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4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
It's so good.
So good.
11/10
I asked our library to add this to their shelves without having read it, but let's just say I had a hunch that it would be marvelous. And that hunch was right.
I wish I had read this in middle school. HBTQ+ tween-books were non-existent back then and they're still not common so this is just a true treasure. Such sensitive writing and charming charcters, a plot that has the chance to do some "obvious shortcuts" but doesn't. It's sensitive and respectful and funny and gorgeous. Something I always fear when a book references something (read: historical fantasy/fiction) it'll feel forced - but the Shakespeare references were beautifully done! You could know absolutely nada about Romeo and Juliet and still enjoy this book to its fullest!
Very good will always recommend.
So good.
11/10
I asked our library to add this to their shelves without having read it, but let's just say I had a hunch that it would be marvelous. And that hunch was right.
I wish I had read this in middle school. HBTQ+ tween-books were non-existent back then and they're still not common so this is just a true treasure. Such sensitive writing and charming charcters, a plot that has the chance to do some "obvious shortcuts" but doesn't. It's sensitive and respectful and funny and gorgeous. Something I always fear when a book references something (read: historical fantasy/fiction) it'll feel forced - but the Shakespeare references were beautifully done! You could know absolutely nada about Romeo and Juliet and still enjoy this book to its fullest!
Very good will always recommend.
I wasn't really sure what to expect with this book, but I've been interested in reading it since I heard about it. It was sweet! I really enjoyed the main characters, especially Mattie's friends. And I appreciated the cleverly inserted Romeo + Juliet themes into the main story itself. It felt like Barbara Dee did a good job of diving into the middle grade world, which I also appreciated.
SapphicAThon: MC realises they're queer
Very pure and very sweet. It's great to have a book where the main character is 12 when she realises she has a crush on another girl.
Very pure and very sweet. It's great to have a book where the main character is 12 when she realises she has a crush on another girl.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
emotional
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:
Complicated
has got to be one of the cutest books i’ve read. adorable lgbtq+ relationship sprouts in matties 9th grade year. loved it: comfort book.
I'm aware that this is a middle grade book, but I still think there could have been a little more exploration of the big reveal. We view the story through the main character's eyes, yet when she makes a life-changing discovery, she does not really think about it beyond the immediate situation she's in.
Still, this story was a fun, Shakespeare-flavored little romance and I'm glad books like it exist for kids who might be dipping their toes into those (both Shakespeare and dealing with who you're romantically interested in) waters for the first time.
Still, this story was a fun, Shakespeare-flavored little romance and I'm glad books like it exist for kids who might be dipping their toes into those (both Shakespeare and dealing with who you're romantically interested in) waters for the first time.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
This book was so fantastic. I loved it from the start, and couldn't put it down! I loved Mattie, and felt that her character was very real and well-written. I loved the Shakespeare part in it, and above all else, I loved the relationship between Mattie and Gemma. It was sweet, and moving; Mattie's feelings for Gemma, and how she wrestles with them were true and relatable. I was cheering for them all the way. I'm extremely glad that I found this book.
This was absolutely adorable and necessary. It's perfectly appropriate for the age group, discusses crushes in an excellent way, and just captures those feelings of middle school so well. Loved it.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia