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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.
ashleyinwonderland's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
jwinchell's review
4.0
This is a beautifully written novel from the perspectives of Lily, transgender girl, and Dunkin, a boy with bipolar disorder. It's the story of their friendship and their not-friendship. Even if the ending is tidy (too tidy! where did the bullies go?), there's so much that is authentic: parents struggling with their kids' identities, a variety of losses, middle school drama and strife. The text structure threw me for a while and there has to be a literary term for this: alternating perspectives, but the next perspective doubles back on the scene previously described and then tugs the story ahead just a big; repeat. Recommended.
magenta_menace's review
4.5
a remarkable portrayal of mental illness and gender dysphoria for middle grade readers. too often, bipolar disorder is conflated solely with mania and narcissism rather than more serious symptoms. gephart’s portrayal of dunkin’s condition hit very close to home for me, but the way she conveys that sort of placebo that young people feel after just a day off of medications is a familiar feeling for me that seemed incredibly realistic. i appreciate the author also not trying to claim authority on trans issues (since she is cis) and instead uses lily’s transition as a great medium for exploring topics like bullying, grief, and activism. docked down from 5 stars because none of the supporting characters aside from lily’s parents and dunkin’s mom and grandmother seemed fully realized, and occasionally the dialogue between teens seemed a little mature for eighth graders talking to one another. still think this is a great entry for young readers exploring topics about gender and mental health!
rachelbookdragon's review
4.0
4.5 stars. Wow, I flew through this one. The audiobook was really solid and I finished this on the journey to meet the author. Lily and Dunkin were both incredibly sympathetic characters, struggling to be themselves and happy in their own skin, and authentic to the world, both for very good reasons. Lily’s path forward, her small steps to identify as a girl were really great to follow. Her relationship with her father over the course of the book was really essential to the journey of being able to accept herself. I hope this book gets into the hands of people who want to understand what it is to be transgender, especially in this current climate of hateful rhetoric and laws against trans people. Dunkin’s journey with his mental health and how his mind protected him through the story was really strong. It very much reminded me of reading Challenger Deep and the author’s personal connection to the narrative was evident. I loved the casual Jewish rep in the story of Dunkin’s family and his badass Bubbe, the fitness star.
I really hope this book finds its way into the hands of the right people, and that empathy and understanding is conveyed to those who need it. Donna is absolutely lovely to meet and read from. Excited to pick up more books from her!
I really hope this book finds its way into the hands of the right people, and that empathy and understanding is conveyed to those who need it. Donna is absolutely lovely to meet and read from. Excited to pick up more books from her!