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nonidude's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.25
Simple, sweet read - a well-written book featuring queer characters by one of my favorite authors.
Though there was more blatant homophobia written out than I was anticipating - especially given the younger demographic - I understand the time it was written and the reality of it. It did however still hurt to read it as something the characters would just have to deal with and get used to rather than expect change.
At first I wasn't a huge fan of the split chapters and Xio's POV. I felt confused why we were getting so much of her when she wasn't the main character, but by the end, I realized it's two stories unfolding, but actually Xio is the main character whose story is more unique and, in the end, I actually did like and find refreshing.
Though there was more blatant homophobia written out than I was anticipating - especially given the younger demographic - I understand the time it was written and the reality of it. It did however still hurt to read it as something the characters would just have to deal with and get used to rather than expect change.
At first I wasn't a huge fan of the split chapters and Xio's POV. I felt confused why we were getting so much of her when she wasn't the main character, but by the end, I realized it's two stories unfolding, but actually Xio is the main character whose story is more unique and, in the end, I actually did like and find refreshing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Abandonment and Religious bigotry
Minor: Outing and Suicide
jmitschke's review against another edition
3.0
Didn't love this one quite as much as Rainbow Boys, but Sanchez does a really good job of showing the fears, hesitations and joys of coming out for younger teens as always. (Definitely more appropriate for questioning middle-schoolers than RB).
This story is told from the perspectives of two friends: Xio, a Latina girl, and Frederick, a questioning boy. Most of the story revolves around Xio's crush on Frederick, navigating whether to kiss/hold-hands/date, etc. and Frederick's slow realization of his own sexuality.
This story is told from the perspectives of two friends: Xio, a Latina girl, and Frederick, a questioning boy. Most of the story revolves around Xio's crush on Frederick, navigating whether to kiss/hold-hands/date, etc. and Frederick's slow realization of his own sexuality.
te_ss_i's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Bullying, and Body shaming
kelleemoye's review against another edition
4.0
I was so glad to find this book. LBGT is not represented enough in middle school libraries (classroom or school) and I've been searching for books that could be put in middle schools. First, I found Boy meets Boy by David Levithan and then someone told me about this book. I was skeptical, because I knew about Alex Sanchez's Rainbow Boy books and some of the explicit things in there, but I researched and everywhere said ages 10-15 for this book. So, I got it, read it and LOVED IT!
This book is the story of Frederick who is the new, shy boy, but Xio has instantly decided that he was going to be her boyfriend. However, Frederick soon starts to realize that it isn't Xio that he is thinking about, it is Victor. But Frederick is a normal, American boy- he couldn't be gay... could he? Frederick's story, told from his and Xio's point of view, is a true heart felt one of a boy trying to figure out his identity.
This book is the story of Frederick who is the new, shy boy, but Xio has instantly decided that he was going to be her boyfriend. However, Frederick soon starts to realize that it isn't Xio that he is thinking about, it is Victor. But Frederick is a normal, American boy- he couldn't be gay... could he? Frederick's story, told from his and Xio's point of view, is a true heart felt one of a boy trying to figure out his identity.
terrabme's review against another edition
3.0
Not as good as I expected, actually not anything like I expected. I still liked the book though!
mesy_mark's review against another edition
3.0
A middle grade read we follow the two characters Xio and Fredrick (no nickname please) interact with one another. One holds a major crush on the other and one is figuring out if they are gay or not. I listened to this through the audiobook and found the faster listening to this of Xio character really captured her personality. She wants things to move fast. Have a boyfriend and have her own Mom to just get back into the dating scene. Yet with Fredrick, you could really feel the indecisiveness that he held. Why can't he have feelings for girls like the other boys that he plays soccer with? Is he like Iggy? And being scared so much from that pushes him to just bury the issue.
It was easy to listen to that captured the beginning aspects of dating in the middle-grade years. nothing overtly sexual. Nothing with crass language, although homophobic slurs are used. It is a nice way into looking at how does one come to know that they may be a member of the LGBT community. Written simplicity and to the point, it is a good book for people to understand a minority.
It was easy to listen to that captured the beginning aspects of dating in the middle-grade years. nothing overtly sexual. Nothing with crass language, although homophobic slurs are used. It is a nice way into looking at how does one come to know that they may be a member of the LGBT community. Written simplicity and to the point, it is a good book for people to understand a minority.
yoruux's review against another edition
4.0
this book I read in seventh grade and it was just crazy hehe
ankiaisreading's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Violence, Body shaming, Toxic friendship, Vomit, Alcohol, Bullying, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infidelity, and Outing
iro_san's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Tough read. Xio is a disgustingly annoying protagonist whose bombastic attitude and promiscuity are grotesquely unrealistic in just about anybody, let alone in a girl who's fresh out of being 13. Frederick on the other hand is alright but causes the book to be seriously repetitive in how he can not stop doing and thinking the same things over and over again. Straight romance is centered annoyingly often for an LGBT book, which is more or less all Xio's fault. I do get that the idea is to show the contrast between the girl that's hitting on the gay guy and the gay guy's comparative lack of feelings but it's unfortunately quite exhausting in practice.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
erindurrett's review against another edition
3.0
3.5, appropriate for middle grade and younger teens. Well done, just some loose ends that weren't tied up.