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bluewithstars's review
5.0
I really enjoyed this book and flew through it. It discusses different issues for the 2 main characters who are growing up but also dealing with their own identities. Becky is struggling with her feelings towards new girl Carli and Josh is desperate to know more about his father. Will they both be happy with the answers they find?
rebeccafarren's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
booksandbargains's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This was probably the easiest 5 star I have ever given a book! From start to finish the story of Becky and Josh, their mom's (who despite being an LGBTQ couple have always bought them up that there is nothing to be ashamed of ) Becky and Josh have always been close, and yet they both know that the other is keeping secrets. This book is a perfect coming of age story with queer themes and I just loved it from start to finish. It needs to be on every middle grade curriculum!
alicebennett's review against another edition
5.0
I thought this book was absolutely beautiful and very well-written.
It follows the lives and experiences of Becky and Josh, two donor-conceived children who are 'almost-twins' and their mothers, Ima and Mum. Both children are in year eight and are experiencing some typical pre-teenage issues such as, friendship trouble and not knowing who they are.
However, there is something more going on as Becky starts to realise that her feelings for her new best friend Carli, might be something more than friendship. While Josh is desperate to find his actual father. Both of them just want their family to be proud of them, but they struggle to understand themselves and start keeping secrets from each other, and their mothers.
The themes that run throughout the book are belonging, growing up, LGBTQIA+ issues, family troubles, acceptance and the importance of friendship among siblings and friends.
I would use the book with Year Six children due to the mature issues it covers because it is both educational and moving. Everyone will be able to relate to the theme of feeling like you don't understand who you are because Year Six is a time of change and new life experiences.
It follows the lives and experiences of Becky and Josh, two donor-conceived children who are 'almost-twins' and their mothers, Ima and Mum. Both children are in year eight and are experiencing some typical pre-teenage issues such as, friendship trouble and not knowing who they are.
However, there is something more going on as Becky starts to realise that her feelings for her new best friend Carli, might be something more than friendship. While Josh is desperate to find his actual father. Both of them just want their family to be proud of them, but they struggle to understand themselves and start keeping secrets from each other, and their mothers.
The themes that run throughout the book are belonging, growing up, LGBTQIA+ issues, family troubles, acceptance and the importance of friendship among siblings and friends.
I would use the book with Year Six children due to the mature issues it covers because it is both educational and moving. Everyone will be able to relate to the theme of feeling like you don't understand who you are because Year Six is a time of change and new life experiences.
kitthekat's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
It's a lighthearted book with beautiful representation of LGBTQ+ rep. Becky and Josh are relatable characters with friends and people around them that look like they could be real. A very cute read!
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia
mybookishpromise's review against another edition
4.0
Proud of me is about ‘almost’ twins Becky and Josh who are donor twins with two mums.
Josh is determined to find out more about his donor dad and Becky is navigating feelings for her best friend.
I think this is such a wonderful book for young reader, it really explores the transition of child to teenager and the change in relationships, between friends, parents and siblings.
The writing style is super easy to read and uses correct pronouns for characters throughout the book, I love this in writing as I think it really opens a discussion about the importance of not assuming a characters pronouns.
A really lovely read, I particularly loved Becky’s love interest story, without giving any spoilers, some parts of her story really made me feel for her, seeing how she navigated her feelings really interested me.
This book highlights life as part of the LGBTQ community and importantly doesn’t forget that others are not always accepting.
We also touch on internet safety and the importance of communication and trust. It really does cover so much for young readers.
If you want a lovely quick read with masses of plot and feeling you need to pick this one up!
Josh is determined to find out more about his donor dad and Becky is navigating feelings for her best friend.
I think this is such a wonderful book for young reader, it really explores the transition of child to teenager and the change in relationships, between friends, parents and siblings.
The writing style is super easy to read and uses correct pronouns for characters throughout the book, I love this in writing as I think it really opens a discussion about the importance of not assuming a characters pronouns.
A really lovely read, I particularly loved Becky’s love interest story, without giving any spoilers, some parts of her story really made me feel for her, seeing how she navigated her feelings really interested me.
This book highlights life as part of the LGBTQ community and importantly doesn’t forget that others are not always accepting.
We also touch on internet safety and the importance of communication and trust. It really does cover so much for young readers.
