Take a photo of a barcode or cover
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
A perfect example of a book that is so necessary. LGBTQ+ kids need more representation in books. They deserve romance and happy endings.
I wish we had books like this when I was growing up.
Although it was a traumatic read, it was raw and unfortunately what too many trans & gay kids deal with.
This read sent me through a wide variety of emotions but I am glad that I read it.
I would definitely recommend this book and have in my classroom.
I wish we had books like this when I was growing up.
Although it was a traumatic read, it was raw and unfortunately what too many trans & gay kids deal with.
This read sent me through a wide variety of emotions but I am glad that I read it.
I would definitely recommend this book and have in my classroom.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Deadnaming, Homophobia, Transphobia
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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:
Yes
LOVE FLAWED QUEERS. I feel like in a lot of queer teen media, writers can fall into the trap of trying to make the characters perfect so that the audience has nothing to dislike them for, and so that they won't be flagged as "bad representation". Callender doesn't do that. The protagonist, Felix, is flawed. He's childish, careless, acts on impulse, and barely ever made a good decision. He was so human. It was such a breath of fresh air to read about an imperfect queer, trans, black protagonist- someone who is just a normal human being trying their best.
Felix's character development was so satisfying for this reason and the reader is cheering for him to grow and improve through the whole book.
The side characters were equally as complex and flawed, which I greatly appreciated.
In addition to Felix being a fabulously realistic character, his journey with his identity and learning that he deserves love was also great. It's just so nice to see a trans, queer, black character succeed and be happy and proud and love himself. Being trans isn't something that's widely celebrated in the world today so reading about a trans character celebrate himself was so comforting to me. I think stories like this are so important. Just seeing characters like Felix love themselves is so important.
This book was also just such a fast and easy read. The writing is descriptive enough to set the scene and fully imerse the reader, while also being casual enough that the pages just flew by.
(I think this book would make a great TV series also, like a kinda Heartstopper-esque show yk)
One think I disliked was that there were a few too many Harry Potter references for my liking😔 Leave JKR out of my queer media please and thanks, her books don't need to be included in a book about trans identity in my humble opinion. Especially because the protagonist then goes on to discuss the importance of the artists morals in art- "it does matter if the artist is an asshole."
But apart from that, solid book =)
Felix's character development was so satisfying for this reason and the reader is cheering for him to grow and improve through the whole book.
The side characters were equally as complex and flawed, which I greatly appreciated.
In addition to Felix being a fabulously realistic character, his journey with his identity and learning that he deserves love was also great. It's just so nice to see a trans, queer, black character succeed and be happy and proud and love himself. Being trans isn't something that's widely celebrated in the world today so reading about a trans character celebrate himself was so comforting to me. I think stories like this are so important. Just seeing characters like Felix love themselves is so important.
This book was also just such a fast and easy read. The writing is descriptive enough to set the scene and fully imerse the reader, while also being casual enough that the pages just flew by.
(I think this book would make a great TV series also, like a kinda Heartstopper-esque show yk)
One think I disliked was that there were a few too many Harry Potter references for my liking😔 Leave JKR out of my queer media please and thanks, her books don't need to be included in a book about trans identity in my humble opinion. Especially because the protagonist then goes on to discuss the importance of the artists morals in art- "it does matter if the artist is an asshole."
But apart from that, solid book =)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Deadnaming, Hate crime, Transphobia, Outing, Abandonment, Alcohol
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
tense
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
A bold and open story about identity, prejudice, understanding, and learning to focus on yourself. A really cool look at the lesser-know areas of transness (figuring yourself out as nonbinary and coming out for a second time) alongside some messy relationship drama and a hopeful look at art as self-expression. Definitely more towards the upper end of YA (evident from the first chapter, though not necessarily from the cover and blurb), but an important coming of age story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Hate crime, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Outing, Toxic friendship, Abandonment
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Drug use, Hate crime, Infidelity, Racism, Sexual content, Medical content, Grief, Alcohol, Dysphoria, Classism
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
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:
Yes
A profound exploration of self-discovery, self-awareness, and personal growth, this book delves into the complexities of gender identity, privilege in the context of race, sexuality, and gender expression. It addresses the experiences of individuals both within and outside the LGBTQ+ community, examining the impact of societal judgments, transphobia, and disrespect towards pronouns. This multifaceted and multicultural narrative offers valuable insights into the challenges of self-discovery, the weight of making life choices, and the struggles of family acceptance and acknowledgment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Deadnaming, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, Outing, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Classism
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Transphobia
emotional
hopeful
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
this fucking book ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜
CMQ called it a firecracker of a book and boy, they weren’t kidding!!
the same sentiment holds true for Black stories and trans stories—i’ll never understand what it’s like to identify and live as a trans person, but i’m so fucking lucky and grateful to live in a world where trans people share their stories and experiences!!
