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jetregan's review
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Transphobia, Gun violence, and Violence
kenzieburns's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This. BOOK. Frankel had me hooked from the very beginning. For starters, I love how her voice comes through in her writing, and the humor she brings to each scene. There were several times I laughed out loud at Poppy's musings, Rosie's practical-to-the-point-of-impractical thinking, and Penn's threads of stories. I also fell in LOVE with all the characters in this book, even when they were being very unlovable! I think Frankel did an outstanding job developing Rosie and Penn's characters. When they were at odds with each other over how to best approach Claude and Poppy, I found myself at once agreeing with them both and disagreeing with them both and just really appreciating the complexities of their characters, the decisions they had to make, and how they approached life as individuals and as a unit. I also think Frankel excelled at writing the intricacies of family dynamics, particularly the unique dynamics that are present when a child is queer/trans. I wasn't shocked when Roo made the homophobic video, as it seemed like that was what was being set up in his character to do, what with being the only one who didn't want to move and all. But when it wasn't actually a homophobic video, but instead had a deeper, more profound meaning that was just obscured, my heart sang and I cried a little bit. And every time Ben was beside himself with worry over Claude, I nearly cried. And when Claude was the "one thing" Ben wanted to throw all his worry into, I lost it. AND HIS "DUDE YOU'RE NOT A BOY" SPEECH!!!! Let's just say I spent a very teary bus ride/walk home when I got to that part!
Outside of expertly written characters and relationships, this book was so full of so many important messages, I found myself wanting to pull out paragraphs and store them inside me for safekeeping. I was particularly struck by the role that stories played in this book, especially the theology behind traditional "fairy tales" and how they perpetuate baseless gender roles and societal standards. I loved the way that Penn used stories to redefine the workings of the world for the kids. I also loved that Rosie and Penn themselves represented a reversal of gender roles in the family unit. I think it really added to the complexity of Poppy's situation, because of course she would have trouble coming out and interacting with the world as trans when her mom and dad already both had so many "masculine" and "feminine" attributes, it would be hard for her to see any real difference. The only fault I found in this book was the relationship between Rosie and her boss, and how she and Claude/Poppy went to Thailand. I understand that, in the running away from the issue, everyone realized the things they couldn't live without and things they couldn't run from, and I appreciated the juxtaposition of Claude's school situation with his students, but it felt like a rushed part of the book and didn't seem really necessary.
All in all, this book was amazing, a must-read for anyone and everyone, and one of my new favorites. I don't give 5 stars often, but Frankel knocked it out of the park with this one, and I will definitely be re-reading many, many times.
Outside of expertly written characters and relationships, this book was so full of so many important messages, I found myself wanting to pull out paragraphs and store them inside me for safekeeping. I was particularly struck by the role that stories played in this book, especially the theology behind traditional "fairy tales" and how they perpetuate baseless gender roles and societal standards. I loved the way that Penn used stories to redefine the workings of the world for the kids. I also loved that Rosie and Penn themselves represented a reversal of gender roles in the family unit. I think it really added to the complexity of Poppy's situation, because
All in all, this book was amazing, a must-read for anyone and everyone, and one of my new favorites. I don't give 5 stars often, but Frankel knocked it out of the park with this one, and I will definitely be re-reading many, many times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Gun violence and Homophobia
mel_s_bookshelf's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Medical content, Outing, and Transphobia
Moderate: Gun violence, Death, Violence, and Pregnancy
rachelmerrie's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
So necessary. I recommend every parent to read more books like this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Gun violence, Outing, Transphobia, Blood, and Vomit
apriltrepagnier's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-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? No
5.0
Pros
Beautiful prose
Strong characters
Conversation provoking insight
Cons
None - the characters may seem idealized, but it works wonderfully for this novel
Beautiful prose
Strong characters
Conversation provoking insight
Cons
None - the characters may seem idealized, but it works wonderfully for this novel
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Hate crime, Sexual violence, Homophobia, Murder, and Transphobia
alyssabkaplan's review
emotional
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia
Minor: Gun violence
margaret_rose_reads123's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-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? Yes
4.0
This was an amazing book! I really enjoyed reading it. Though difficult at parts, the story needed to be told. I found the magic and the character’s imagination to be enticing enough to keep me reading through the night.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime
Moderate: Medical content and Transphobia
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
kmayatte's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Deadnaming, Violence, Chronic illness, and Transphobia
Moderate: Gun violence, Bullying, Medical content, and Cursing
siobhanward's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-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
3.5
Reese's Book Club Pick 54/65
I think I liked the idea of this book more than the book itself. I like that Frankel drew from her own life experience, although she was clear that the book was not based on reality, either hers or her daughter's. I struggled, however, with the writing style (long sentences and very few paragraph breaks aren't my favourite), as well as how idealized it felt. Maybe it wasn't based on Frankel's real life, but on her own interpretation of how she wish life was. I don't know.
