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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
readinme's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
charlottesomewhere's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? N/A
Izzy's dad is transitioning and it is an adjustment for the whole family, we see how they all react differently and I am sure their story will help many readers. Such a gorgeous story of family, friendship, acceptance and love.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Religious bigotry, and Transphobia
that_bookworm_guy's review
emotional
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? Yes
3.5
This is a very quick read and it's enjoyable.
I am a trans person, and this is something I mention every time I read a book with trans characters and themes. I am aware that I'm also not the target audience because I am 25.
This book is written by someone who is cis (not trans) but the author mentions that she had trans readers to help her, and it does show. However I do feel like this book is written for cis people. It explains stuff about what it means to be trans and it's written in a way that just doesn't strike me as being aimed at trans people. But this may be a great introduction book for children.
There are trans slurs throughout and I'm always a little bit iffy when these are shared within kids book. Thankfully, some of them are called out, but there are comments through the book that are used in a hateful way towards trans people in real life, mainly trans women.
The story is fairly simple, but that's middle-grade fiction.
If you want to read books about trans characters, I say try to read them by trans authors, but this is a great introduction and I'm glad this book is out there
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
kerry123's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia
valereads's review
challenging
emotional
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
First thing I want to be clear about when reviewing this book is I am transgender. I am trans masculine rather than a trans woman like Dee and I'm certainly not a parent but I am coming from a background of someone who has come out as trangender to family and friends and I am reviewing this book with my own life experience in mind.
If you want to read books about trans people I will always always recommend you pick books by trans authors. That said, if you are going to pick a book about trans people written by a cisgender author, this one is a good choice.
There was a lot of controversy last year about a book with a similar premise: a cis author writing about a trans woman coming out from the point of view of a cisgender family member. Boyne's book drew a lot of criticism from the community for the outright offensive approach and lack of consultation with real trans people. I am pleased to say that Hagger-Holt did not make the same mistakes as Boyne.
This book takes an honest approach to what it's like to have a family member come out and begin transitioning while always being respectful towards the trans people involved. Not every member of Dee's family is accepting at first but they all come to understand and love her for who she is by learning more about the trans community and just what it means to be transgender.
This was a wonderful middle grade contemporary that I flew through and I'd absolutely recommend it. In fact I am considering buying this book for my younger brother who was a little way off beginning primary school when I came out and began transitioning.
I’d also like to take a moment to recommend some trans authors who readers who enjoyed this book should check out. Alex Gino, Lucas Hasten, and Lisa Bunker write middle grade books. For older readers Meredith Russo and Anna-Marie McLemore are a must read. And if you’re interested in non-fiction C.N. Lester’s Trans Like Me and Trans Britain edited by Christine Burns explore many of the same issues Nothing Ever Happens Here does and more besides.
Content Warnings: bullying, transphobia, misgendering
If you want to read books about trans people I will always always recommend you pick books by trans authors. That said, if you are going to pick a book about trans people written by a cisgender author, this one is a good choice.
There was a lot of controversy last year about a book with a similar premise: a cis author writing about a trans woman coming out from the point of view of a cisgender family member. Boyne's book drew a lot of criticism from the community for the outright offensive approach and lack of consultation with real trans people. I am pleased to say that Hagger-Holt did not make the same mistakes as Boyne.
This book takes an honest approach to what it's like to have a family member come out and begin transitioning while always being respectful towards the trans people involved. Not every member of Dee's family is accepting at first but they all come to understand and love her for who she is by learning more about the trans community and just what it means to be transgender.
This was a wonderful middle grade contemporary that I flew through and I'd absolutely recommend it. In fact I am considering buying this book for my younger brother who was a little way off beginning primary school when I came out and began transitioning.
I’d also like to take a moment to recommend some trans authors who readers who enjoyed this book should check out. Alex Gino, Lucas Hasten, and Lisa Bunker write middle grade books. For older readers Meredith Russo and Anna-Marie McLemore are a must read. And if you’re interested in non-fiction C.N. Lester’s Trans Like Me and Trans Britain edited by Christine Burns explore many of the same issues Nothing Ever Happens Here does and more besides.
Content Warnings: bullying, transphobia, misgendering
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Deadnaming, Homophobia, and Transphobia
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