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A review by meggie82461
Yes No Maybe So by Becky Albertalli, Aisha Saeed
4.0
4.5 stars!!
“All our actions are little drops that collect into a groundswell for change. It’s the only way most change happens. Ordinary people doing everything they can."
I really did like this one! I saw the mixed reviews before I even added it to my library wait list, so I was expecting the book to be more controversial than it actually was. I mean, yes, I get it: considering this story featured a Muslim heroine and a Jewish hero, it probably should've delved deeper into the obvious issues that would be at play. I realize their relationship was probably oversimplified. But still, it made me realize I hadn't read a story with a Muslim heroine, and I really liked that I learned a lot of new things about the religion. So no, this wasn't exactly earth-shattering, but it was very enjoyable AND it had a good, strong anti-Trump message, which is always a win in my book!
Maya and Jamie were childhood friends before reconnecting again at age seventeen. Jamie is an awkward teenager, but not unpopular; on the other hand, Maya really just has one best friend and they're drifting apart. So, Maya and Jamie reconnect while volunteering alongside their mothers for the local politician Jordan Rossum (D). At first, Maya isn't too gung-ho about Rossum, yet another white cisgender politician. She just volunteers because her mother said she would buy her a car. But over time she starts to realize what is at stake if Rossum doesn't win (you know, the freedom of many American citizens). So, Maya and Jamie start canvassing neighborhoods together, and this is how their friendship begins and then organically grows. I really like it in books when the couple becomes friends first, just because it is so rare in YA books. And yes, the story jumped the shark a little bit towards the end when it came to a certain viral picture. I felt like the necessary "conflict" could've been a LOT deeper than that. And as I alluded to earlier, the author did gloss over the religious differences between Maya and Jamie, which I guess is acceptable when they're so young... but still not very realistic. I know some of the complaints from others were that Jamie acted as sort of a "white savior" to Maya, but I never saw it that way. No, Maya did not have a lot of friends and yes, she was upset that her parents were separating. But her dad was a doctor; she wasn't "struggling" in ways that made her a damsel in distress or anything. She had normal teenage issues, just like Jamie, and their friendship was positive for them both. I mean, he was so in awe of her that it honestly never crossed my mind that he intended to save her from anything. That being said, I did like Jamie a lot, but I didn't always love Maya. She had a tendency to be snotty and also just kind of hypocritical. Like, she would judge Jamie for something and then turn around and do something very similar. At least Jamie was self-aware; at times, Maya acted like everyone needed to conform to her world. But, not unlike Jamie, I did get used to her somewhat abrasive personality. She definitely was an inherently good person, so that went a long way too.
There were lots of fantastic details in this story. The fact that Jamie's grandma had a verified IG account titled InstaGramm? Adorable. There were also some experiences with anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, which definitely needed to be included when you consider the characters and the fact that the story took place after the 2016 election. Also, I know how confusing it can be when you think you like and respect someone, but then you find out they are Trumpers and thus fundamentally against your very existence. I felt the frustration from Jamie and Maya; it does feel like the world is moving backwards sometimes, but still, we CANNOT give up. We can't let the assholes win. And I liked that this was the message of the story, that even when we're discouraged, we can't stop fighting for what we believe in. Because in the words of Gabe, Jamie's cousin the campaign manager, Oh, it’s just a special election! It’s just the state senate! I can sit this one out! Well, you know who’s not sitting this one out?” He throws his palms up. “Republicans. Those mofos show up every goddamn time.”
In conclusion, if you like YA and lean pretty far to the left politically, I really think you'd enjoy this book.
"We don’t want the racist asshole guy to win, right?”
“He already did win. In 2016.”
(Burn!)
“In the Mario Bros. games there’s the big bad—Bowser, who is this evil mega-turtle,” Jamie finally says. “And they also have these Koopa Troopas—little turtles that are weirdly cute but completely evil. Bowser became president in 2016. But I guess I didn’t really think about how it’s not just about him—there’s hundreds of Koopa Troopas everywhere to watch out for too.”
She’s always looked kind of like a less pale, darker-haired Belle from Beauty and the Beast. But personality-wise, she was a total Mulan. Super badass, completely self-assured.
There’s nothing sadder than coming back down to earth after you shoot your shot and fail.
Oh, sure, let’s canvass . . . when we have time. Resist white supremacy—as long as it doesn’t interfere with our super chill weekend. I’m not saying I’m perfect. I’m as guilty as anyone. But at least I’m trying.
Everything’s stopped working. My brain my heart my lungs. Have stopped working. I can’t do this. I’m not a guy who can do this. But. I tuck my arm around Maya’s shoulder. And without missing a beat, she curls up closer to me.