I would have loved if the family's Jewish identity were explored more. The intersectionality between transgender identities and Judaism is fascinating, and I would have loved to see that. However, if Frankel (and by extension, Rosie), isn't particularly religious, I can see why this wasn't covered more.
I think I liked the idea of this book more than the book itself. I like that Frankel drew from her own life experience, although she was clear that the book was not based on reality, either hers or her daughter's. I struggled, however, with the writing style (long sentences and very few paragraph breaks aren't my favourite), as well as how idealized it felt. Maybe it wasn't based on Frankel's real life, but on her own interpretation of how she wish life was. I don't know.
I would have loved if the family's Jewish identity were explored more. The intersectionality between transgender identities and Judaism is fascinating, and I would have loved to see that. However, if Frankel (and by extension, Rosie), isn't particularly religious, I can see why this wasn't covered more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia
clemrain's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
medium-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
This books is gorgeous. From the characters to the writing to the meaning. This books makes you kinder.
I appreciate a trans story from the perspective of family and community. Not just the trans experience alone.
The characters are good and memorable. The love the parents, Rosie and Penn, have for each other and for their children is convincing. Building a story of the two as individuals made us privy to every decision they made as parents. It’s was a great introduction to the story.
I do think the cast of characters was large, but I can’t complain about it too much because the community perspective was written through them. Through the general ideologies, their small glances and their big words. We didn’t need to know more about them then that.
Who we did need to know more about were the boys. They’re all good brothers to thier Poppy, but that seemed to be the extent of their roles most of the time. We got some insight into Roo and Ben. But the twins were left behind. I could see the story without them in it. Ben had a love story but I guess it was just some growing pains. It was good but it didn’t lead to more. Roo’s story was taking form but just like he does in his family, his story also seemed to take a back row to Poppy’s. Roo’s apparent anti-LGBT situation had a boring resolve in that there was no problem. I thought maybe we’d get a separate coming out from Roo. I think it was boiling but maybe the point was that Rosie and Penn were too occupied with Poppy to get to the root of Roo’s behaviour. I can see home have his own coming of age in university.
Rosie and Penn are great. Through I find that Rosie keeps most of the attention. We don’t see much into Penn aside from the conversations he has with Rosie (which stay on the topic of their family) and how Rosie perceives him. We get a glimpse at his worries and his need to keep in a fantasy. He’s trying to be a good dad. But Rosie was overall just a much more complex character than he was.
For the length of the novel, I think much of the story could’ve cut out unnecessary and repetitive jargon to give space to the rest of the family. I understand that maybe the plot wasn’t meant to accommodate all these side characters personal stories, but why have these characters there if we can’t see more to them than what they feel about the Poppy problem in the different stages of their lives.
The writing is beautiful. Not too complicated and told like a fairytale. And just like a fairytale I found that many situations in it resolved themselves so easily. There were many micro aggressions, and deep reality of violence, but everything just worked so easily. As much as I’d criticize this in any other book—and this one is slimly passing through—I think the point is that the solution really is just simple. It’s just understanding and kindness. And these stories deserve happy endings. The difficulties did their part in educating the existence of a problem and their resolve did it’s part in teaching the solution.
