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A review by kays_reading_journal
Ollie In Between by Jess Callans
4.0
Explaining a few content warnings, review to come later: Self harm is listed as minor- there's an iffy scene where the thought is there. Deadnaming I listed as minor because Ollie is figuring themselves out throughout the novel. Ollie is their nickname (and later chosen name) but their full name is used often (which they hate).
To start my review: this is such an incredible book to be published right now. Queer kids will always exist and I'm so glad that there's so much queer literature for kids being published. That being said, I just personally wish this had been a bit more hopeful. There's a lot of content warnings that I noted (the book didn't offer any) and there's a lot of despair and darkness as Ollie navigates their gender identity, middle school, grief of a parent, and what is pointing to be undiagnosed autism (although the book never explicitly mentions it). While there is hope sprinkled throughout the book, there wasn't enough for me personally.
I did enjoy that the author included Ollie getting their first period. It's a time that's stressful and can be embarrassing for everyone who goes through it, so I really enjoyed seeing all their friends and family stepping in to help them feel more comfortable.
Lastly, I kind of wish their neurodivergence had been explored more. Sure, Ollie's journey figuring out their gender is the main story, but every single aspect of it is influenced by the way they see the world through a non neurotypical way. For example: constantly not thinking anyone else makes sense, copying faces and phrases as a way to fit in, not liking change, thinking other people's smiles are fake.
To start my review: this is such an incredible book to be published right now. Queer kids will always exist and I'm so glad that there's so much queer literature for kids being published. That being said, I just personally wish this had been a bit more hopeful. There's a lot of content warnings that I noted (the book didn't offer any) and there's a lot of despair and darkness as Ollie navigates their gender identity, middle school, grief of a parent, and what is pointing to be undiagnosed autism (although the book never explicitly mentions it). While there is hope sprinkled throughout the book, there wasn't enough for me personally.
I did enjoy that the author included Ollie getting their first period. It's a time that's stressful and can be embarrassing for everyone who goes through it, so I really enjoyed seeing all their friends and family stepping in to help them feel more comfortable.
Lastly, I kind of wish their neurodivergence had been explored more. Sure, Ollie's journey figuring out their gender is the main story, but every single aspect of it is influenced by the way they see the world through a non neurotypical way. For example: constantly not thinking anyone else makes sense, copying faces and phrases as a way to fit in, not liking change, thinking other people's smiles are fake.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Transphobia, Grief, Outing, Dysphoria
Moderate: Body shaming, Blood, Death of parent
Minor: Deadnaming, Self harm