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186 reviews for:
This Is Our Rainbow: 16 Stories of Her, Him, Them, and Us
Katherine Locke, Nicole Melleby
4.15 AVERAGE
186 reviews for:
This Is Our Rainbow: 16 Stories of Her, Him, Them, and Us
Katherine Locke, Nicole Melleby
4.15 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
This is so cute! I love seeing diverse perspectives in children’s literature. I feel like this could be a game-changer for kids who aren’t yet sure of themselves. I didn’t like all of the stories as much as others, but it’s also not made for me. That being said, there are some things that I think kids might need help to understand fully. One of the stories features a character who uses neopronouns, which is excellent for representation but might be hard to understand, especially if you are still learning to read. I’m not an expert though. I’d say it’s worth a conversation, and this book is great for starting all kinds of conversations. I definitely recommend this.
Here’s the breakdown of my ratings on all of the stories:
The Purr-Cle Of Life By Alex Gino- 5 stars
My cat just died, so this hit hard. Very cute, and a great explanation of grief.
Girl's Best Friend By Lisa Jenn Bigelow- 5 stars
Cute relationship with ace representation. I loved the witchy-ness. Bonus points for dog.
The Makeover By Shing Yin Khor- 4 stars
Super cute, not much more to say.
Paper Planes By Claribel A. Ortega- 4 stars
I liked the magical realism elements and the drag queen representation. The main character’s family was unique, and was cool to see that representation on page. So much representation and great lessons for kids.
Petra & Pearl By Lisa Bunker- 3 stars
Nothing wrong with it. I didn’t feel super connected to the characters. It was nice to see trans girls on page. The ending was nice.
I Know The Way By Justina Ireland- 2 stars
It’s not bad, but mixing romance and trauma didn’t work well for me. The ending was a cliffhanger/rushed.
Balancing Acts By A. J. Sass- 3 stars
Great neopronoun representation. I didn’t really get the main character’s journey with sports and stuff. It’s just not for me. I also really disliked the tense. “E walks over and sits on the bench” Not a fan. It was cute, though.
Come Out, Come Out Whenever You Are By Eric Bell- 3 stars
I liked the premise, but it was really rushed and preachy at times. That’s not the best word, but yeah. I found the main character’s maturity to be strange and inconsistent.
Devoyn's Pod By Mariama J. Lockington- 3 stars
I really liked the ending. This is an important story for kids. I just didn’t vibe with it.
Guess What's Coming To Dinner By Mark Oshiro- 4 stars
Pretty cute with a silly twist. I laughed. I think kids would like it, so that’s the goal!
The Golem And The Mapmaker By Molly Knox Ostertag- 5 stars
It was just so sweet! I want a full series!
The Wish & The Wind Dragon By Katherine Locke- 5 stars
So nice! I loved the world building in such a short story. Very wholesome.
Splinter & Ash By Marieke Nijkamp- 4 stars
Cute little romance with non-binary representation. It felt like a beginning and not a finalized thing, though.
Menudo Fan Club By Aida Salazar- 3 stars
This was just kinda too mundane and kinda sad for me. I’m not a huge fan of verse.
Stacy's Mom By Nicole Melleby- 3 stars
The ending was cute. It doesn’t really surpass being a queer version of the famous song.
Sylvie & Jenna By Ashley Herring Blake- 4 stars
This was just a sweet little romance. I wish the book went out on more of a bang though!
Here’s the breakdown of my ratings on all of the stories:
The Purr-Cle Of Life By Alex Gino- 5 stars
My cat just died, so this hit hard. Very cute, and a great explanation of grief.
Girl's Best Friend By Lisa Jenn Bigelow- 5 stars
Cute relationship with ace representation. I loved the witchy-ness. Bonus points for dog.
The Makeover By Shing Yin Khor- 4 stars
Super cute, not much more to say.
Paper Planes By Claribel A. Ortega- 4 stars
I liked the magical realism elements and the drag queen representation. The main character’s family was unique, and was cool to see that representation on page. So much representation and great lessons for kids.
Petra & Pearl By Lisa Bunker- 3 stars
Nothing wrong with it. I didn’t feel super connected to the characters. It was nice to see trans girls on page. The ending was nice.
I Know The Way By Justina Ireland- 2 stars
It’s not bad, but mixing romance and trauma didn’t work well for me. The ending was a cliffhanger/rushed.
Balancing Acts By A. J. Sass- 3 stars
Great neopronoun representation. I didn’t really get the main character’s journey with sports and stuff. It’s just not for me. I also really disliked the tense. “E walks over and sits on the bench” Not a fan. It was cute, though.
Come Out, Come Out Whenever You Are By Eric Bell- 3 stars
I liked the premise, but it was really rushed and preachy at times. That’s not the best word, but yeah. I found the main character’s maturity to be strange and inconsistent.
Devoyn's Pod By Mariama J. Lockington- 3 stars
I really liked the ending. This is an important story for kids. I just didn’t vibe with it.