My favourite part of the book was the parents trying and failing to find a solution for something they just can’t understand. And somehow finding a direction in a least expectant place. The answers and comfort being hidden in Thailand was amazing. I just love the idea of western countries not having all the answers and that they aren’t the only accepting and tolerating place. That the east has lessons too. The way this experience will shape Poppy as she grows is wonderful. And finally, finally Rosie had a conversation with someone who is like Poppy. Experienced what Poppy did. The answer sometimes isn’t in the parents knowledge or with experts. Sometimes you can only find directions from those who’ve taken the road.
Just a quick round of other things I enjoyed:
- the phrases that gave us glimpses into the future of the character (Ex. Poppy being a Buddhist)
- the in and out of pronouns and Poppy and Claude. People realistically tripping over it and being well intentioned
-that’s even with the best of love and care, sometimes parents just can’t have the write answers. It will hurt. You can’t stop that. What you just need to do is learn from it
The books made my heart beat through its tensions. And it made it soar in the happiness of the characters. Everyone should read this book.
I appreciate a trans story from the perspective of family and community. Not just the trans experience alone.
The characters are good and memorable. The love the parents, Rosie and Penn, have for each other and for their children is convincing. Building a story of the two as individuals made us privy to every decision they made as parents. It’s was a great introduction to the story.
I do think the cast of characters was large, but I can’t complain about it too much because the community perspective was written through them. Through the general ideologies, their small glances and their big words. We didn’t need to know more about them then that.
Who we did need to know more about were the boys. They’re all good brothers to thier Poppy, but that seemed to be the extent of their roles most of the time. We got some insight into Roo and Ben. But the twins were left behind. I could see the story without them in it. Ben had a love story but I guess it was just some growing pains. It was good but it didn’t lead to more. Roo’s story was taking form but just like he does in his family, his story also seemed to take a back row to Poppy’s.
Rosie and Penn are great. Through I find that Rosie keeps most of the attention. We don’t see much into Penn aside from the conversations he has with Rosie (which stay on the topic of their family) and how Rosie perceives him. We get a glimpse at his worries and his need to keep in a fantasy. He’s trying to be a good dad. But Rosie was overall just a much more complex character than he was.
For the length of the novel, I think much of the story could’ve cut out unnecessary and repetitive jargon to give space to the rest of the family. I understand that maybe the plot wasn’t meant to accommodate all these side characters personal stories, but why have these characters there if we can’t see more to them than what they feel about the Poppy problem in the different stages of their lives.
The writing is beautiful. Not too complicated and told like a fairytale. And just like a fairytale I found that many situations in it resolved themselves so easily. There were many micro aggressions, and deep reality of violence, but everything just worked so easily. As much as I’d criticize this in any other book—and this one is slimly passing through—I think the point is that the solution really is just simple. It’s just understanding and kindness. And these stories deserve happy endings. The difficulties did their part in educating the existence of a problem and their resolve did it’s part in teaching the solution.
My favourite part of the book was the parents trying and failing to find a solution for something they just can’t understand. And somehow finding a direction in a least expectant place. The answers and comfort being hidden in Thailand was amazing. I just love the idea of western countries not having all the answers and that they aren’t the only accepting and tolerating place. That the east has lessons too. The way this experience will shape Poppy as she grows is wonderful. And finally, finally Rosie had a conversation with someone who is like Poppy. Experienced what Poppy did. The answer sometimes isn’t in the parents knowledge or with experts. Sometimes you can only find directions from those who’ve taken the road.
Just a quick round of other things I enjoyed:
- the phrases that gave us glimpses into the future of the character (Ex. Poppy being a Buddhist)
- the in and out of pronouns and Poppy and Claude. People realistically tripping over it and being well intentioned
-that’s even with the best of love and care, sometimes parents just can’t have the write answers. It will hurt. You can’t stop that. What you just need to do is learn from it
The books made my heart beat through its tensions. And it made it soar in the happiness of the characters. Everyone should read this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Medical content, Hate crime, Homophobia, Outing, Transphobia, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Blood, Panic attacks/disorders, and Murder
Minor: Sexual content, Abandonment, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Misogyny, Grief, Physical abuse, and Death of parent