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jecinwv's review against another edition
4.0
This book is heavy. Upon seeing this come out I knew in me I had to read this. A book set in the upper peninsula of Michigan, about a child exploring their gender identity, and a child who is experiencing familial sexual abuse. The main character, Roan, is in elementary school and has a really good friend. The setting is the 90s and the author does a really good job of making the setting and hence calling up nostalgia for me. While this book tackles heavy issues some people might not feel suitable for YA lit, I beg to differ. I think stories that are harsh are a relief to those of us who experience harsh realities. We can feel less alone. I am constantly advocating for more diversity in YA/children's lit. I'm a part of a book club for this as well. Also, the cover is amazingly beautiful.
chandleratk's review against another edition
5.0
This book is beautiful and is one of the rare books that seems to speak truthfully to the thoughts of a young person.
jd_loewe's review against another edition
5.0
This book is important, powerful, and profound while being tender and intimate and real. I wish this was written so long ago, and am so glad it exists now. Read this for you, and give it to everyone you can. I'm going to miss our protagonist, now that I've read it.
shinesalot's review against another edition
5.0
My heart hurt so much reading this book. Ellie/Rowan is in 5th grade and struggling - their family doesn't accept that they feel more like a boy, their friends are absolutely unrelenting in their pre-teen torture of someone who used to be just like them and is now "different." In addition, Rowan reveals that his father is coming into his bedroom at night.
The entire story is told in letters Rowan writes and ties to a balloon - never knowing if anyone will ever read them.
Not necessarily for middle schoolers. The writing is so heartfelt, but older readers will pick up on all the things Rowan is not saying - younger readers might not.
Hopeful ending. Makes me want to shout out to all our trans/lgbtq+ kids that my library is a safe place...it hurts to know that so many kids have to live each day without being accepted.
The entire story is told in letters Rowan writes and ties to a balloon - never knowing if anyone will ever read them.
Not necessarily for middle schoolers. The writing is so heartfelt, but older readers will pick up on all the things Rowan is not saying - younger readers might not.
Hopeful ending. Makes me want to shout out to all our trans/lgbtq+ kids that my library is a safe place...it hurts to know that so many kids have to live each day without being accepted.
librariandest's review against another edition
2.0
This is an epistolary novel the author describes as "a gift to my 10-year-old self." It's based on the author's own experiences as a trans child. I started out listening to the audiobook, but it didn't hold my attention. I switched to the print book and still could not get into it. The form of this book is reminiscent of [b:The Perks of Being a Wallflower|22628|The Perks of Being a Wallflower|Stephen Chbosky|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1650033115l/22628._SX50_.jpg|2236198] (letters to an unknown recipient, feels like a diary). It was maybe too realistic -- like reading actual found letters instead of a coherent novel. The tone was overwhelmingly sad for me.
As with the books [b:George|40948486|George|Alex Gino|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1532559186l/40948486._SX50_.jpg|44165520], [b:Everything Sad Is Untrue|45916267|Everything Sad Is Untrue (a true story)|Daniel Nayeri|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1579708868l/45916267._SY75_.jpg|70768669], and [b:Out of My Mind|6609765|Out of My Mind|Sharon M. Draper|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347602096l/6609765._SX50_.jpg|6803732], I recognize the value of the story but I didn't enjoy it or find it well-written. They all felt like something I was forced to read for school, but in reality I was the one forcing myself to read them because they are about important topics that are underrepresented in children's literature. They all got good reviews from professional journals. But what can I say? Despite the very compelling subject matter I found the book itself a slog.
As with the books [b:George|40948486|George|Alex Gino|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1532559186l/40948486._SX50_.jpg|44165520], [b:Everything Sad Is Untrue|45916267|Everything Sad Is Untrue (a true story)|Daniel Nayeri|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1579708868l/45916267._SY75_.jpg|70768669], and [b:Out of My Mind|6609765|Out of My Mind|Sharon M. Draper|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347602096l/6609765._SX50_.jpg|6803732], I recognize the value of the story but I didn't enjoy it or find it well-written. They all felt like something I was forced to read for school, but in reality I was the one forcing myself to read them because they are about important topics that are underrepresented in children's literature. They all got good reviews from professional journals. But what can I say? Despite the very compelling subject matter I found the book itself a slog.
hillsax's review against another edition
4.0
A much needed addition to children's lit that explores gender, sexual abuse within the family, and feeling alone. The ending is better than I could have imagined and provides some hope for a really dark situation. My one hang up is that the many references to late 90's pop culture (specifically Boy Meets World) may throw some readers off and felt a bit excessive.
itsmekelly00's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
3.5
farzeenather's review against another edition
4.0
8.5/10
This was really hard to read... and I'm not sure I'd give it to a 10 year old, for a multitude of reasons ranging from pacing to subject matter.
However, as an adult, it broke my heart. I wish I could give Rowan a big, big hug. I wish I could give every kid in a home like that a big hug. He asks so many sad, important questions that many other kids must ask as well. This book is a deeply impactful dive into the minds of lonely, mistreated children, and what we as grownups need to do to bring joy and hope into their lives.
This was really hard to read... and I'm not sure I'd give it to a 10 year old, for a multitude of reasons ranging from pacing to subject matter.
However, as an adult, it broke my heart. I wish I could give Rowan a big, big hug. I wish I could give every kid in a home like that a big hug. He asks so many sad, important questions that many other kids must ask as well. This book is a deeply impactful dive into the minds of lonely, mistreated children, and what we as grownups need to do to bring joy and hope into their lives.
lizwuestefeld's review against another edition
5.0
Powerful and beautiful. Best book I’ve read all year. Would suggest to readers who love “Speak” and “The Miseducation of Cameron Post.”