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briarrose1021's review against another edition
5.0
Izzy has landed one of the main parts in her school play, Guys and Dolls, and is excited to be able to share the news with her family. But when she gets home, instead of sharing her news and having everyone be excited for her, her dad takes the spotlight by announcing to the family that he's transgender and will be starting to transition to female and using she/her pronouns.
While Izzy's 5-year-old brother accepts the news without a problem, 12-year-old Izzy and 16-year-old Megan struggle with the news initially. But, as they struggle with the news at home, navigating concerns like what to call dad now that dad isn't...dad anymore, and what the news means for her parent's marriage, the two girls also have to struggle with what will happen when the news gets out at school. Izzy also faces many difficulties with the bullies at school, especially once the news gets out at school.
This book is a wonderful addition to the growing group of LGBTQ+ literature. Even when there is still a lot of bigotry and pushback against anything trans, books like these are being published - stories in which LGBTQ+ individuals of all ages exist. In this book, as in real life, there is pushback from some in the community, but I really enjoyed reading this story. It is wonderful to see LGBTQ+ individuals being represented, being present, and just being. As Megan puts it at one point:
Some people are trans. Get over it.
Some people are gay. Get over it.
Some people are bi. Get over it.
As more and more of these books are published, normalizing the existence of all people, more kids will see themselves represented in books, and that is a wonderful goal.
For this book, I listened to the audiobook version, which is narrated by Jodie Mitchell. She did a fabulous job with the narration, drawing me in almost immediately, and really seemed to capture the thoughts and feelings Izzy was struggling with. So, whether you read or listen to this book, I think you will enjoy it.
I do think it needs to be stated that there is quite a bit of misgendering by Izzy and Megan early in the book, after their Dad has come out to them, as they struggle with the news. While there are those who might say this misgendering is terrible, I do think its inclusion is authentic. Not every child whose parent comes out as trans is going to be able to jump immediately to trans-affirming language and behavior. Most of the misgendering occurs when Izzy and Megan are talking to each other about their dad and what name they should now use since "dad" doesn't seem appropriate anymore. So, while there is misgendering, it feels authentic and appropriate given the situation.
This book joins a group of others that I have read recently featuring LGBTQ+ individuals: Rick by Alex Gino, The Pants Project by Cat Clarke, Ana on the Edge by A. J. Sass, and The Greatest Superpower by Alex Sanchez for middle grades and The Witch King and The Fae Keeper by H. E. Edgmon for older teenagers and adults. All of these have been absolutely fabulous at telling the stories of non-cis individuals and providing characters for LGBTQ+ children and teenagers to identify with in the books they read and I have loved reading each one of them. I also look forward to reading more books with LGBTQ+ characters just existing within the pages; stories in which their gender identity or sexual 0rientation has little or no bearing on the plot, where they can simply exist, just like they do in real life.
As a final thought, though I've already mentioned this above, this book is absolutely wonderful. In fact, it is one that I can see myself going back to and reading or listening to again. So, it should come as no surprise that I am recommending this book as one to read.
While Izzy's 5-year-old brother accepts the news without a problem, 12-year-old Izzy and 16-year-old Megan struggle with the news initially. But, as they struggle with the news at home, navigating concerns like what to call dad now that dad isn't...dad anymore, and what the news means for her parent's marriage, the two girls also have to struggle with what will happen when the news gets out at school. Izzy also faces many difficulties with the bullies at school, especially once the news gets out at school.
This book is a wonderful addition to the growing group of LGBTQ+ literature. Even when there is still a lot of bigotry and pushback against anything trans, books like these are being published - stories in which LGBTQ+ individuals of all ages exist. In this book, as in real life, there is pushback from some in the community, but I really enjoyed reading this story. It is wonderful to see LGBTQ+ individuals being represented, being present, and just being. As Megan puts it at one point:
Some people are trans. Get over it.
Some people are gay. Get over it.
Some people are bi. Get over it.
As more and more of these books are published, normalizing the existence of all people, more kids will see themselves represented in books, and that is a wonderful goal.
For this book, I listened to the audiobook version, which is narrated by Jodie Mitchell. She did a fabulous job with the narration, drawing me in almost immediately, and really seemed to capture the thoughts and feelings Izzy was struggling with. So, whether you read or listen to this book, I think you will enjoy it.
