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tangleroot_eli's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
An absolutely heartbreaking book with just enough hope at the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Deadnaming, Mental illness, and Transphobia
Moderate: Child abuse, Incest, Sexual assault, and Abandonment
Minor: Alcoholism and Racism
lavenderdolmeh's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Sexual assault
Conversion therapywayward_kat's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
kmowww's review
5.0
I love this book. It’s one of those books you can’t put down, and when you do finish it, you sit there wishing for more and wanting to know what happens with the characters and what they’re up to now. The first couple of pages completely pulled me into the story and I ended up reading it in one sitting.
I’m a sucker for a book told in letter or journal form, and so of course I’m a fan of the format of The Ship We Built. The author’s twist on the letter format was creative and (literally) uplifting. When I was in elementary school and starting out reading middle grade books, I was always drawn to books in this format—I think it helped me get to know the characters on such a deep, intimate level.
Rowan is such a real and wonderful character—I was so struck by his process throughout the book of learning to believe himself—believe what he knew to be his gender, his name, and the realities of the hard things he was experiencing. The character Sophie has great wisdom not only in how to show up for transgender children and/or children who are experiencing abuse—but in how to show up for people of all ages who are trans and/or have experienced abuse.
While I was reading The Ship We Built, I kept thinking that it reminded me of a middle-grade Perks of Being a Wallflower. It’s hard to describe, but this is how I can put it best: both books left me with a kind of feeling that helped me feel less alone in the things that make me feel lonely. I think this is a great book for people of all ages—but especially for kids that are experiencing abuse or have friends that are, and for kids that are trans or have friends that are.
Lexie Bean wrote with such talent and empathy—this is a book that is unique not just for its content (there are not enough published books for kids by transgender authors) but also for the skill, research (I was catapulted into 90’s nostalgia), and life experience put into writing it.
I’m so grateful to have read this book. Huge thanks to NetGalley and Lexie Bean for sending me a copy of the galley!
I’m a sucker for a book told in letter or journal form, and so of course I’m a fan of the format of The Ship We Built. The author’s twist on the letter format was creative and (literally) uplifting. When I was in elementary school and starting out reading middle grade books, I was always drawn to books in this format—I think it helped me get to know the characters on such a deep, intimate level.
Rowan is such a real and wonderful character—I was so struck by his process throughout the book of learning to believe himself—believe what he knew to be his gender, his name, and the realities of the hard things he was experiencing. The character Sophie has great wisdom not only in how to show up for transgender children and/or children who are experiencing abuse—but in how to show up for people of all ages who are trans and/or have experienced abuse.
While I was reading The Ship We Built, I kept thinking that it reminded me of a middle-grade Perks of Being a Wallflower. It’s hard to describe, but this is how I can put it best: both books left me with a kind of feeling that helped me feel less alone in the things that make me feel lonely. I think this is a great book for people of all ages—but especially for kids that are experiencing abuse or have friends that are, and for kids that are trans or have friends that are.
Lexie Bean wrote with such talent and empathy—this is a book that is unique not just for its content (there are not enough published books for kids by transgender authors) but also for the skill, research (I was catapulted into 90’s nostalgia), and life experience put into writing it.
I’m so grateful to have read this book. Huge thanks to NetGalley and Lexie Bean for sending me a copy of the galley!
hjenby's review
5.0
A quietly powerful book, one that addresses some pretty tough subjects with incredible heart and honesty, and one that I needed right at this moment of my life. Thank you, Lexie. (And thank you, Rowan.)
sarahaf712's review against another edition
sad
slow-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Incest, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Deadnaming, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Child abuse, and Transphobia
Moderate: Abandonment, Outing, Forced institutionalization, and Confinement
human_the_fourth's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
matthiasreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Homophobia
Minor: Child abuse, Incest, and Sexual assault
dullhilarity's review
4.0
4/5 stars
Quite a well-written, hard hitting, enjoyable read. I don't think I will think about it that much in the future, even though I was expecting to connect with it more. Sometimes the 90s references were a little excessive, but I'm sure some people will see it as nostalgic if you were growing up at that time. It's a very important read, and I would encourage you to place this quiet little intuitive book into young readers' hands, even though I think kids in its intended audience might overlook the simple, yet well-crafted writing.
Quite a well-written, hard hitting, enjoyable read. I don't think I will think about it that much in the future, even though I was expecting to connect with it more. Sometimes the 90s references were a little excessive, but I'm sure some people will see it as nostalgic if you were growing up at that time. It's a very important read, and I would encourage you to place this quiet little intuitive book into young readers' hands, even though I think kids in its intended audience might overlook the simple, yet well-crafted writing.