Guess What's Coming To Dinner By Mark Oshiro- 4 stars
Pretty cute with a silly twist. I laughed. I think kids would like it, so that’s the goal!
The Golem And The Mapmaker By Molly Knox Ostertag- 5 stars
It was just so sweet! I want a full series!
The Wish & The Wind Dragon By Katherine Locke- 5 stars
So nice! I loved the world building in such a short story. Very wholesome.
Splinter & Ash By Marieke Nijkamp- 4 stars
Cute little romance with non-binary representation. It felt like a beginning and not a finalized thing, though.
Menudo Fan Club By Aida Salazar- 3 stars
This was just kinda too mundane and kinda sad for me. I’m not a huge fan of verse.
Stacy's Mom By Nicole Melleby- 3 stars
The ending was cute. It doesn’t really surpass being a queer version of the famous song.
Sylvie & Jenna By Ashley Herring Blake- 4 stars
This was just a sweet little romance. I wish the book went out on more of a bang though!
WONDERFUL. I loved all the stories, and there's a really good mix of LGBTQ+ and racial diversity. These are gentle stories for an older elementary/middle school kid, and they're very affirming.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Homophobia, Racism, Transphobia, Grief
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
great anthology of lgbt stories for middle readers!
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
story 1: "the purr-cle of life" by alex gino — this one made me CRY! a super sweet story about a non-binary kid finding a new sweet kitten. [cw: transphobia, death of a pet]. 5 stars!
story 2: "girl's best friend" by lisa jenn bigelow — this was a super genuine story about a witch who makes a new friend & does her best to get to know her more. [cw: mentions of domestic abuse]. 4 stars.
story 3: "the makeover" by shing yin khor — the first comic story in this collection, a super heartwarming story about a non-binary kid meeting other queer kids & going to a thrift store to find their true style. this was so lovely to read. 5 stars!
story 4: "paper planes" by claribel a. ortega — a sweet magical realism story about a queer kid sending out letters via paper plane, some as her way to communicate for her immigrant parents & some as a way to make friends. a trans woman moves in across the street & the kid finally is able to get some guidance on all of it. [cw: super brief mention of abusive relationship]. 4 stars
story 5: "petra & pearl" by lisa bunker — a story about two trans girls meeting online & figuring out their identities together. this one felt a little long, but it's an important story about how online friendships can be just as (if not more) important than real life ones. [cw: homophobia, transphobia (incl. getting kicked out of their home)]. 3.5 stars
story 6: "i know the way" by justina ireland — a story told in two times, each starring two girls. the first is about two young slaves ready to make their escape, & the second is about two students who are visiting the mill the slaves once lived. [cw: killed slaves]. 3 stars
story 7: "balancing acts" by aj sass — a lovely story about a non-binary kid who uses neopronouns finding eir way back into something ey love - sports. ey departed gymnastics after coming out, but now ey have found something that doesn't constrict em by gender. 4.75 stars!!
story 8: "come out, come out whenever you are" by eric bell — a time loop story of a middle schooler accidentally outing himself to the bully & turning down the non-binary kid's request to join the GSA. honestly wasn't a fan of this story, the main character was kind of a dick (though the story does represent how often middle schoolers are very focused only on themselves). [cw: homophobia, transphobia]. 2 stars
story 9: "devoyn's pod" by mariama j. lockington — this was a super sweet story about a trio of friends that regenerates as time goes by (as our main character, dev, realizes she's queer, & her two besties (ella & marcel) start dating). the story is separated with marine biology facts that fit the scenarios, & the generational love between dev & her nana & the connections made (& the coming out on both of their behalfs) was SO lovely. 5 stars!!
story 10: "guess what's coming to dinner" by mark oshiro — an intriguing story about a zombie family inviting a human family over for dinner for the first time! set in a world where all kinds of beings exist (like vampires & werewolves), this one follows Sofia as she invites her new friend & crush to join her family for dinner. super sweet! 4.25 stars
story 11: "the golem & the mapmaker" by molly knox ostertag — the second comic in this collection. honestly this story just made me think of Shrek but with a golem & princess (who are lesbians). i would read a WHOLE book about this couple going on adventures together. 5 stars!
story 12: "the wish & the wind dragon" by katherine locke — a story about a non-binary pirate kiddo who wishes for a wind dragon so they can visit their sister for the summer solstice. a lot of this story was geared around world building, & i wish there was more substance in the short. i'd definitely read more in this world. 3.5 stars
story 13: "splinter & ash" by marieke nijkamp — a story about splinter (a non-binary/questioning kid who wants to be a knight like their brother) & ash (who is actually the princess), who each find a friend in each other & figure out where they belong. brief & cute. [cw: brief mention of domestic abuse & transphobia, allusion of ableism] 3.5 stars
story 14: "menudo fan club" by aida salazar — a story in verse about a girl who has a crush on her childhood bestie, except that friend is now obsessed with boy bands & has changed a lot. i was really looking forward to this one but was a little let down by the story (though the verse is beautifully written). 3 stars
story 15: "stacy's mom" by nicole melleby — a play on the song, but with a very modern twist. the kids at this small catholic school are very gossipy via phone & now that it's been found out that abigail has a crush on stacy's mom. it was kind of meh. [cw: brief mention of transphobia, bullying]. 3 stars
story 16: "sylvie & jenna" by ashley herring blake — a story about sylvie who has been traumatized by bullying & the return of her childhood bully. except the bully is now super cute & also queer. this was an okay story about the redemption of a bully & a budding love story. kids do indeed say stupid things when they are 8. [cw: bullying, mention of a parent's death]. 3.5 stars
story 2: "girl's best friend" by lisa jenn bigelow — this was a super genuine story about a witch who makes a new friend & does her best to get to know her more. [cw: mentions of domestic abuse]. 4 stars.
