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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
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
alexutzu's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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
4.5
I am glad that I decided to pick this up. It was an enjoyable but emotional book that hit in many ways, covering a growing-up story of the two main characters. I really liked the support that the two provided for each other and the realisations that they both found out about. The friendship/romance part was cute and the story was wholesome and built in a nicely paced way. Many topics were intertwined, from the love for dogs to music, photography and synesthesia, from gender-related aspects to social expectations and diversity.
The novel had also some relevant and informative takes on parenting and self-development, which made me feel like it would be more interesting for young adults rather than for kids. I also felt that the art elements scattered throughout the book made the reading experience more immersive.
The novel had also some relevant and informative takes on parenting and self-development, which made me feel like it would be more interesting for young adults rather than for kids. I also felt that the art elements scattered throughout the book made the reading experience more immersive.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Deadnaming, and Transphobia
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Excrement, and Outing
blackberryjambaby's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing, Sexism, Abandonment, Violence, Misogyny, Bullying, Grief, Hate crime, Transphobia, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Ableism, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Classism
autumnruth's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Outing, and Transphobia
citrus_seasalt's review against another edition
4.0
I can write a review now, I’m not in horrifying pain! Finally!! (I finished this while in the trenches of healing from my wisdom teeth surgery.)
I wish so badly I got to have this book as a middle schooler!! Ash connected with me so deeply. Like them, I was openly genderfluid in middle school, it took me very long to feel comfortable with the label “trans” because I wasn’t sure if that was actually me if I still felt comfortable being feminine part-time(spoilers: I use “trans” and “nonbinary” labels in the present day!), we both went through our own crisis of experiencing gender differently depending on the day but not being a label such as bi or pan so…how on earth would we address ourselves, and also, both of us perceive sound in a funky way!! (Ash clearly has synesthesia, I have no clue if I do, but sometimes I’ll be hit with colors mid-song, or flavor mid-feeling). Although I was a bit turned off by how long it took for Ash to not fit their different switches and forms of expression into different gender roles, half of that was justified by the attitudes towards their gender they’ve been shown(not saying it was right, there’s just a narrative reason for it), and thankfully, that was resolved by the end.
I also really enjoyed the character development! Ash and Daniel both mature as the story progresses, which is evident in the evolution of how they understand themselves, and how they can move on from their past. (With Ash, it’s their trauma, with Daniel, it’s taking responsibility.) I especially loved how Daniel’s emotional vulnerability/intelligence was handled, he sends a good message towards the readers of this book: recognize your emotions and feel them without ridicule, but don’t only consider your own feelings when others are involved. In the plot department, there’s not much going on, but Chewbarka was a good character to bring them together, and was very endearing, too.
My only other gripes with this story are that I felt pretty dysphoric reading Daniel’s POV for most of the book, he (unintentionally) frequently misgenders Ash as they try to make themselves more girly for him and it’s painful to read. I was scared for his reaction for when Ash came out, and thought I had some of that fear justified but I’m glad that his disappointment and anger didn’t come from Ash being genderfluid(..mostly), but from them hiding an important part of themself from him. For a middle grade, ”Both Can Be True” has a lot of heavy subject matter, which isn’t a problem but might make it harder to digest for its target demographic.
I wish so badly I got to have this book as a middle schooler!! Ash connected with me so deeply. Like them, I was openly genderfluid in middle school, it took me very long to feel comfortable with the label “trans” because I wasn’t sure if that was actually me if I still felt comfortable being feminine part-time(spoilers: I use “trans” and “nonbinary” labels in the present day!), we both went through our own crisis of experiencing gender differently depending on the day but not being a label such as bi or pan so…how on earth would we address ourselves, and also, both of us perceive sound in a funky way!! (Ash clearly has synesthesia, I have no clue if I do, but sometimes I’ll be hit with colors mid-song, or flavor mid-feeling). Although I was a bit turned off by how long it took for Ash to not fit their different switches and forms of expression into different gender roles, half of that was justified by the attitudes towards their gender they’ve been shown(not saying it was right, there’s just a narrative reason for it), and thankfully, that was resolved by the end.
