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A review by celadon
Fight + Flight by Jules Machias
4.0
At first glance, I was surprised to see a main character with such a strong grasp of who she is. Avery is a kid learning to live with her hEDS (hypermobile Ehler-Danlos Syndrome) while being openly queer and assertive in her identity. Middle grade heavily relies on not knowing, and trying to figure out what kind of person you’re supposed to be. This inevitably ends in some sort of life lesson about being who you are and being nice to others, etc. I was pleasantly surprised to find her not conforming to those norms. Other than all of that drama Avery also has a crush on a girl in her class, Sarah…
Avery and Sarah switch perspectives from chapter to chapter. Sarah’s consciousness is channeled through her journal pages, beautifully inscribed with drawings. It was an ironic contrast to her struggle with anxiety. We learn this very early on and throughout the story, she continues to find methods to quell her mind. The other function of her character was her relationship with Christianity and how it both hurts and helps.
I was stupid to not read the synopsis at the back of the book before starting. Their school is simulating shooter drills. Unexpectedly, the school goes on lockdown. Avery and her best friend are terrified by the noises they hear and they rush to find a safe place. Avery’s friend is scared because he is multiracial and there is a visceral concern for his safety. Avery hurts her leg in the drill and keeps going anyway for the fear of getting shot. When it turns out it was only a drill everyone is shaken and there is strong backlash from the parents. Not reading up on the background made me experience it strongly and empathize with the characters about their trauma.
From the point of the shooter drill forward, Fight + Flight explores different people’s stances on the issue of school systems traumatizing their students. And consequently effective ways of raising awareness and being an activist. With this serious topic in mind, it still finds a way to not make every moment feel heavy, and fill them with shenanigans instead.
There were some things I didn’t agree with, specifically referring to a trans person with the wrong pronouns in the past tense. That exists in this book, but there are also necessary discussions, figuring out how to be a good friend, a cute dog, and a happy ending. In this day and age, we all need more happy endings.
—-Thank You High Five Books For This ARC—-
Avery and Sarah switch perspectives from chapter to chapter. Sarah’s consciousness is channeled through her journal pages, beautifully inscribed with drawings. It was an ironic contrast to her struggle with anxiety. We learn this very early on and throughout the story, she continues to find methods to quell her mind. The other function of her character was her relationship with Christianity and how it both hurts and helps.
I was stupid to not read the synopsis at the back of the book before starting. Their school is simulating shooter drills. Unexpectedly, the school goes on lockdown. Avery and her best friend are terrified by the noises they hear and they rush to find a safe place. Avery’s friend is scared because he is multiracial and there is a visceral concern for his safety. Avery hurts her leg in the drill and keeps going anyway for the fear of getting shot. When it turns out it was only a drill everyone is shaken and there is strong backlash from the parents. Not reading up on the background made me experience it strongly and empathize with the characters about their trauma.
From the point of the shooter drill forward, Fight + Flight explores different people’s stances on the issue of school systems traumatizing their students. And consequently effective ways of raising awareness and being an activist. With this serious topic in mind, it still finds a way to not make every moment feel heavy, and fill them with shenanigans instead.
There were some things I didn’t agree with, specifically referring to a trans person with the wrong pronouns in the past tense. That exists in this book, but there are also necessary discussions, figuring out how to be a good friend, a cute dog, and a happy ending. In this day and age, we all need more happy endings.
—-Thank You High Five Books For This ARC—-