story 3: "the makeover" by shing yin khor — the first comic story in this collection, a super heartwarming story about a non-binary kid meeting other queer kids & going to a thrift store to find their true style. this was so lovely to read. 5 stars!
story 4: "paper planes" by claribel a. ortega — a sweet magical realism story about a queer kid sending out letters via paper plane, some as her way to communicate for her immigrant parents & some as a way to make friends. a trans woman moves in across the street & the kid finally is able to get some guidance on all of it. [cw: super brief mention of abusive relationship]. 4 stars
story 5: "petra & pearl" by lisa bunker — a story about two trans girls meeting online & figuring out their identities together. this one felt a little long, but it's an important story about how online friendships can be just as (if not more) important than real life ones. [cw: homophobia, transphobia (incl. getting kicked out of their home)]. 3.5 stars
story 6: "i know the way" by justina ireland — a story told in two times, each starring two girls. the first is about two young slaves ready to make their escape, & the second is about two students who are visiting the mill the slaves once lived. [cw: killed slaves]. 3 stars
story 7: "balancing acts" by aj sass — a lovely story about a non-binary kid who uses neopronouns finding eir way back into something ey love - sports. ey departed gymnastics after coming out, but now ey have found something that doesn't constrict em by gender. 4.75 stars!!
story 8: "come out, come out whenever you are" by eric bell — a time loop story of a middle schooler accidentally outing himself to the bully & turning down the non-binary kid's request to join the GSA. honestly wasn't a fan of this story, the main character was kind of a dick (though the story does represent how often middle schoolers are very focused only on themselves). [cw: homophobia, transphobia]. 2 stars
story 9: "devoyn's pod" by mariama j. lockington — this was a super sweet story about a trio of friends that regenerates as time goes by (as our main character, dev, realizes she's queer, & her two besties (ella & marcel) start dating). the story is separated with marine biology facts that fit the scenarios, & the generational love between dev & her nana & the connections made (& the coming out on both of their behalfs) was SO lovely. 5 stars!!
story 10: "guess what's coming to dinner" by mark oshiro — an intriguing story about a zombie family inviting a human family over for dinner for the first time! set in a world where all kinds of beings exist (like vampires & werewolves), this one follows Sofia as she invites her new friend & crush to join her family for dinner. super sweet! 4.25 stars
story 11: "the golem & the mapmaker" by molly knox ostertag — the second comic in this collection. honestly this story just made me think of Shrek but with a golem & princess (who are lesbians). i would read a WHOLE book about this couple going on adventures together. 5 stars!
story 12: "the wish & the wind dragon" by katherine locke — a story about a non-binary pirate kiddo who wishes for a wind dragon so they can visit their sister for the summer solstice. a lot of this story was geared around world building, & i wish there was more substance in the short. i'd definitely read more in this world. 3.5 stars
story 13: "splinter & ash" by marieke nijkamp — a story about splinter (a non-binary/questioning kid who wants to be a knight like their brother) & ash (who is actually the princess), who each find a friend in each other & figure out where they belong. brief & cute. [cw: brief mention of domestic abuse & transphobia, allusion of ableism] 3.5 stars
story 14: "menudo fan club" by aida salazar — a story in verse about a girl who has a crush on her childhood bestie, except that friend is now obsessed with boy bands & has changed a lot. i was really looking forward to this one but was a little let down by the story (though the verse is beautifully written). 3 stars
story 15: "stacy's mom" by nicole melleby — a play on the song, but with a very modern twist. the kids at this small catholic school are very gossipy via phone & now that it's been found out that abigail has a crush on stacy's mom. it was kind of meh. [cw: brief mention of transphobia, bullying]. 3 stars
story 16: "sylvie & jenna" by ashley herring blake — a story about sylvie who has been traumatized by bullying & the return of her childhood bully. except the bully is now super cute & also queer. this was an okay story about the redemption of a bully & a budding love story. kids do indeed say stupid things when they are 8. [cw: bullying, mention of a parent's death]. 3.5 stars
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Going in, I hadn’t really realized that this was MG, not YA. As always, I enjoyed the Alex Gino story- it was my favorite. I found “Stacy’s Mom” slightly creepy (just think about the song). I also find it annoying when authors use all caps in sentences. But hey, those are just a couple out of the many short stories in this book.