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A review by claudiaslibrarycard
Just Happy to Be Here by Naomi Kanakia
challenging
emotional
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Okay, so first I thought this was a memoir until 71%. So that says a lot about the great character development of the narrator, Tara, and about the author's ability to make the events feel so grounded in reality and to establish emotional connection with the reader.
Now that we've established that I don't read a synopsis to save my life, let's talk about Just Happy to Be Here. This YA gem is about Tara, a trans girl of color, who has fought to be the first trans girl at her new all girls school. Tara wants to be a member of an exclusive club called the Sibyls. Her desire to fit in and be part of a group is a huge focus of the novel, and she experiences people solidly in her corner and those fully opposed to her presence, and even her existence.
And there's also all the other things going on in Tara's life, crushes, not being on T, wanting to be on T, navigating her identity with her parents, navigating being trans in Indian culture, making new friends at a new school... this book is rich and full of all the things in a real teen's life.
This book will be triggering for some, with dead naming and transphobia that is very clearly on page. And it is also beautiful and important, as the author's note so poignantly explains. I am certain this will be on my list of top TA books this year.
Now that we've established that I don't read a synopsis to save my life, let's talk about Just Happy to Be Here. This YA gem is about Tara, a trans girl of color, who has fought to be the first trans girl at her new all girls school. Tara wants to be a member of an exclusive club called the Sibyls. Her desire to fit in and be part of a group is a huge focus of the novel, and she experiences people solidly in her corner and those fully opposed to her presence, and even her existence.
And there's also all the other things going on in Tara's life, crushes, not being on T, wanting to be on T, navigating her identity with her parents, navigating being trans in Indian culture, making new friends at a new school... this book is rich and full of all the things in a real teen's life.
This book will be triggering for some, with dead naming and transphobia that is very clearly on page. And it is also beautiful and important, as the author's note so poignantly explains. I am certain this will be on my list of top TA books this year.