Felix is just so lovable. is he flawed? oh yeah. does he have trauma? baby, don’t we all. does he deserve to exist without question? FUCK YEAH HE DOES. he’s just doing his best!! sure, he makes some questionable choices, but he’s so self-aware and so able to own up to his mistakes and he loves so big. i just love him with all my heart. and Ezra!!! wow. what a bestie. he’s everything.
i didn’t anticipate the person who put up the gallery with Felix’s deadname and pictures of him pre-transition to be who it was!! it absolutely baffled me. i was happy (the wrong word but i can’t find a better one) to have some characters be dislikable. and have so much empowerment for different identities!! there were so many positive parts of this book, GOD. it was just so fucking good.
a must read!!!
CMQ called it a firecracker of a book and boy, they weren’t kidding!!
the same sentiment holds true for Black stories and trans stories—i’ll never understand what it’s like to identify and live as a trans person, but i’m so fucking lucky and grateful to live in a world where trans people share their stories and experiences!!
Felix is just so lovable. is he flawed? oh yeah. does he have trauma? baby, don’t we all. does he deserve to exist without question? FUCK YEAH HE DOES. he’s just doing his best!! sure, he makes some questionable choices, but he’s so self-aware and so able to own up to his mistakes and he loves so big. i just love him with all my heart. and Ezra!!! wow. what a bestie. he’s everything.
i didn’t anticipate the person who put up the gallery with Felix’s deadname and pictures of him pre-transition to be who it was!! it absolutely baffled me. i was happy (the wrong word but i can’t find a better one) to have some characters be dislikable. and have so much empowerment for different identities!! there were so many positive parts of this book, GOD. it was just so fucking good.
a must read!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Deadnaming, Transphobia
Moderate: Drug use, Homophobia, Abandonment
Minor: Drug use, Racism, Sexual content, Alcohol, Dysphoria
Too many HP references paired with a debate about separating the art from the artist...ooof yeah nooooooooooo. Peace out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Homophobia, Transphobia
Minor: Racism
What I liked:
• demi rep!
• character growth
• cute romance
• leah is the best side character!
What I didn't jive with:
• writing was a bit heavy-handed at times, felt forced in order to explain different identities/why they matter to the reader
• i wish Felix had formed connections with members of the LGBT meet-up group. The meeting involving a (heavy handed) discussion of identity and then Felix stumbling upon the term demiboy (how he never found it before I still don't know) hours later felt very easy and rushed.
• the love triangle aspect felt forced at times, and I wanted even more of Felix and Ezra!
Overall, I would recommend this! A great read for June since it takes place over the summer (and includes a Pride Parade at the end!)
• demi rep!
• character growth
• cute romance
• leah is the best side character!
What I didn't jive with:
• writing was a bit heavy-handed at times, felt forced in order to explain different identities/why they matter to the reader
• i wish Felix had formed connections with members of the LGBT meet-up group. The meeting involving a (heavy handed) discussion of identity and then Felix stumbling upon the term demiboy (how he never found it before I still don't know) hours later felt very easy and rushed.
• the love triangle aspect felt forced at times, and I wanted even more of Felix and Ezra!
Overall, I would recommend this! A great read for June since it takes place over the summer (and includes a Pride Parade at the end!)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Deadnaming, Drug use, Transphobia, Abandonment, Alcohol
emotional
hopeful
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Minor: Deadnaming, Transphobia, Alcohol
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
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:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Deadnaming, Hate crime, Homophobia, Transphobia, Outing, Alcohol
Moderate: Violence, Abandonment, Alcohol
Minor: Cursing, Sexual content