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A review by captwinghead
Noteworthy by Riley Redgate
4.0
This was the most interesting YA novel I've read since Ace of Spaces. Diverse representation, discussions of gender, discussions of poverty, and the characters sound like teenagers. The only hang up I have is that, since I'm not a non-binary person, I can't speak to the ethics of this story's scenario. There were a couple of moments I felt uncomfortable about it, but I can't say whether it was just a personal concern or if it was ethically questionable.
I picked the book up thinking it might turn out that Jordan realizes she might identify as non-binary. The discussions of how she never really felt like she fit as a girl and how she felt more comfortable when everyone thought she was a boy and stopped expecting her to perform gender a certain way (mostly) fit with some stories I've heard from non-binary people. However, the story ends and she ultimately she's a female character that just doesn't fit in the small box people wanted her to fit in. Which is okay, of course. I personally don't fit in with all the expectations of women either, but those uncomfy moments in the story remain.
However, I was enthralled by this book. The descriptions of the settings and Jordan's emotional states were vibrant. Jordan is a character I was rooting for and her financial struggles broke my heart. So much was added to her character to bring her to life and this was certainly not a story where I'd say we never really got to know her. She felt real and complex and I really appreciated that. The cast was more diverse than I was expected and I've never read a story with a Sikh character, let alone a queer one.
So, I must say there were some aspects of the premise that made me uncomfy from a "I can't speak to if this is okay" standpoint, but I was invested in the story.
Spoiler
The moment where Nihal sees Julian as a fellow member of the queer community and decides to come out, the discomfort I felt wasn't offset by the fact that Jordan ultimately turns out to be queer. The trust Nihal felt was based on dishonesty and as a queer person of color in an unwelcoming family, I honestly thought more would be made of that breach of trust. There's an apology and Jordan feels very guilty, both in the moment and in the aftermath of the reveal, but there's more made of Jordan deciding not to take action against Caskey (anger inducing) than there is time to unpack what she did to Nihal.I picked the book up thinking it might turn out that Jordan realizes she might identify as non-binary. The discussions of how she never really felt like she fit as a girl and how she felt more comfortable when everyone thought she was a boy and stopped expecting her to perform gender a certain way (mostly) fit with some stories I've heard from non-binary people. However, the story ends and she ultimately she's a female character that just doesn't fit in the small box people wanted her to fit in. Which is okay, of course. I personally don't fit in with all the expectations of women either, but those uncomfy moments in the story remain.
However, I was enthralled by this book. The descriptions of the settings and Jordan's emotional states were vibrant. Jordan is a character I was rooting for and her financial struggles broke my heart. So much was added to her character to bring her to life and this was certainly not a story where I'd say we never really got to know her. She felt real and complex and I really appreciated that. The cast was more diverse than I was expected and I've never read a story with a Sikh character, let alone a queer one.
So, I must say there were some aspects of the premise that made me uncomfy from a "I can't speak to if this is okay" standpoint, but I was invested in the story.