If you want a lovely quick read with masses of plot and feeling you need to pick this one up!
amysbookishlife's review against another edition
5.0
I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Sarah Hagger-Holt is an author that has been on my radar ever since I read her debut Nothing Ever Happens Here last year. I adored that book and I’ve been impatiently waiting for Sarah’s next book ever since. So, you can imagine my excitement when I found out about her second release Proud Of Me. I couldn’t wait to get stuck into this incredible sounding read, and I was certainly not disappointed.
Proud Of Me follows almost twins Becky and Josh, who have two mums but the same anonymous donor dad. Josh wants to find out more about his donor dad, and despite not legally being able to until he’s eighteen, he will do anything to find out more even if that means lying to those closest to him. Becky, meanwhile, makes friends with the new girl at school, Carli, and soon realises she can’t stop thinking about her. Could these feelings be a sign of feeling something more than friendship? Both Becky and Josh want to make their parents proud, but at the moment they are struggling to accept themselves for who they are.
Well, this was such a beautiful, poignant read that had me feeling all sorts of emotions. The book itself delves into many issues that are faced by the LGBTQ+ community, and some were ones that I’d never seen written in middle grade or young adult fiction before. One is that of a donor parent. I didn’t know much about the world of donor-conceived children before reading Proud Of Me, but after reading this my mind was opened to how hard it can be for the children. Becky and Josh have two mums and what I loved was that we were shown how tough it can be for both the children and parents and that stigma is still out there and not everyone is as accepting as they could be.
Plot-wise, we see the views of both Becky and Josh as they come to terms with who they are and this is very much character-driven as we delve into the issues they are both facing. Becky is coming to terms with her feelings for friend Carli, and wondering if these feelings are more than friendship, and what she should do about them. Josh on the other hand wants to start finding out who is donor dad is and how he can go about that despite being only thirteen. Both plots are interwoven as we follow the siblings on these journeys that despite being different, are the subject of wanting to discover who they are as well as make their parents proud. These issues are dealt with sensitively and will help younger readers who may be going through the same thing in their lives. Sarah has a way of bringing issues such as LGBTQ+ rights, coming out, family issues and oppression to the forefront in a way that’s both compassionate and engaging for the reader.
Becky and Josh despite being almost twins are very different from each other in several ways. Josh is more determined and outspoken and this is shown in the way that he wants to discover who his dad is. He, in a way, feels disjointed from his family, and being the only male in the house could have contributed to this lost feeling. His character, I feel was taken on the bigger journey and come to the end of the story he’s coming to accept and love himself and his family for who they are. Becky goes on a completely different journey to Josh and is struggling to figure out her sexuality and her feelings for her friend. Her journey is a journey of self-discovery and how she deals with that, and if she wants to tell those closest to her. Both Becky and Josh are characters that some young readers will see themselves in, and this, in turn, may help them realise that they aren’t alone in how they are feeling.
Proud Of Me was an incredible, heartfelt read that I couldn’t put down. This book perfectly ties together the themes of LGBTQ+, family, identity and finding your place in the world. Sarah Hagger-Holt has written another piece of stunning middle grade and I, for one, cannot wait to read what she writes next.
Sarah Hagger-Holt is an author that has been on my radar ever since I read her debut Nothing Ever Happens Here last year. I adored that book and I’ve been impatiently waiting for Sarah’s next book ever since. So, you can imagine my excitement when I found out about her second release Proud Of Me. I couldn’t wait to get stuck into this incredible sounding read, and I was certainly not disappointed.
Proud Of Me follows almost twins Becky and Josh, who have two mums but the same anonymous donor dad. Josh wants to find out more about his donor dad, and despite not legally being able to until he’s eighteen, he will do anything to find out more even if that means lying to those closest to him. Becky, meanwhile, makes friends with the new girl at school, Carli, and soon realises she can’t stop thinking about her. Could these feelings be a sign of feeling something more than friendship? Both Becky and Josh want to make their parents proud, but at the moment they are struggling to accept themselves for who they are.
