Reviews with content warning for Bullying - The Ship We Built

Rowan's not the "right kind" of girl, and not the "right kind" of boy. This middle grade epistolary novel takes us to Rowan's journey from being Ellie. It was a journey of self discovery and self acceptance. He was shunned away by his friends because he was "different". He found a way to share his secrets by writing letters and attaching them to balloons, hoping that someone would read them. Until he found a friend in the name of Sofie who understood and accepted him for who he was. This story was gentle yet it touches sensitive topics such as bullying and sexual abuse. I also like the fact that this was set in 1997 and 1998 so expect 90s shows and music mentioned in the novel such as Boy Meets World and the Backstreet Boys. My favorite characters would definitely be Sofie and their teacher, Mr. B who were supportive of Rowan's journey. Mr. B surprised me the most, and I was deeply touched by his support.

Content Warnings

lilyrooke's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

are you looking for a 90s-vibe, MG epistolary novel from the perspective of a trans child who is being sexually abused by his father?
read this if you enjoyed: other painful, unflinching trauma narratives.
rep: questioning, trans MC; Black queer-coded best friend.
cw: child sexual abuse; incest; transphobia; bullying; homophobia; dissociation; trauma; suicide ideation; parental incarceration; institutional racism

Haunting. Painful. This is a book I wish I hadn't read, in all honesty. But perhaps someday I'll feel different, and I'll know it helped guide me along my own river. Please pay attention to the content warnings; this book does not play nice.

CAWPILE: 7.7 (4*)
favourite aspect: Rowan's friendship with Sofie offered a beautiful ray of light. I cheered when Mr B left Rowan the note with his phone number, but as the author says, it's rare that a sexually abused child would reach out to another adult, so it's our responsibility to keep looking out for them.
a wish: Content. warnings. save. lives. and. should. be. mandatory.

Content Warnings