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4.45 AVERAGE
4.45 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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:
No
I feel so seen and heard, and I wish I’d had an aunt and uncle like Murray’s.
I read this in one sitting, it’s so pretty and heartfelt, and it made me want to cry. There’s so much love in the world, and I wish that more people could understand love in the way that this book delivers it. It is kindness and support and friendship through the good and the bad.
I’m so happy for Murray, and I wish her the bestest, brightest, and queerest future.
I read this in one sitting, it’s so pretty and heartfelt, and it made me want to cry. There’s so much love in the world, and I wish that more people could understand love in the way that this book delivers it. It is kindness and support and friendship through the good and the bad.
I’m so happy for Murray, and I wish her the bestest, brightest, and queerest future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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:
No
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This has my favorite trope: found family. Hard to read at times because of Murray's mom but love that she was able to find her people.
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Transphobia
A fast-paced, adorable Middle Grade in verse about family, friendship, identity, and the power of the ocean.
Also, the PERFECT read for a pride month beach read.
Also, the PERFECT read for a pride month beach read.
I love Murray and her found family! The magic is so beautiful.
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
lavallette AND boygenius rep?!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Minor: Bullying, Transphobia, Gaslighting, Dysphoria
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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:
Complicated
Truly a beautiful, heartbreaking, wonderful story of friendship, family, love, and identity. I could just keep listing adjectives for this book... emotional, devastating, heartwarming, stunning... I could go on... It's always so hard for me to write a good review for a book that really moved me. I think this book could be used to teach empathy because the characters are all so compelling, even the gaslighting mom (who literally triggered me... that's how you know it's good writing). I just freaking loved this book. It's so good. I got watery-eyed at so many parts throughout and I even cried at the author's note!!!!
emotional
inspiring
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
*NOTE* Though this book follows Murray's exploration of gender identity, the pronouns used throughout are she/her, so that is what I use in my review.
Murray feels at home by the ocean. In fact, she discovered that she even has magic powers related to the ocean. But after a hurricane strikes, Murray and her family have to move further inland to stay with her aunt and uncle. Without the ocean, Murray has no escape from her mother's insistence on Murray being more "ladylike." Soon, Murray's magic seems to have disappeared. As Murray settles into this new normal, she befriends Dylan, who has magic of his own. As he helps Murray try to rediscover her magic, she also finds the courage to start exploring her own identity- she's not quite a girl, but not quite a boy either. Will Murray be able to regain her magic and the strength to stand up to her family and express her true self?
Y'ALL. 5 stars is not enough for this book. Murray's journey felt so authentic. I cried because I felt so seen by this book. and I tabbed so many pages, including:
"I don't know if I want to wear
girls' or boys' clothes.
I think I just want
Murray clothes."
"Why does being a girl have to look one way
and a boy another?
Who made those rules in the first place,
and why do we still have to listen to them?
Can I make my own rules?
And if I do, what does that mean for me?"
"Most of the time I feel like Murray,
but I don't think I have a word for that yet."
This is a beautifully written novel in verse. It reads quickly and feels very real, with some magical realism thrown in. Murray's struggles with her family are also very real, with her mother being adamant that Murray wears dresses and acts like a proper lady. The elements of found family and the importance of queer kids finding trusted adults are done perfectly.
This is a book that I will be talking about for a long, long time.
Murray feels at home by the ocean. In fact, she discovered that she even has magic powers related to the ocean. But after a hurricane strikes, Murray and her family have to move further inland to stay with her aunt and uncle. Without the ocean, Murray has no escape from her mother's insistence on Murray being more "ladylike." Soon, Murray's magic seems to have disappeared. As Murray settles into this new normal, she befriends Dylan, who has magic of his own. As he helps Murray try to rediscover her magic, she also finds the courage to start exploring her own identity- she's not quite a girl, but not quite a boy either. Will Murray be able to regain her magic and the strength to stand up to her family and express her true self?
Y'ALL. 5 stars is not enough for this book. Murray's journey felt so authentic. I cried because I felt so seen by this book. and I tabbed so many pages, including:
"I don't know if I want to wear
girls' or boys' clothes.
I think I just want
Murray clothes."
"Why does being a girl have to look one way
and a boy another?
Who made those rules in the first place,
and why do we still have to listen to them?
Can I make my own rules?
And if I do, what does that mean for me?"
"Most of the time I feel like Murray,
but I don't think I have a word for that yet."
This is a beautifully written novel in verse. It reads quickly and feels very real, with some magical realism thrown in. Murray's struggles with her family are also very real, with her mother being adamant that Murray wears dresses and acts like a proper lady. The elements of found family and the importance of queer kids finding trusted adults are done perfectly.
This is a book that I will be talking about for a long, long time.
Absolutely heartbreaking read about losing and refinding your magic. Definitely know parents like this. So much I loved about this book. You can’t help but love Murray. My heart goes out to all the Murrays and Patricks and Dylans out there.