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lizee59402's review
5.0
I really enjoyed this book and the way it was written. While this book centers around gender identity and mental illness throughout both characters in this story, I think the author did a phenomenal job that it didn’t feel like it was too much. I highly recommend this book for late middle school to high school students and teachers.
reader4evr's review
5.0
I really liked this book. I probably would have finished it earlier but I was so tired when I sat down to read.
This is a great book for middle schoolers to read to talk about bullying and friendship.
This is a great book for middle schoolers to read to talk about bullying and friendship.
salazarfrost's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
marieintheraw's review
4.0
While I initially wanted to read this because transgender representation in this, I also ended up really enjoying the bipolar representation. On a side note, I really appreciate how the resources she uses in the book also are on her website and listed above reviews.
adrianlwaller's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.5
kater07's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
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? No
4.0
alliebowen's review
5.0
I wish this book would have been longer! Not because the story didn't seem finished but because I could have read about Lily and Dunkin for days. Very complex story that hits on what it is like be transgender (Lily) and what it is like to have a mental illness (Dunkin). This book definitely opened my eyes and would recommend to any age group!
lesseraliterary's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
i feel like this book, while it does expose children to bipolar disorder and trans children, offers very narrow experiences for both of these things. more things should’ve been mentioned that children who experience these things might feel or go through. as someone who has a loved one that has bipolar disorder, the experience/symptoms that were shown is not one that happens to everyone. these kids are smart and know about their world so why not have them mention other things trans children feel or other symptoms that come with bipolar disorder that they probably know would happen bc they love to read/research? if this is an introduction to these things, then i feel like basic education should be included not just in the authors note but also in the context of the story itself.
allysonbogie's review
5.0
Dunkin is new in town when he catches a glimpse of Lily helping her dad with the groceries. The next time he sees Lily, she is wearing boy's clothes and going by the name Tim. He's puzzled, but he's also dealing with a lot of other things--including mental illness, and trying to fit in as an 8th grader at a new school.
The story goes back and forth between Dunkin and Lily's stories. At times they interact, but much of the book details their separate experiences. Both want to be friends but as the book reminds us, it can be very difficult to navigate friendships when you're in eighth grade.
Gephart beautifully portrays both Lily and her experience being transgender, and Dunkin and his experience with bipolary disorder.
The book represents different types of families and shows that parents have emotional lives and needs, too. Both families are very likeable overall, and are very caring. This is one of the things that makes the story feel very middle grade.
I think the hardest aspect of this book to identify is the age group. The print size, age of the characters, and the tone of the story are very 5th to 7th grade. But I think that librarians, parents, and booksellers will likely feel that the content is more of a 7th to 10th grade maturity level. Especially because it's about 8th graders, the book is too young for high school. It's really a great book for 7th and 8th graders, because it is set in middle school. However, more sophisticated middle school readers may be put off because it feels a bit young. I hope that it will find its way to some 4th, 5th, and 6th graders in addition to a middle school audience.
The story goes back and forth between Dunkin and Lily's stories. At times they interact, but much of the book details their separate experiences. Both want to be friends but as the book reminds us, it can be very difficult to navigate friendships when you're in eighth grade.
Gephart beautifully portrays both Lily and her experience being transgender, and Dunkin and his experience with bipolary disorder.
The book represents different types of families and shows that parents have emotional lives and needs, too. Both families are very likeable overall, and are very caring. This is one of the things that makes the story feel very middle grade.
I think the hardest aspect of this book to identify is the age group. The print size, age of the characters, and the tone of the story are very 5th to 7th grade. But I think that librarians, parents, and booksellers will likely feel that the content is more of a 7th to 10th grade maturity level. Especially because it's about 8th graders, the book is too young for high school. It's really a great book for 7th and 8th graders, because it is set in middle school. However, more sophisticated middle school readers may be put off because it feels a bit young. I hope that it will find its way to some 4th, 5th, and 6th graders in addition to a middle school audience.