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renreads394's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 out of 5
I have never read a graphic memoir before, so this book gave me a different look on how to tell stories. I think this book was very truthful and had a lot of important topics that everyone should be aware of including bullying and individuality. With that being said, though, I found some parts a little repetative but that was because the same things happened to her a lot. Overall, it was an enjoyable read that a lot of people should pick up.
I have never read a graphic memoir before, so this book gave me a different look on how to tell stories. I think this book was very truthful and had a lot of important topics that everyone should be aware of including bullying and individuality. With that being said, though, I found some parts a little repetative but that was because the same things happened to her a lot. Overall, it was an enjoyable read that a lot of people should pick up.
barbarianlibarian's review against another edition
4.0
love the points that she makes about gender. entertaining, fun.
nssutton's review against another edition
3.0
I've read Prince's work before but am always on the fence about it. Tomboy has a truth and freshness to it that I don't recall appreciating as much in her other books. Her struggles with bullying, building friendships, and accepting herself are wince inducing in their honesty. It has an interesting take not just on gender norms, but specifically on society's expectation of who a tomboy is and the reasoning behind that choice (such as, is it really a choice).
I identified with her ability to know herself early on. I also shared some of her tomboy characteristics growing up (particularly with regards to clothes) and received a few well-remembered comments related to that.
Highly recommend for a YA collection, although my copy came from my public library's adult biography section.
I identified with her ability to know herself early on. I also shared some of her tomboy characteristics growing up (particularly with regards to clothes) and received a few well-remembered comments related to that.
Highly recommend for a YA collection, although my copy came from my public library's adult biography section.
theshygardener's review against another edition
3.0
I expected more from this book! Though Prince did well in showing her struggle as a young person to fit into the binary, I feel as though there were many rushed parts that could’ve been delved into more.
saidtheraina's review against another edition
5.0
I was at a party this weekend where one of the attendees was talking about this book. He said his 10-year-old daughter had just read it twice in 24 hours. She told him "This book is about me, dad!"
I can't wait to read it.
----
Read it, loved it.
Give it to kids who are into [a: Raina Telgemeier|21618|Raina Telgemeier|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1200153437p2/21618.jpg], [b: Roller Girl|22504701|Roller Girl|Victoria Jamieson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1403179116s/22504701.jpg|41951492], [a: Jimmy Gownley|266508|Jimmy Gownley|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1386283306p2/266508.jpg] and [b: El Deafo|20701984|El Deafo|Cece Bell|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1423770455s/20701984.jpg|40021855]*, and are ready for more mature themes and content. You know how [a: Victoria Jamieson|2849126|Victoria Jamieson|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] shows her character working through identity and relationship issues? Here, Prince GOES THERE.
There are drawings of boobs in this book (in the context of Liz going to sex ed).
She talks explicitly about embracing herself as she is (a straight ciswoman, who doesn't do femme). She talks about navigating the drama of secondary education in that identity.
Part of me feels like this would be better if it was more fully produced, in color, like those other books on the same tack. Another part feels like the simple, black and white, line drawing aesthetic makes the reader feel closer to the writer - as though we're reading her personal sketchbook over her shoulder.
I promoted this to my Pizza & Paperbacks teen book discussion group, and at least one of the kids read and enjoyed it. I'm so glad it exists!
*Man, I'm almost getting tired of trotting out that list every other review. ;)
I can't wait to read it.
----
Read it, loved it.
Give it to kids who are into [a: Raina Telgemeier|21618|Raina Telgemeier|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1200153437p2/21618.jpg], [b: Roller Girl|22504701|Roller Girl|Victoria Jamieson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1403179116s/22504701.jpg|41951492], [a: Jimmy Gownley|266508|Jimmy Gownley|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1386283306p2/266508.jpg] and [b: El Deafo|20701984|El Deafo|Cece Bell|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1423770455s/20701984.jpg|40021855]*, and are ready for more mature themes and content. You know how [a: Victoria Jamieson|2849126|Victoria Jamieson|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] shows her character working through identity and relationship issues? Here, Prince GOES THERE.
There are drawings of boobs in this book (in the context of Liz going to sex ed).
She talks explicitly about embracing herself as she is (a straight ciswoman, who doesn't do femme). She talks about navigating the drama of secondary education in that identity.
Part of me feels like this would be better if it was more fully produced, in color, like those other books on the same tack. Another part feels like the simple, black and white, line drawing aesthetic makes the reader feel closer to the writer - as though we're reading her personal sketchbook over her shoulder.
I promoted this to my Pizza & Paperbacks teen book discussion group, and at least one of the kids read and enjoyed it. I'm so glad it exists!
*Man, I'm almost getting tired of trotting out that list every other review. ;)
beths0103's review against another edition
5.0
Never feeling like she ever fit in anywhere, Liz Prince denounced all things "girly" at a young age, but constantly had to defend her "being a girl" to society, as people often mistook her for a boy or a lesbian. Right off the bat, the task is thrust upon readers to examine their gender biases and expectations in this humorous and heartfelt graphic memoir. A great addition to any classroom library in grades 8 and up.
caitcoy's review against another edition
5.0
I really wish I'd had this book when I was younger and for that reason I cannot recommend it highly enough for girls or boys who don't feel like they fit in. Even at 27 I still feel a weird disconnect from expectations for my gender. I love sports and videogames and have never had much interest in traditionally "female" areas like fashion or make-up. That's not to say that I now judge girls who do like them, just that that was never me. In the past, the expectations of others made me have a violent dislike of anything that I perceived as "girly" in much the same way that Liz did. I remember my brother telling me that I couldn't like the color blue because blue was a boy's color and that I had to like pink. And of course because I am Ms.Contrary, I developed a violent hatred of pink that I still can't get over. :P It was both heartwarming and painful to see Liz go through the same experiences and to the point that she hated any sign of femininity, even from her own body. I thankfully never felt it to that point, I just never felt like I fit in. I love that this book is a denial of the traditional idea of gender roles and that it advocates for a more nuanced understanding without militant bashing of either side. There's absolutely no reason that a girl who likes videogames/sports/roughhousing or a boy who likes fashion or princesses is somehow some freak mix that must be avoided at all costs. Liz Prince treats this subject with humor and a gentle understanding and Tomboy was a joy to read from start to finish. If you are or were ever a tomboy or even just remember the struggle to fit in, this is definitely a must-read!
sasha_in_a_box's review against another edition
4.0
My last book of 2015!! That I totally finished in 2015, and not at 1 AM on 1/1/16. But it counts, I say.
Really good story about kids who don't want to conform to your gendered clothing and behaviors and want to have their own say in their own life, about anything. It' funny and sad and poignant and straight-up and honest as hell (esp. everybody's acne). Super relevant to everybody.
Really good story about kids who don't want to conform to your gendered clothing and behaviors and want to have their own say in their own life, about anything. It' funny and sad and poignant and straight-up and honest as hell (esp. everybody's acne). Super relevant to everybody.