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4.5 AVERAGE
4.5 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
funny
hopeful
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
ohhhhh this was EXCELLENT and I'm sad that I finished because there's no more book left (even though we do end at a satisfyingly hopeful place for our main characters). Emily nails the small town vibe (which makes sense as she's from South Dakota) and of our narrators, 17 year old Abigail is fucking delightful.
I really enjoyed viewpoint structure, which I didn't clock until the final third or so,when Erica goes to come out to her boss and the chapter changes from third person (as all Erica chapters have been thus far) to first person. After realizing this, I thought about how the Brooke section was entirely in second person which makes sense- she's deeply stealth, performing the titular Woodworking but wondering what she's lost when she considers her younger sister.
There's a sense of dread hanging over it all with this set during fall/winter 2016, and both local and presidential elections looming. Like I said, I do appreciate that our characters end in a positive space, but the author's note correctly recognizes that anti-trans fervor has only increased in recent years, often attacking the most vulnerable community members with legislation against kids participating in sports or their parents making informed medical decisions. If you don't know any trans people (outwardly, anyway), Woodworking will place you in their shoes. Highly, highly recommend.
(and again: Abigail is the FUCKING best; she's mean and hilarious and vulnerable, very much a teenage girl)
I really enjoyed viewpoint structure, which I didn't clock until the final third or so,
There's a sense of dread hanging over it all with this set during fall/winter 2016, and both local and presidential elections looming. Like I said, I do appreciate that our characters end in a positive space, but the author's note correctly recognizes that anti-trans fervor has only increased in recent years, often attacking the most vulnerable community members with legislation against kids participating in sports or their parents making informed medical decisions. If you don't know any trans people (outwardly, anyway), Woodworking will place you in their shoes. Highly, highly recommend.
(and again: Abigail is the FUCKING best; she's mean and hilarious and vulnerable, very much a teenage girl)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Misogyny, Transphobia, Pregnancy, Outing
Minor: Deadnaming, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Alcohol
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
slow-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:
No
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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:
Yes
“There are so many people in this room for whom the world doesn’t work beautifully…And we all want the world to work for more people.”
Recently, there’s been a lot of talk about “books shouldn’t be political”, but this is the perfect example of how they simply are - even when that’s not their main goal or focus. Reading teaches me about communities or experiences or situations I wouldn’t normally find myself in. They teach me compassion and empathy and sympathy. Sometimes those things hit you right between the eyes, and sometimes they’re hidden within the pages of a good book.
Living in a small town that sounds similar politically to Mitchell, South Dakota, simply emphasizes the importance of books like this one. The trans community is not big where I live, yet this book brought their struggles, worries, and fears to life in a relatable way for me. It demonstrates the importance of policies and politics that work for everyone - not just those that look, think, and/or act like me. I applaud how simple St. James made the whole topic - she didn’t preach or demand - she just wrote a very human story that hit me right in the heart.
Erica, Abigail, Constance, Megan, and Caleb are a special group of characters. I loved their evolutions, their spirits, and their fight. Abigail, especially, was wise beyond her years. This is a book where I will probably find myself wondering for years to come, “Where are they now?”