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vick_reads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
fast-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? No
5.0
Obie is 13, Korean American, and trans. He is a competitive swimmer and this story follows him through his exploration of identity. This is a BEAUTIFUL story... Obie has some amazing supportive folks in his life who help him through some very traumatic moments. That being said... check trigger warnings!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Transphobia, and Deadnaming
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
gabriellelow's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
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? It's complicated
4.5
This was such a beautiful story and I definitely cried reading it. Obie's journey of accepting all facets of his identity was executed so well and I think the biggest strength of this book was having the perspective be from a middle schooler. Transgender athletes, specifically swimming, has been in the news a lot lately and so much of it has been negative, so giving a voice to a younger generation of athletes who are also transgender was amazing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing, Toxic friendship, Transphobia, Bullying, Deadnaming, Homophobia, and Hate crime
Minor: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse
margaret_rose_reads123's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.5
Obie is Man Enough is a phenomenal and important story of a trans athlete, competing in the boys division for the first time. It is obviously emotional and I went from sobbing to laughing out loud, and everywhere in between. The story of friendships, relationships, and belonging really touched me. Also, it’s set in Boston, and I thought it was captured well for the setting!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Homophobia, Transphobia, Cursing, and Deadnaming
Minor: Outing
robinks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
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
5.0
This was such a beautiful story about growing up, becoming more confident in yourself, and finding your people, through all the messy complications of human relationships. It was also so heartwarming to see supportive family, friends, and community. I loved seeing Obie being on a team doing something he loves, turning to his older brother for advice, staying connected to his family culture, and going on dates - all things that teens experience. His essay for the contest was also so beautifully written, so I’m glad we got to read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Transphobia, Bullying, Lesbophobia, Outing, Violence, Deadnaming, and Sexism
Moderate: Dysphoria, Medical content, and Death of parent
Minor: Fatphobia, Grief, Blood, Body shaming, Vomit, and Injury/Injury detail
hmknerr's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Transphobia
siriface's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Bullying, and Hate crime
Moderate: Deadnaming
aspring's review against another edition
if it’s the second time i’m dnfing the book. it’s probably not a me thing.
i couldn’t get passed the ridiculous use of slurs every page, and unnecessary deadnaming. there are ways to make the points you want to make without ostracising your transgender audience. it is painful and a gut punch everytime you see someone treated that way, especially a child. and especially when there are ways to do it that aren’t so graphic (it’s not the word i’m looking for but it’s the only one i’ve got)
this book tries to teach good lessons but i think the intentions were a lot more well done than the book itself. i don’t know what child id recommend this book to, why would anyone want their reading experience to be filled with abuse? especially young transgender kids. this book is definitely more for the cisgender community to take as a lesson i think.
i’m definitely in the minority on this opinion so idk keep your options open
i couldn’t get passed the ridiculous use of slurs every page, and unnecessary deadnaming. there are ways to make the points you want to make without ostracising your transgender audience. it is painful and a gut punch everytime you see someone treated that way, especially a child. and especially when there are ways to do it that aren’t so graphic (it’s not the word i’m looking for but it’s the only one i’ve got)
this book tries to teach good lessons but i think the intentions were a lot more well done than the book itself. i don’t know what child id recommend this book to, why would anyone want their reading experience to be filled with abuse? especially young transgender kids. this book is definitely more for the cisgender community to take as a lesson i think.
i’m definitely in the minority on this opinion so idk keep your options open
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Transphobia, and Bullying
the_vegan_bookworm's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-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
3.0
This was a bit of a predictable read, but it made sense for the story being middle grade! The book can definitely be tough to read at parts as Obie experiences very intense bullying and violence, but I appreciated how supportive his friends and family are throughout. I also appreciated seeing the benefits of being allowed to start hormone blockers at a young age and how they helped to improve Obie's life in many ways.
The book was very focused on swimming, so if you are not interested in that subjecy, you may not enjoy this book as much.
The book was very focused on swimming, so if you are not interested in that subjecy, you may not enjoy this book as much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Bullying, Transphobia, Deadnaming, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, and Death
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Death of parent
katiekruseee's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Homophobia, and Bullying
Moderate: Death of parent and Outing
Minor: Lesbophobia
tinytrashqueen's review against another edition
challenging
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Deadnaming, Outing, Homophobia, Bullying, and Hate crime
Moderate: Death and Grief