Well, this was such a beautiful, poignant read that had me feeling all sorts of emotions. The book itself delves into many issues that are faced by the LGBTQ+ community, and some were ones that I’d never seen written in middle grade or young adult fiction before. One is that of a donor parent. I didn’t know much about the world of donor-conceived children before reading Proud Of Me, but after reading this my mind was opened to how hard it can be for the children. Becky and Josh have two mums and what I loved was that we were shown how tough it can be for both the children and parents and that stigma is still out there and not everyone is as accepting as they could be.
Plot-wise, we see the views of both Becky and Josh as they come to terms with who they are and this is very much character-driven as we delve into the issues they are both facing. Becky is coming to terms with her feelings for friend Carli, and wondering if these feelings are more than friendship, and what she should do about them. Josh on the other hand wants to start finding out who is donor dad is and how he can go about that despite being only thirteen. Both plots are interwoven as we follow the siblings on these journeys that despite being different, are the subject of wanting to discover who they are as well as make their parents proud. These issues are dealt with sensitively and will help younger readers who may be going through the same thing in their lives. Sarah has a way of bringing issues such as LGBTQ+ rights, coming out, family issues and oppression to the forefront in a way that’s both compassionate and engaging for the reader.
Becky and Josh despite being almost twins are very different from each other in several ways. Josh is more determined and outspoken and this is shown in the way that he wants to discover who his dad is. He, in a way, feels disjointed from his family, and being the only male in the house could have contributed to this lost feeling. His character, I feel was taken on the bigger journey and come to the end of the story he’s coming to accept and love himself and his family for who they are. Becky goes on a completely different journey to Josh and is struggling to figure out her sexuality and her feelings for her friend. Her journey is a journey of self-discovery and how she deals with that, and if she wants to tell those closest to her. Both Becky and Josh are characters that some young readers will see themselves in, and this, in turn, may help them realise that they aren’t alone in how they are feeling.
Proud Of Me was an incredible, heartfelt read that I couldn’t put down. This book perfectly ties together the themes of LGBTQ+, family, identity and finding your place in the world. Sarah Hagger-Holt has written another piece of stunning middle grade and I, for one, cannot wait to read what she writes next.
rebeccawantstoreadmore's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
katrina_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Wow!
As a fan of Sarah Hagger-Holt's previous book (Nothing Ever Happens Here) I knew I wanted to read Proud of Me as soon as possible. Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read an e-arc for review.
I don't know where to start! So many positive things to say about this story and the characters within it.
The story is based around a family with two mums and two kids that were conceived using a sperm donor. The plot revolves around secrets, Josh and Becky having one each and then a family 'secret' ... although the family secret isn't exactly a 'secret', more something that just isn't talked about.
The book moves between Becky and Josh's points of view chapter by chapter, which works so well to show how their lives fit together, it reflects on their similarities and differences, the things they share and the things they don't.
Many elements are addressed in the story, from LGBTQ+ rights, religion, friendships, coming out, relationships, being donor-conceived, internet safety, opposition, and hateful views. But, they are all done so, so well!
Through the ups and downs it all comes together to leave you with a full-heart and a lovely rounded ending (my biggest peeve is a poorly finished or rushed ending).
I look forward to purchasing this book for my school library and recommending it to the students, as I have with 'Nothing Ever Happens Here'.
I hope Sarah Hagger-Holt continues to write more books like these for young people!
As a fan of Sarah Hagger-Holt's previous book (Nothing Ever Happens Here) I knew I wanted to read Proud of Me as soon as possible. Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read an e-arc for review.
I don't know where to start! So many positive things to say about this story and the characters within it.
The story is based around a family with two mums and two kids that were conceived using a sperm donor. The plot revolves around secrets, Josh and Becky having one each and then a family 'secret' ... although the family secret isn't exactly a 'secret', more something that just isn't talked about.
The book moves between Becky and Josh's points of view chapter by chapter, which works so well to show how their lives fit together, it reflects on their similarities and differences, the things they share and the things they don't.
Many elements are addressed in the story, from LGBTQ+ rights, religion, friendships, coming out, relationships, being donor-conceived, internet safety, opposition, and hateful views. But, they are all done so, so well!
Through the ups and downs it all comes together to leave you with a full-heart and a lovely rounded ending (my biggest peeve is a poorly finished or rushed ending).
I look forward to purchasing this book for my school library and recommending it to the students, as I have with 'Nothing Ever Happens Here'.
I hope Sarah Hagger-Holt continues to write more books like these for young people!