which teachers will be understanding and which will be mean and belittling). There's no bathroom for them to use at school. Even in the school's GSA, trans issues are mocked by the cis gay president. Labelle does not give us an easy out by "solving" these ongoing problems, or by Ciel learning not to care. They care deeply. But still you feel that they are going to be okay. Despite the structural issues that are part of their world, they remain hopeful, goal-oriented, and caring. Ciel's support system includes lovable characters, including a loving supportive family and trans friends. As a trans adult who did not deal with these issues in school (I transitioned as an adult), I still found this book very relatable, not the mention the exact sort of book I'd have enjoyed when I was the right age for it - I didn't like traditional, plotty conflict and preferred slice-of-life and/or striving books (i.e. kid tries to do something hard and does it), and this is both.
Stray Observations
* I started to read this in the original French, but I'm not quite fluent enough yet, so I switched to English translation. Maybe I can read it in French now that I know what it says. From a section on raccoons in the first chapter, I did learn the important words "poubelle" (trash can), and "petites pattes" (little paws).
* Ciel's inability to remember names comes across as a bit uncaring, which made them hard to like at first, even though I have the same problem. I eventually came to see this as part of a social phobia that is complexly interrelated with the constant expectation that people will let them down. Too real.
* There's something a little odd about the phrasing; I can't tell if Ciel is intentionally a bit of a weirdo in the way they put things, or if it's the translation. (For example, a shop being described as "morose" to mean that it's kind of goth.)
Stray Observations
* I started to read this in the original French, but I'm not quite fluent enough yet, so I switched to English translation. Maybe I can read it in French now that I know what it says. From a section on raccoons in the first chapter, I did learn the important words "poubelle" (trash can), and "petites pattes" (little paws).
* Ciel's inability to remember names comes across as a bit uncaring, which made them hard to like at first, even though I have the same problem. I eventually came to see this as part of a social phobia that is complexly interrelated with the constant expectation that people will let them down. Too real.
* There's something a little odd about the phrasing; I can't tell if Ciel is intentionally a bit of a weirdo in the way they put things, or if it's the translation. (For example, a shop being described as "morose" to mean that it's kind of goth.)
zoepagereader's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Fun fact: this is the second book in a row I read that has no middle or end. Just beginning all the way through. It didn’t help that the book was so short and full of background, making every page feel like the first one. Because of that and the fact that I somewhat enjoyed it, I will be reading the next.
quirkybibliophile's review
3.0
I find it important when reading middle grade to keep in mind the audience it was written for. In this case this book is written for ages – and it is very apparent throughout the book which is a great thing. Something that did throw me off about this book was how many
opportunities this book had to go deeper into certain topics but it only touched the surface. I think it would have been better if it focused on one thing and not many little things going on in Ciel’s life.
Something that is brought up in this book is the difference in experiences between a non-binary and a binary trans person. Through Ciel and Stephie’s experiences in school and with their friends you see the difference in how they interact with the world and also with each other. I think that the distinction between the two is important to include because it is not just a different experience but also they each view their trans identity differently.
Something else they show by having these different characters is the difference between a trans person who is clearly trans and one who is stealth. I think that this distinction is important to dhowcase in order to show the privilege someone has in others not knowing you are trans. I recognize there are many layers that go into how someone is seen by society and the way they wish to be seen yet I find it important to recognize the privilege that can come with society thinking your cisgender.
I like how Ciel is also an YouTube and how that plays a role in their life. I thought it was important to view their reaction to negative comments and transphobia online. I thought their response was good for their age and love the way they explain those comments to their brother.
There’s several instances of transphobia throughout the book yet most of these moments explain why they are wrong. There were moments in which Ciel would explain to the reader why something was transphobic or they would try and insert themselves in those moments to correct someone.
While I did enjoy this book and find it good the intended age range, I do feel like the end is unfinished. There was no real plot and the problems that did arise didn’t really solve themselves. The end felt like there was more of the story that needed to be told and so many of the problems that arose were either dismissed or not fully solved.
Characters: I like each of the characters that are introduced into the book and like that a majority of the main characters are transgender. Ciel is a latinx non binary person, Stephie is a trans girl, and Liam is a trans boy. I found each of the characters likable but would have liked to see a little bit more of their development.
Writing style: I like how Ciel explains a lot of the terminology that they use as words are introduced into the book. I thought that was a great way to educate the audience without distracting from the story. I also thought it was a good way to introduce identities as they appeared in the story through the different
opportunities this book had to go deeper into certain topics but it only touched the surface. I think it would have been better if it focused on one thing and not many little things going on in Ciel’s life.
Something that is brought up in this book is the difference in experiences between a non-binary and a binary trans person. Through Ciel and Stephie’s experiences in school and with their friends you see the difference in how they interact with the world and also with each other. I think that the distinction between the two is important to include because it is not just a different experience but also they each view their trans identity differently.
Something else they show by having these different characters is the difference between a trans person who is clearly trans and one who is stealth. I think that this distinction is important to dhowcase in order to show the privilege someone has in others not knowing you are trans. I recognize there are many layers that go into how someone is seen by society and the way they wish to be seen yet I find it important to recognize the privilege that can come with society thinking your cisgender.
I like how Ciel is also an YouTube and how that plays a role in their life. I thought it was important to view their reaction to negative comments and transphobia online. I thought their response was good for their age and love the way they explain those comments to their brother.
There’s several instances of transphobia throughout the book yet most of these moments explain why they are wrong. There were moments in which Ciel would explain to the reader why something was transphobic or they would try and insert themselves in those moments to correct someone.
While I did enjoy this book and find it good the intended age range, I do feel like the end is unfinished. There was no real plot and the problems that did arise didn’t really solve themselves. The end felt like there was more of the story that needed to be told and so many of the problems that arose were either dismissed or not fully solved.
Characters: I like each of the characters that are introduced into the book and like that a majority of the main characters are transgender. Ciel is a latinx non binary person, Stephie is a trans girl, and Liam is a trans boy. I found each of the characters likable but would have liked to see a little bit more of their development.
Writing style: I like how Ciel explains a lot of the terminology that they use as words are introduced into the book. I thought that was a great way to educate the audience without distracting from the story. I also thought it was a good way to introduce identities as they appeared in the story through the different