I also really enjoyed the character development! Ash and Daniel both mature as the story progresses, which is evident in the evolution of how they understand themselves, and how they can move on from their past. (With Ash, it’s their trauma, with Daniel, it’s taking responsibility.) I especially loved how Daniel’s emotional vulnerability/intelligence was handled, he sends a good message towards the readers of this book: recognize your emotions and feel them without ridicule, but don’t only consider your own feelings when others are involved. In the plot department, there’s not much going on, but Chewbarka was a good character to bring them together, and was very endearing, too.
My only other gripes with this story are that I felt pretty dysphoric reading Daniel’s POV for most of the book, he (unintentionally) frequently misgenders Ash as they try to make themselves more girly for him and it’s painful to read. I was scared for his reaction for when Ash came out, and thought I had some of that fear justified but I’m glad that his disappointment and anger didn’t come from Ash being genderfluid(..mostly), but from them hiding an important part of themself from him. For a middle grade, ”Both Can Be True” has a lot of heavy subject matter, which isn’t a problem but might make it harder to digest for its target demographic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Deadnaming
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Transphobia, and Homophobia
Minor: Infidelity
february_friday's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.5
A middle grade novel about a genderfluid kid with synesthesia falling in love with an emotional boy that saved a dog from being euthanized? SIGN ME UP
I knew this was a book for me, a queer coming of age with no plot except for a dog named chewbarka. It was great, and I only cried twice, which is unprecedented. I loved how the conflict was resolved by something really simple called communication that is not often represented in books.
The only think I maybe didn't like was that the end felt a little rushed.
It also felt more YA than middle grade, considering that the characters were in fact teenagers and it dealt with a lot of hard topics surrounding transphobia in a more explicit manner. It didn't ruin my experience at all but sometimes it just makes me mad that publishing only considers YA the books that have main characters over 15 years old even though a lot of the people that read YA are tweens and early teenagers??
I knew this was a book for me, a queer coming of age with no plot except for a dog named chewbarka. It was great, and I only cried twice, which is unprecedented. I loved how the conflict was resolved by something really simple called communication that is not often represented in books.
The only think I maybe didn't like was that the end felt a little rushed.
It also felt more YA than middle grade, considering that the characters were in fact teenagers and it dealt with a lot of hard topics surrounding transphobia in a more explicit manner. It didn't ruin my experience at all but sometimes it just makes me mad that publishing only considers YA the books that have main characters over 15 years old even though a lot of the people that read YA are tweens and early teenagers??
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Bullying
Moderate: Grief and Infidelity
james1star's review against another edition
adventurous
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
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
In ‘Both Can Be True’ we follow the dual-POVs of Ash who is struggling to come to terms with their gender identity, and Daniel who’s more emotional then his fellow middle-schoolers. I guess the central plot is how Daniel is put in the predicament of caring for an adorable old Pomeranian Chewbarka and how he can’t tell anyone of her whereabouts without dire consequences, and to his aid comes Ash who’s roped in on saving the aforementioned ’doofy floof’ too. But outside of this storyline, Machias lets these characters try to deal with their ‘flaws’ in a world where there’s a gender binary of girl or boy and one that shames male-presenting people for showing emotion. I loved how this book can act as a way to tell those struggling with similar questions (and the family, friends, educators, etc of them) and to see themselves represented. To further this, I found the representation across queer and racial lines to be great with a very diverse and inclusive cast of characters. They’re all pretty much likeable too, albeit with nuance, with Ash and Daniel being great MCs to follow along with, both so kind and real. I did really like this and I was for sure being pulled forward by the character interactions (the plot too but less so) and just very happy the messages or discussions are taking place in a book aimed at a middle grade audience - there’s topics like bullying and trans(umbrella)phobia which I think was again handed with nuance in an age-appropriate manner.
