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nicolemhewitt's review
5.0
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
This book explores gender in a way that I've never seen in a middle grade book, and I loved every minute of this important story. Ana is a highly competitive figure skater, a sport that (like most of society) is strictly split into genders. She's always felt uncomfortable with the elements of figure skating that make people see her as a girl, but she doesn't quite understand why or what it means. Then one day she meets a transgender boy who, through a case of mistaken identity, thinks she's a boy too, and she realizes it doesn't feel wrong exactly. But it also doesn't feel exactly right? And because of this experience, Ana goes on the sometimes confusing journey of figuring out that she may not be either boy or girl at all. Ana's emotional journey is grounded in her figure skating training. The details of Ana's training are a big part of the book, and kids who are interested in figure skating will be fascinated by all that goes into learning a new skill and a new routine. It's quite obvious that the author is an accomplished figure skater himself and he understands the rigors (and financial burdens) of training at elite levels. Ana is torn: she loves skating and wants to do anything she can to succeed, but can she do that while still being true to herself and her new understanding of her identity? I love that the book shows Ana's struggles---Ana doesn't immediately understand who she is and what it all means, which is often (though not always) typical of kids who are non-binary or transgender. And, best of all, the ending gives her room to continue to figure herself out---there is no "one size fits all" when it comes to gender (or "two sizes"?). Ana doesn't have all the answers by the end of the book, and that's okay.
This book explores gender in a way that I've never seen in a middle grade book, and I loved every minute of this important story. Ana is a highly competitive figure skater, a sport that (like most of society) is strictly split into genders. She's always felt uncomfortable with the elements of figure skating that make people see her as a girl, but she doesn't quite understand why or what it means. Then one day she meets a transgender boy who, through a case of mistaken identity, thinks she's a boy too, and she realizes it doesn't feel wrong exactly. But it also doesn't feel exactly right? And because of this experience, Ana goes on the sometimes confusing journey of figuring out that she may not be either boy or girl at all. Ana's emotional journey is grounded in her figure skating training. The details of Ana's training are a big part of the book, and kids who are interested in figure skating will be fascinated by all that goes into learning a new skill and a new routine. It's quite obvious that the author is an accomplished figure skater himself and he understands the rigors (and financial burdens) of training at elite levels. Ana is torn: she loves skating and wants to do anything she can to succeed, but can she do that while still being true to herself and her new understanding of her identity? I love that the book shows Ana's struggles---Ana doesn't immediately understand who she is and what it all means, which is often (though not always) typical of kids who are non-binary or transgender. And, best of all, the ending gives her room to continue to figure herself out---there is no "one size fits all" when it comes to gender (or "two sizes"?). Ana doesn't have all the answers by the end of the book, and that's okay.
kismetanne's review against another edition
3.0
Good read but started to drag for me as gotvfrustrated with indecision of protagonist... probably unfairly
miloblue's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
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
4.5
This charming middle grade book is about Ana figuring out that they’re nonbinary and having to come out amidst their intense figure skating training and community. Without spoilers, i can say it’s pretty free of homophobia, transphobia and anti-queer bias and bigotry, which made it pretty damn enjoyable. Middle school angst notwithstanding. Will recommend to my b’nai mitzvot aged nibbling for sure!
dayla_fm's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
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? Yes
5.0
Such a powerful story!
One of my favourite messages that ANA ON THE EDGE could potentially give young readers that it is OKAY to be in the process of trying to figure out who you are, but also that it's okay to not have all of the answers at once.
We see the MC struggle with their identity and their relationships throughout the whole book, especially because their world has always seemingly had such clear cut gender norms (Ice skating is a huge part of her world). I can't even imagine trying to find who you are when everyone around you is imposing who they think you are on you.
I also enjoyed that we got to see some of the more pivotal relationships in the MCs life and that messy in-between with friendships when big changes happen--like sudden schedule changes, or new friendships blossom. While this book tackled pretty big topics, I liked that its core it was still truly an MGLit book that explored the importance of friendships and keeping the good ones alive (even when life gets a bit hectic.)
Finally, I adored the relationship between the MC and their mom. I loved that they were a team and even though it took a little bit of time, they had some good communication between the two of them. There were some heartwarming moments and I loved seeing them understand each other better as the story progressed.
I think this is another great LGBTQ+ book to have in my back pocket for when I need to recommend great Queer books to readers!
Happy reading!
One of my favourite messages that ANA ON THE EDGE could potentially give young readers that it is OKAY to be in the process of trying to figure out who you are, but also that it's okay to not have all of the answers at once.
We see the MC struggle with their identity and their relationships throughout the whole book, especially because their world has always seemingly had such clear cut gender norms (Ice skating is a huge part of her world). I can't even imagine trying to find who you are when everyone around you is imposing who they think you are on you.
I also enjoyed that we got to see some of the more pivotal relationships in the MCs life and that messy in-between with friendships when big changes happen--like sudden schedule changes, or new friendships blossom. While this book tackled pretty big topics, I liked that its core it was still truly an MGLit book that explored the importance of friendships and keeping the good ones alive (even when life gets a bit hectic.)
Finally, I adored the relationship between the MC and their mom. I loved that they were a team and even though it took a little bit of time, they had some good communication between the two of them. There were some heartwarming moments and I loved seeing them understand each other better as the story progressed.
I think this is another great LGBTQ+ book to have in my back pocket for when I need to recommend great Queer books to readers!
Happy reading!
smalltownbookmom's review
5.0
This was such a FANTASTIC middle grade story about a 12 year old non-binary figure skater trying to figure out what identity feels most comfortable and how to best communicate this to her friends and family. Highly recommended for fans of George by Alex Gino or Obie is man enough by Schuyler Bailar. There is some wonderful representation in this book: not only is Ana non-binary but also Asian American and Jewish with a single parent struggling to pay for Olympic level figure skating coaching. Great on audio narrated by Diane Chen.
⚠️CW: social dismorphia, misgendering, misnaming, allusions to transphobia and bullying
⚠️CW: social dismorphia, misgendering, misnaming, allusions to transphobia and bullying
annalisenak97's review
3.0
I had trouble getting into this one. Ana is trying to juggle so much, and it feels like this book is also juggling a lot. I didn't really understand what her dynamic was with Hayden, even by the end of the book. But Ana's creativity was really great to see.
andreannechat's review
4.0
Really good middle grade novel!
It's got drama, flair, fully fleshed characters.
It's got a beautiful introduction to what it might feel like to be nonbinary.
Ana felt like a lot of my students. Full of questions and often with no clue where to ask them, even surrounded by a strong support network.
Can't wait to introduce my class to this novel!
It's got drama, flair, fully fleshed characters.
It's got a beautiful introduction to what it might feel like to be nonbinary.
Ana felt like a lot of my students. Full of questions and often with no clue where to ask them, even surrounded by a strong support network.
Can't wait to introduce my class to this novel!
daenknight's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0