I do think it needs to be stated that there is quite a bit of misgendering by Izzy and Megan early in the book, after their Dad has come out to them, as they struggle with the news. While there are those who might say this misgendering is terrible, I do think its inclusion is authentic. Not every child whose parent comes out as trans is going to be able to jump immediately to trans-affirming language and behavior. Most of the misgendering occurs when Izzy and Megan are talking to each other about their dad and what name they should now use since "dad" doesn't seem appropriate anymore. So, while there is misgendering, it feels authentic and appropriate given the situation.
This book joins a group of others that I have read recently featuring LGBTQ+ individuals: Rick by Alex Gino, The Pants Project by Cat Clarke, Ana on the Edge by A. J. Sass, and The Greatest Superpower by Alex Sanchez for middle grades and The Witch King and The Fae Keeper by H. E. Edgmon for older teenagers and adults. All of these have been absolutely fabulous at telling the stories of non-cis individuals and providing characters for LGBTQ+ children and teenagers to identify with in the books they read and I have loved reading each one of them. I also look forward to reading more books with LGBTQ+ characters just existing within the pages; stories in which their gender identity or sexual 0rientation has little or no bearing on the plot, where they can simply exist, just like they do in real life.
As a final thought, though I've already mentioned this above, this book is absolutely wonderful. In fact, it is one that I can see myself going back to and reading or listening to again. So, it should come as no surprise that I am recommending this book as one to read.
karenxschoen's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
shayneyj's review
4.0
4.5 Stars
“This year’s going to be a good one for both of us, isn’t it? I feel it, I feel it in my bones.”
I was so excited to read this book, as you rarely see a book with LGBT topics within, especially within family dynamics and more so books that are aimed at a younger audience. This book was not only so enlightening and emotional to read in parts, but it was so well executed. I found myself reading this in one sitting, reading until 1am because I couldn’t stop reading it.
The entirety of this book is told to us through Izzys (Isabel) perspective, who we learn is in Year 8, so is around 13/14 years old? Now Izzy also has two siblings, Megan who is old and Jamie who is younger. This is good, as even though the story is told through Izzys point of view, you do get glimpses of how different members of the family are coming to terms and are being affected by the news of Dees transitioning, including the mum.
Every single character in this book goes through a lot and you can see their development within the pages. It’s a journey they’re all taking together, plus you see they having to see and grow themselves. You see it, obviously, the most with Izzy, from how she started off with how her character ends up.
This is a book, and many more like it, that needs to become the norm so that everyone has a better understanding and acceptance of everyone and from a young age.
*Thank you to Amazon Vine for providing me with a free copy of this book for an honest and unbiased review*
“This year’s going to be a good one for both of us, isn’t it? I feel it, I feel it in my bones.”
I was so excited to read this book, as you rarely see a book with LGBT topics within, especially within family dynamics and more so books that are aimed at a younger audience. This book was not only so enlightening and emotional to read in parts, but it was so well executed. I found myself reading this in one sitting, reading until 1am because I couldn’t stop reading it.
The entirety of this book is told to us through Izzys (Isabel) perspective, who we learn is in Year 8, so is around 13/14 years old? Now Izzy also has two siblings, Megan who is old and Jamie who is younger. This is good, as even though the story is told through Izzys point of view, you do get glimpses of how different members of the family are coming to terms and are being affected by the news of Dees transitioning, including the mum.
Every single character in this book goes through a lot and you can see their development within the pages. It’s a journey they’re all taking together, plus you see they having to see and grow themselves. You see it, obviously, the most with Izzy, from how she started off with how her character ends up.
This is a book, and many more like it, that needs to become the norm so that everyone has a better understanding and acceptance of everyone and from a young age.
*Thank you to Amazon Vine for providing me with a free copy of this book for an honest and unbiased review*
rubylu_reads's review against another edition
4.0
This was a cute middle grade to start the month with - really liked the audiobook narration :)
daniellecalifornia's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
The author really delves into the family dynamic and this is a great read for younger kids - No even older kids - to understand what someone else is going through when they finally transition. And to understand it’s okay to be confused and ask questions. I’d say it’s more of a 3.5 star read from me just because I’m not the target audience. But still an important read!
mixed_pollution's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
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? It's complicated
5.0
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
abbyreads12's review
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
littlelibrarian_'s review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5