peachani's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0


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loganslovelylibrary's review against another edition

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4.0

Loooved these short stories. So many good ones in here!! All so queer and beautiful, and so much representation of younger queer folks. What I needed when I was a kid. So glad this book exists!!

popthebutterfly's review against another edition

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5.0

Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: This Is Our Rainbow: 16 Stories of Her, Him, Them, and Us

Author: Eric Bell, Lisa Jenn Bigelow, Ashley Herring Blake, Lisa Bunker, Alex Gino, Justina Ireland, Shing Yin Khor, Katherine Locke, Mariama J. Lockington, Nicole Melleby, Marieke Nijkamp, Claribel A. Ortega, Mark Oshiro, Molly Knox Ostertag, Aisa Salazar, and AJ Sass

Book Series: Standalone

Diversity: Non binary MCs
Ace MC
Trans MC
Latinx lesbian MCs
Gay drag queen side character
Trans side characters
Black MC
Black Lesbian MCs
F/f romance
Mixed relationship
Neopronouns
Gay celiac MC
Black queer MC
Latinx side characters
MC with 2 moms
Side character with 2 dads
Bisexual side character
Lesbian MC

Rating: 5/5

Recommended For...: middle grade readers, contemporary, fantasy, sci-fi, poetry, anthology

Genre: Middle Grade anthology

Publication Date: October 19, 2021

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Pages: 288

Recommended Age: 10+ (Animal Death mentioned, Pronouns not respected, Grief, Domestic violence mentioned, Forced gendered notions, Homophobia, Slavery, Torture mentioned, Mentions of death by hanging, Bullying, Racism, Heartbreak, Religion mentioned, Parent death mentioned, Cancer mentioned)

Explanation of CWs: Animal death is the focus of one story, as is grief. Heartbreak is in a couple of stories. Slavery is shown and torture is mentioned. Bullying is shown in a few stories. Racism is shown in a couple of stories. Religion is mentioned and one church service is shown.

Synopsis: A boyband fandom becomes a conduit to coming out. A former bully becomes a first-kiss prospect. One nonbinary kid searches for an inclusive athletic community after quitting gymnastics. Another nonbinary kid, who happens to be a pirate, makes a wish that comes true--but not how they thought it would. A tween girl navigates a crush on her friend's mom. A young witch turns herself into a puppy to win over a new neighbor. A trans girl empowers her online bestie to come out.

From wind-breathing dragons to first crushes, This Is Our Rainbow features story after story of joyful, proud LGBTQIA+ representation. You will fall in love with this insightful, poignant anthology of queer fantasy, historical, and contemporary stories from authors including: Eric Bell, Lisa Jenn Bigelow, Ashley Herring Blake, Lisa Bunker, Alex Gino, Justina Ireland, Shing Yin Khor, Katherine Locke, Mariama J. Lockington, Nicole Melleby, Marieke Nijkamp, Claribel A. Ortega, Mark Oshiro, Molly Knox Ostertag, Aisa Salazar, and AJ Sass.

Review: Overall I really enjoyed this anthology! It included a lot of cute short stories and I loved the different stories and genres that prominently featured queer characters. The character development was amazing across the stories. The world's were all well developed and immersive. The book was also a lot of fun to read!

The only issue I had is that I wish some of the stories were grouped together in a cohesive manner and I wished there was more main characters that were gay or outright pansexual. I also think one or two main characters were ace but there was nothing concrete, which I think could have been better stated and written.

Verdict: it was great!

thenextgenlibrarian's review against another edition

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4.0

A MG anthology for every letter of the LGBTQIA+ acronym.

ninewt's review against another edition

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4.0

The book I would have loved to read when I was fourteen.

ilikecows321's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing

5.0

meabird's review against another edition

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3.0

3.75

leah73's review against another edition

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2.0

audiobook: these were really sweet but i was getting sick of middle grade writing so i didn’t finish it

hamckeon's review against another edition

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I find it hard to rate collections of stories, especially ones with many different authors. I do like that they’re all different genres and styles so people can find a story that does speak to them.

thenextgenlib's review against another edition

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4.0

A MG anthology for every letter of the LGBTQIA+ acronym.