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A review by shanaqui
Cheer Up! Love and Pompoms by Crystal Frasier
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
3.0
Cheer Up is a cute story about a trans girl who captains the cheer squad, and an unpopular but smart girl who has been urged to join the squad to help improve her CV for college applications. They used to be friends, and it's not really clear why they aren't anymore, but they regain their closeness as Bebe helps Annie adjust to the squad and become part of their act.
The characters around them aren't very fleshed out, with just a couple of scenes with their parents (who all seem to be trying hard in their various ways) and with the whole squad. The squad don't get differentiated very much, despite introduction bubbles explaining a tiny bit about each personality -- ultimately they kind of act as a big mass.
Nonetheless, it comes out pretty cute, with Bebe learning how to speak up about things despite her need to be the best trans girl in the world, and Annie allowing herself to spend more time with others, and to enjoy connecting with people. I like the art, and I appreciated the fact that the reveal that Bebe is trans isn't because she takes her top off, but instead with a flash to the newspaper clipping about her becoming a cheerleader.
The characters around them aren't very fleshed out, with just a couple of scenes with their parents (who all seem to be trying hard in their various ways) and with the whole squad. The squad don't get differentiated very much, despite introduction bubbles explaining a tiny bit about each personality -- ultimately they kind of act as a big mass.
Nonetheless, it comes out pretty cute, with Bebe learning how to speak up about things despite her need to be the best trans girl in the world, and Annie allowing herself to spend more time with others, and to enjoy connecting with people. I like the art, and I appreciated the fact that the reveal that Bebe is trans isn't because she takes her top off, but instead with a flash to the newspaper clipping about her becoming a cheerleader.