I did find the discourse on the use of labels to maybe lack the nuance it deserves. There are a couple of times where labelling someone or thinking about it is negated as unnecessary, mostly by Ash. I totally understand for them it was something they battled with, finding certain labels to be confining and not allowing for their true identity to express freely. And likewise, for many labels can cause harm. BUT (a big one, yes) labels can be really helpful and important for some people too - Ash’s longtime best friend Griffey does feel comfort and pride in being gay and I felt he added some nuance, but overall I got the sense there was more of an anti-label stance being put forward by Ash… and Machias too. Another problem I thought could’ve been questioned a bit more was maybe the reasoning for Daniel’s ‘over-emotional’ tendencies - I’m not saying it’s not ‘normal’ (whatever that means) to show emotions but from personal experience I feel there’s possibly something else going on with his mental health, such as the breakdown of his parent’s marriage for starters but others too. It’s definitely possible he is ‘fine’ but just so happens to be more in tune with his emotions and letting them be expressed but it’s a question not asked where it could’ve been useful to do so. Last negative point was that I felt some parts dragged and were rehashing the same thoughts/messages over and over which could’ve been omitted.
Overall, I would still really recommend this book and it was an enjoyable read. The fact anything like this explicitly exploring gender identity, gendered stereotypes and more aimed at children is being published is really great. I hope people can find this and see themselves represented so thank you Jules for writing this. I mean read this quote that perfectly summarises the cusp this book is trying to tell readers:
‘Really, nothing about how it feels to be alive is strictly a one-or-the-other game: happy or sad, scared or mad, hopeful or despairing. Introvert or extrovert. Boy or girl. Kid or teenager. There's a little of each one in its opposite, and that's what makes life so complex and interesting. More painful, yeah, but also... richer. More real.’
P.S. Chewbarka is just the cutest ever like wow! ADORABLE!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Transphobia
Minor: Deadnaming, Dysphoria, Misogyny, Animal death, Homophobia, and Hate crime
careinthelibrary's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Transphobia, Animal death, Bullying, Dysphoria, and Outing
Moderate: Hate crime, Toxic friendship, Sexism, Abandonment, and Homophobia
Minor: Car accident
jaredt's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
"...You gotta use your grief or your anger or whatever to make things better. Got me?"
The cover signaled to me, so I picked it up to give it a go. I was very pleased with it. This story has well rounded characters, believable and engaging both with the kids and the adults.
I loved the dynamic between Ash and Daniel. Ash's own internal struggle with not just their own gender, but others who weren't quite lined up with the binary expectations was a neat struggle. I also loved that Ash also has synthesia, and how that shapes how Ash reads and interacts with the world.
Daniel is also a wonderful kid, and I loved the focus of his emotional journey, between his own sense of self worth and trying to juggle the expectations of his family.
Ash's mom is my favorite adult, and I really like how Tina's character is handled as well.
Overall, this was a sweet book, with nice introspection and dialogue between all the different characters (except Ash's dad I hate him). It does a good job at building the tension, and has well put together ending.
The cover signaled to me, so I picked it up to give it a go. I was very pleased with it. This story has well rounded characters, believable and engaging both with the kids and the adults.
I loved the dynamic between Ash and Daniel. Ash's own internal struggle with not just their own gender, but others who weren't quite lined up with the binary expectations was a neat struggle. I also loved that Ash also has synthesia, and how that shapes how Ash reads and interacts with the world.
Daniel is also a wonderful kid, and I loved the focus of his emotional journey, between his own sense of self worth and trying to juggle the expectations of his family.
Ash's mom is my favorite adult, and I really like how Tina's character is handled as well.
Overall, this was a sweet book, with nice introspection and dialogue between all the different characters (except Ash's dad I hate him). It does a good job at building the tension, and has well put together ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Outing, and Transphobia
Moderate: Animal death, Excrement, and Dysphoria
Excrement is in relation to the dog who