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aclopez6's review against another edition
5.0
(review also posted on Netgalley)
4.5/5 Stars
In my middle grade classroom (I am a teacher), the only nonbinary character representation we had was through George by Alex Gino--which students loved, but also felt a bit young at times (it features a 4th grade protagonist). I was excited to see this book available on Netgalley!
The representation in this book is strong--our main character, Ash (Asher/Ashley -- our 13 year old genderfluid main character) is very honest and direct about his/her feelings towards his/her gender, and how they feel their gender presentation and innate feeling alternates, with their not having any real control over it. Ash has a fairly realistic family--Mom is supportive to the extent of advocating for puberty-blocking medication, while struggling with how to verbalize Ash's struggles (there is a passage were Mom talks about "taking time to decide", which felt a bit cringey, but added to the characters feeling honest and flawed).
We also have Daniel, another 13 year old, who is learning how to navigate his feelings, while feeling as though he is too emotional--despite his friends validating him and seeing his truth. This definitely opens up the opportunity to talk about how to navigate emotions, and how some genders are permitted more range and opportunity with how to express themselves. While this sounds more heavy, there is also an elderly dog named Chewbarka that our characters are seeking to take care of. All in all, I would recommend this be in all middle grade classrooms, and potentially 9th grade rooms. The writing was a bit choppy and disjointed for my preference (although it did support character development, so I am rounding up to 5 stars), so I am not sure I would want to teach this text, but I would certainly recommend to students for independent or book club reading.
4.5/5 Stars
In my middle grade classroom (I am a teacher), the only nonbinary character representation we had was through George by Alex Gino--which students loved, but also felt a bit young at times (it features a 4th grade protagonist). I was excited to see this book available on Netgalley!
The representation in this book is strong--our main character, Ash (Asher/Ashley -- our 13 year old genderfluid main character) is very honest and direct about his/her feelings towards his/her gender, and how they feel their gender presentation and innate feeling alternates, with their not having any real control over it. Ash has a fairly realistic family--Mom is supportive to the extent of advocating for puberty-blocking medication, while struggling with how to verbalize Ash's struggles (there is a passage were Mom talks about "taking time to decide", which felt a bit cringey, but added to the characters feeling honest and flawed).
We also have Daniel, another 13 year old, who is learning how to navigate his feelings, while feeling as though he is too emotional--despite his friends validating him and seeing his truth. This definitely opens up the opportunity to talk about how to navigate emotions, and how some genders are permitted more range and opportunity with how to express themselves. While this sounds more heavy, there is also an elderly dog named Chewbarka that our characters are seeking to take care of. All in all, I would recommend this be in all middle grade classrooms, and potentially 9th grade rooms. The writing was a bit choppy and disjointed for my preference (although it did support character development, so I am rounding up to 5 stars), so I am not sure I would want to teach this text, but I would certainly recommend to students for independent or book club reading.
charliejaxx's review against another edition
DNF @48%. While I adored all the representations, the book just seemed repetitive. Ash having the same thoughts over and over and over again. I didn't like Ash and Daniel.
Also wtf is doggo?
Also wtf is doggo?
rhymeswithshmo's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
5.0
random_being's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Animal death, Animal cruelty, and Outing
Moderate: Homophobia, Bullying, and Hate crime
carleybookandcatlover12's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
This book was amazing. The characters really developed through the book.
elliott_roi's review against another edition
4.0
Woof. Both Can Be True has been on my TBR for a while and I'm glad I finally got to it!
This book had a lot going on, but I think all the elements worked well together in the end. Told in dual POV, the story follow Ash and Daniel as they work together to save a dog named Chewbarka (best name!)
Both MCs also have other struggles, particularly Ash with their gender and Daniel with being "too emotional." Some of the themes felt a bit on-the-nose, but I did like all the characters and felt they had a lot of nuance and complexity.
Overall, I think this book is valuable for the lessons it teaches about gender diversity and being true to yourself. I'm glad this book exists, especially for younger folks to read.
This book had a lot going on, but I think all the elements worked well together in the end. Told in dual POV, the story follow Ash and Daniel as they work together to save a dog named Chewbarka (best name!)
Both MCs also have other struggles, particularly Ash with their gender and Daniel with being "too emotional." Some of the themes felt a bit on-the-nose, but I did like all the characters and felt they had a lot of nuance and complexity.
Overall, I think this book is valuable for the lessons it teaches about gender diversity and being true to yourself. I'm glad this book exists, especially for younger folks to read.
arrr's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
My 6th grader recommended this to me as his favorite read so far this year. Beautiful story about kids overcoming bullying, navigating early relationships, and fighting for what's important to them. Also, some excellent modelling for parents to be supportive without taking over or causing distance by instilling their views on their kids.
c_dmckinney's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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
4.75
The only reason I am not giving this a five star rating is because I absolutely hated how the original owner of Chewbarka was made out to be cruel for taking a senior dog with a deteriorating quality of life and fairly involved special needs to be put to sleep. He was wrong for lying to his family about what happened to Chewbarka, but I have a lot of sympathy for someone who cannot for whatever reason provide the right kind of ongoing care to an aging dog. Euthanasia is not always cruel or wrong.
That said this book was absolutely beautiful and I wish everyone with queer young people in their lives would read it. Honestly I would recommend it to everyone, maybe especially people who don't have (or don't think they have any) genderqueer people in their lives.
I found the author's exploration of understanding one's gender and gender roles very considerate and sincere. It was raw and tender and not too neat. It was compassionate to a perspective that I have never previously seen explored well at all much less in middle grade fiction.
This was a very sweet young romance set in the backdrop of the trials and tribulations of middle school where identity and fitting in is perhaps the hardest in any young person's life.
Also this is somewhat unrelated but I can tell the author spends A LOT of time in various online communities. There's a lot of language that is definitely not used offline. I found it terribly endearing, but that is because I also use online lingo offline sometimes.
That said this book was absolutely beautiful and I wish everyone with queer young people in their lives would read it. Honestly I would recommend it to everyone, maybe especially people who don't have (or don't think they have any) genderqueer people in their lives.
I found the author's exploration of understanding one's gender and gender roles very considerate and sincere. It was raw and tender and not too neat. It was compassionate to a perspective that I have never previously seen explored well at all much less in middle grade fiction.
This was a very sweet young romance set in the backdrop of the trials and tribulations of middle school where identity and fitting in is perhaps the hardest in any young person's life.
Also this is somewhat unrelated but I can tell the author spends A LOT of time in various online communities. There's a lot of language that is definitely not used offline. I found it terribly endearing, but that is because I also use online lingo offline sometimes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Death, Misogyny, Outing, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Transphobia, Animal death, Bullying, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Misogyny, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Deadnaming, Death, Dementia, and Injury/Injury detail
lookatjimmy's review against another edition
4.0
brb texting all my teacher friends to add this to their class mandatory reading list
temitematem's review against another edition
5.0
i love ash and danny with all my heart ans chewbarka too :((