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gold_star_reader's review against another edition
- 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
That is a quote on the cover of this book from Jarrett Krosoczka and is a very apt description. Aiden is struggling to find what being a boy/man means while at scouting camp. He finds solace in his pen pal and is nervous about the start of a new school in the fall. He's hoping for a fresh start and to escape his tormentors who constantly call him guy. But he's pretty sure he isn't gay. Probably.
This book covers bullying and self harm and homophbia and fatshaming in a confused early teenaged boy's life. The use of color is dramatic and poignant in this graphic novel with lots of metaphoric imagery.
Best for a high school library with swearing, sex jokes, and self harm topics.
Graphic: Xenophobia, Suicide attempt, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Homophobia
Moderate: Racism, Misogyny, Bullying, and Fatphobia
Minor: Body shaming
bickie's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
While there is a fair amount of crude language, cursing, and gross locker room-type behavior, this book would be great for any middle schooler boy who does not feel entirely comfortable with hyper- and toxic masculinity.
There is crude language, including curse words, primarily but not exclusively spoken by the bullies. A lot of it is homophobic, such as making innuendoes about hot dogs and buns. There is one scene where Aiden enters a tent where the boys are hanging out "taking care of business" and realizes that they are masturbating into a soda bottle one by one. If one of them doesn't contribute any "cum," he has to drink it.
Graphic: Homophobia, Religious bigotry, Fatphobia, Cursing, Body shaming, Fire/Fire injury, Dysphoria, Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Bullying
Moderate: Violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Injury/Injury detail, and Misogyny
demetrius_bennett's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Fatphobia, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racism, Body shaming, Bullying, Religious bigotry, Outing, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Hate crime, Sexual content, and Misogyny
Minor: Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Pedophilia, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Self harm, Suicide, Terminal illness, and Sexual harassment
buttermellow's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Bullying, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Fatphobia, Religious bigotry, Body shaming, and Sexual harassment
robinks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Fatphobia, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Bullying, and Misogyny
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Blood, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
Minor: Domestic abuse, Outing, and Sexual content
spookieboogie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Fatphobia, Homophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Body shaming, Religious bigotry, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, and Racial slurs
Minor: Blood, Cursing, Self harm, Outing, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
brogan7's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
I loved the illustrations, the characters (Aiden himself but also his friends at camp, his girl pen pal best friend, his counsellors and his family). They were all complicated and imperfect and "real" because of it...it reminded me of how fraught those years are, grades 7-8-9...and I don't say that just in a lighthearted way. How hard it is to navigate identity when you're just starting out, and you don't have the understanding to name your own frame of reference...how hard it is to not fit in.
It also shows how deeply misogynistic and toxic adolescent boy culture is...which makes me sad for all of us.
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Homophobia, Body shaming, and Misogyny
tinyelfarcanist's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I was excited to read this highly rated queer tale. Unfortunately, I couldn't relate to the MC and the character development felt rushed.
Graphic: Homophobia, Bullying, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Outing, Sexual content, Misogyny, Racism, and Body shaming
Minor: Fatphobia