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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-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:
Yes
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think this book is an interesting look into the struggles of both being a trans girl, and the struggles of being a teenage girl. Though there are moments that feel like they flatten the characters (the boys especially start to feel one-dimensional after a while), I think it’s a fun teen story about a girl learning and deciding what femininity and womanhood mean to her, finding the confidence to stick by that decision, and all the mess that comes with that.
emotional
funny
inspiring
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:
Complicated
slow-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wow, this was incredibly enjoyable! I swear it's not because I share a first name with one of the protagonists.
I don't know, I found this immensely well-done as someone who was both semi-popular for unconventional reasons in high school (I was on my school's prom court? uh, what?) and transitioned in my 20's and dealt with navigating that social scene as well as my partners giving me heartbreaks and being creepy. Loved the dual leads- this feels as much Mackenzie's story about coming into her own as Phoebe's, and I related a little to both of them.
Also? I'm a sucker for intertextuality, and definitely a musical theater geek. Jane Eyre and physics are fine, but goodness, Little Shop of Horrors as a vehicle for Mackenzie exploring Audrey's and her own engagement with patriarchal pressures with Leah was just *chef's kiss.* So what if it might be too on the nose for some? The key to it all is effectively conveying meaning, and the way this book engages with other texts does that with flying colors.
I feel like I'm talking a lot more about Mackenzie than Phoebe, so let's go focus on her. I really loved the choice to include her internal monologue at points and think that's where this really shines. The whole book is all about her and Mackenzie's search for agency, so when there's a space for her to be fully herself (or at least sort out the various emotions and pressures she's feeling)? Love that. Also the focus on queer friendship in the subplot really shines.
Particularly, I like that while Phoebe's transness informs the story and plot, it doesn't define it. Not that the second is necessarily bad, but this book honestly felt all the richer for the choice that was made, looking at what Phoebe specifically confronted as well as what all girls, generally, confront.
Lastly, the d-slur. Other reviews have brought this up, but really, I think teenagers are smart. They know that the character using it, at least at that point in the novel, is a bit shallow and casually cruel. They also know how they change over its course. While I wouldn't recommend it for younger ages, I think we should give readers due credit.
Ultimately, I'd recommend this for any teen girl, any girl or young woman who's recently broken up, and anyone looking for a graphic novel with (ultimately) strong female friendships and trans rep. And, why the heck not, fans of Clueless! Go get that sun, sand, and self-confidence!
I don't know, I found this immensely well-done as someone who was both semi-popular for unconventional reasons in high school (I was on my school's prom court? uh, what?) and transitioned in my 20's and dealt with navigating that social scene as well as my partners giving me heartbreaks and being creepy. Loved the dual leads- this feels as much Mackenzie's story about coming into her own as Phoebe's, and I related a little to both of them.
Also? I'm a sucker for intertextuality, and definitely a musical theater geek. Jane Eyre and physics are fine, but goodness, Little Shop of Horrors as a vehicle for Mackenzie exploring Audrey's and her own engagement with patriarchal pressures with Leah was just *chef's kiss.* So what if it might be too on the nose for some? The key to it all is effectively conveying meaning, and the way this book engages with other texts does that with flying colors.
I feel like I'm talking a lot more about Mackenzie than Phoebe, so let's go focus on her. I really loved the choice to include her internal monologue at points and think that's where this really shines. The whole book is all about her and Mackenzie's search for agency, so when there's a space for her to be fully herself (or at least sort out the various emotions and pressures she's feeling)? Love that. Also the focus on queer friendship in the subplot really shines.
Particularly, I like that while Phoebe's transness informs the story and plot, it doesn't define it. Not that the second is necessarily bad, but this book honestly felt all the richer for the choice that was made, looking at what Phoebe specifically confronted as well as what all girls, generally, confront.
Lastly, the d-slur. Other reviews have brought this up, but really, I think teenagers are smart. They know that the character using it, at least at that point in the novel, is a bit shallow and casually cruel. They also know how they change over its course. While I wouldn't recommend it for younger ages, I think we should give readers due credit.
Ultimately, I'd recommend this for any teen girl, any girl or young woman who's recently broken up, and anyone looking for a graphic novel with (ultimately) strong female friendships and trans rep. And, why the heck not, fans of Clueless! Go get that sun, sand, and self-confidence!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia, Sexual harassment
Minor: Violence, Lesbophobia
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
emotional
funny
inspiring
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:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was...not really what I was expecting, and man, these teens at this school were really awful to Phoebe. There was so much potential here to make commentary on being a teenage girl in current society, but it almost feels like it was taken too far. The way Mackenzie talks about being a girl to Phoebe at points just didn't jive with me.
The art, though, was really great! Probably the best part of the book overall, if I'm being honest. Not necessarily my favorite graphic novel of the year.
The art, though, was really great! Probably the best part of the book overall, if I'm being honest. Not necessarily my favorite graphic novel of the year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Transphobia
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Abandonment, Sexual harassment
Minor: Cancer, Death, Drug use