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graceheartsbooks's review against another edition
2.0
As a person who is LGBTQ+ (asexual) I do prefer when books have casual representation or have characters accept it immediately even if they’re not entirely certain of their thoughts on LGBTQ+ characters (ie: something like in Magnus Chase: The Hammer of Thor). Having said that, I do think it is important to have representation for characters that aren’t initially accepting but learn to be later on.
Izzy is 12 and starting year 8 (which in the US is equivalent to 7th grade). She’s hoping to get into her school’s production of ‘Guys and Dolls’ but her life is upended when her dad comes out as trans.
Izzy and her older sister Megan (16), unlike their younger brother Jamie (who is 5), don’t initially accept Danielle as they are uncomfortable with what this means for their family (it is sweet though that despite her own apprehension, Danielle’s wife is accepting of her and supports her through the transition). They also live in a small town so (as far as I can tell) haven’t encountered many LGBTQ+ people before if at all. So I think this could be a good book for kids who maybe are curious about trans people or know someone who is trans and aren’t entirely sure how to react to that.
However, despite a content warning in the description and the beginning of the book, I don’t think the transphobia in this book was handled well and could be triggering for a lot of trans people even with a content warning. There are moments where characters equate being trans to men wearing dresses and the deadnaming could be a lot for some people. I don’t know what the writing process for this book was but perhaps a sensitivity reader being involved would’ve helped (although I don’t know how long they have really been a thing tbh). From a quick glance at the author’s others works, she has written a few nonfiction LGBTQ+ books and is LGBTQ+ herself but my point still stands.
We can always keep reading and growing and improving ourselves and our ways of representing different groups.
I also didn’t particular care for Izzy’s school issues or her friend’s crush drama but that is a very moot point.
Overall, it’s not a perfect portrayal and pretty simplistic but in my opinion, still necessary for middle grade readers (trying my best not to be too harsh as—in case it wasn’t obvious from my other reviews—I am not a trans person and not a middle grader. I cannot speak properly on whether this is the best representation for trans individuals or whether this is an enjoyable middle grade book but it was not for me so therefore it is getting two stars)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming and Transphobia
Minor: Religious bigotry
bookishperseus's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.0
kittynoell's review
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
4.5
booknerdjo's review
4.0
This was a re-read from a couple of years ago for my school book club.
The story is told from the perspective of Izzy, a 12 year-old girl whose world is turned upside down when her father comes out as a trans woman.
I felt that the book was honest and frank, and dealt with a very complex muddle of emotions from Izzy and her older sister Megan. Also, of course, Izzy is just trying to be a normal girl and fit in at school - her dad's announcement is the last thing she needs.
Izzy faces prejudice and bullying, and blames her dad for the problems she is having, but she also find alliances and friendships in unexpected places.
Yes, it's a book about a trans woman finding her place in her family and the world, but also about a young girl learning to stand up for herself and for those she loves, and learning to have a voice.
The story is told from the perspective of Izzy, a 12 year-old girl whose world is turned upside down when her father comes out as a trans woman.
I felt that the book was honest and frank, and dealt with a very complex muddle of emotions from Izzy and her older sister Megan. Also, of course, Izzy is just trying to be a normal girl and fit in at school - her dad's announcement is the last thing she needs.
Izzy faces prejudice and bullying, and blames her dad for the problems she is having, but she also find alliances and friendships in unexpected places.
Yes, it's a book about a trans woman finding her place in her family and the world, but also about a young girl learning to stand up for herself and for those she loves, and learning to have a voice.
alinetrochu's review
hopeful
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? No
3.5
starkva's review
3.0
This book addresses the challenge of a parent coming out as trans, for a fairly young audience. I didn't feel it was a perfect portrayal, but it was a nice story which ultimately showed that love can persist.
smalltownbookmom's review
3.0
This was a moving British middle grade novel featuring Izzy, a young girl whose father comes out as a trans woman and the way that impacts Izzy's family and school life. Perfect for fans of Different kinds of fruit by Kyle Lukoff and good on audio narrated by Jodie Mitchell.
libby_gt's review
4.0
This was an interesting, accessible read told from the perspective of a girl whose father comes out as transgender when she is twelve. I thought that some of the issues at hand were a little oversimplified (presumably because of the younger target audience) but the author does a good job of encouraging the reader to assess their own biases and be accepting and empathetic. A good starting point to discuss transgender experiences with KS2 children.
hillsax's review
2.0
I appreciate that the publishing world is starting to be interested in books featuring trans parents, but this isn't the best way to do it. A lot of the transphobic language and incorrect terminology wasn't unpacked and corrected for readers. I'm not sure a kid of a trans parent OR the trans parent themself would appreciate or recognize themselves in this story. It feels like it was written more for cis children of cis parents to sympathize with an experience that isn't even accurately portrayed.
lizziebernard's review
2.0
2.5 stars - i think the message was good of course however i think this book was written for younger people so wasn’t very complex but still a good story