“All our actions are little drops that collect into a groundswell for change. It’s the only way most change happens. Ordinary people doing everything they can."
I really did like this one! I saw the mixed reviews before I even added it to my library wait list, so I was expecting the book to be more controversial than it actually was. I mean, yes, I get it: considering this story featured a Muslim heroine and a Jewish hero, it probably should've delved deeper into the obvious issues that would be at play. I realize their relationship was probably oversimplified. But still, it made me realize I hadn't read a story with a Muslim heroine, and I really liked that I learned a lot of new things about the religion. So no, this wasn't exactly earth-shattering, but it was very enjoyable AND it had a good, strong anti-Trump message, which is always a win in my book!
Maya and Jamie were childhood friends before reconnecting again at age seventeen. Jamie is an awkward teenager, but not unpopular; on the other hand, Maya really just has one best friend and they're drifting apart. So, Maya and Jamie reconnect while volunteering alongside their mothers for the local politician Jordan Rossum (D). At first, Maya isn't too gung-ho about Rossum, yet another white cisgender politician. She just volunteers because her mother said she would buy her a car. But over time she starts to realize what is at stake if Rossum doesn't win (you know, the freedom of many American citizens). So, Maya and Jamie start canvassing neighborhoods together, and this is how their friendship begins and then organically grows. I really like it in books when the couple becomes friends first, just because it is so rare in YA books. And yes, the story jumped the shark a little bit towards the end when it came to a certain viral picture. I felt like the necessary "conflict" could've been a LOT deeper than that. And as I alluded to earlier, the author did gloss over the religious differences between Maya and Jamie, which I guess is acceptable when they're so young... but still not very realistic. I know some of the complaints from others were that Jamie acted as sort of a "white savior" to Maya, but I never saw it that way. No, Maya did not have a lot of friends and yes, she was upset that her parents were separating. But her dad was a doctor; she wasn't "struggling" in ways that made her a damsel in distress or anything. She had normal teenage issues, just like Jamie, and their friendship was positive for them both. I mean, he was so in awe of her that it honestly never crossed my mind that he intended to save her from anything. That being said, I did like Jamie a lot, but I didn't always love Maya. She had a tendency to be snotty and also just kind of hypocritical. Like, she would judge Jamie for something and then turn around and do something very similar. At least Jamie was self-aware; at times, Maya acted like everyone needed to conform to her world. But, not unlike Jamie, I did get used to her somewhat abrasive personality. She definitely was an inherently good person, so that went a long way too.
There were lots of fantastic details in this story. The fact that Jamie's grandma had a verified IG account titled InstaGramm? Adorable. There were also some experiences with anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, which definitely needed to be included when you consider the characters and the fact that the story took place after the 2016 election. Also, I know how confusing it can be when you think you like and respect someone, but then you find out they are Trumpers and thus fundamentally against your very existence. I felt the frustration from Jamie and Maya; it does feel like the world is moving backwards sometimes, but still, we CANNOT give up. We can't let the assholes win. And I liked that this was the message of the story, that even when we're discouraged, we can't stop fighting for what we believe in. Because in the words of Gabe, Jamie's cousin the campaign manager, Oh, it’s just a special election! It’s just the state senate! I can sit this one out! Well, you know who’s not sitting this one out?” He throws his palms up. “Republicans. Those mofos show up every goddamn time.”
In conclusion, if you like YA and lean pretty far to the left politically, I really think you'd enjoy this book.
"We don’t want the racist asshole guy to win, right?”
“He already did win. In 2016.”
(Burn!)
“In the Mario Bros. games there’s the big bad—Bowser, who is this evil mega-turtle,” Jamie finally says. “And they also have these Koopa Troopas—little turtles that are weirdly cute but completely evil. Bowser became president in 2016. But I guess I didn’t really think about how it’s not just about him—there’s hundreds of Koopa Troopas everywhere to watch out for too.”
She’s always looked kind of like a less pale, darker-haired Belle from Beauty and the Beast. But personality-wise, she was a total Mulan. Super badass, completely self-assured.
There’s nothing sadder than coming back down to earth after you shoot your shot and fail.
Oh, sure, let’s canvass . . . when we have time. Resist white supremacy—as long as it doesn’t interfere with our super chill weekend. I’m not saying I’m perfect. I’m as guilty as anyone. But at least I’m trying.
Everything’s stopped working. My brain my heart my lungs. Have stopped working. I can’t do this. I’m not a guy who can do this. But. I tuck my arm around Maya’s shoulder. And without missing a beat, she curls up closer to me.