janedoelish's review against another edition
5.0
I thoroughly liked this novel, except for the postscript ("boys will be boys and girls will be girls"), which seemed to undermine many of the far more nuanced, less essentialist observations within its pages.
Some of the characters come close to being caricatures, while others are complex and multi-faceted, but it all gels together really well.
Some of the characters come close to being caricatures, while others are complex and multi-faceted, but it all gels together really well.
alcame's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
foreverday's review against another edition
4.0
overall rating: 3.5
warnings for book: none
I remember really enjoying this book as a 10-11 year old so picked it up again, but although it's a easy, fun read it was definitely more for a younger age group.
warnings for book: none
I remember really enjoying this book as a 10-11 year old so picked it up again, but although it's a easy, fun read it was definitely more for a younger age group.
daniellesalwaysreading's review against another edition
2.0
I often look for books that play with gender stereotypes. This book did just that. A young and very tough teen finds a sense of freedom and power when he decides to go to his new school dressed as a girl. I did like this book, but the author just couldn't seem to let go of most of the stereotypes about boys and girls. The girls were backstabbing gossips and the boys were emotionally stunted. Even the main character who was crossdressing was still unable to break free from stereotypical boy behavior and in the end I think it just reinforced the idea that all boys are like this and all girls are like that. I would love to see a book that really breaks the stereotypes, but I have not found one yet.
klevade's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
frankiecully's review against another edition
3.0
I was sent this book and i read it in 1 day.
Cute story. Good for kids aged 9-12 i would say.
Cute story. Good for kids aged 9-12 i would say.
librariann's review against another edition
4.0
Ages 10+ Thirteen year old Matthew Burton's cousin Sam Lopez is a firecracker. He's still coping with his mom's death, not to mention a dad in prison who he hasn't seen since he was five, when he comes to England to live with the Burtons. Audacious, bragging, and always getting in fights, he has to be 'hazed' in order to join Matthew's group of friends - also known as the Shed Gang. Their answer? He has to pass himself off as a girl when he starts school. With his long blond hair and slight build, Sam's transition to Samantha is almost seamless. Soon, he's palling around with the "bitches," the female counterpart to the Shed Gang, even attracting the eye of the school hunk. But when his dad, out of jail and after Sam's inheritance, comes after the boy, Sam has to stay a girl for a while longer. Light, humorous fare with a happy, if a bit abrupt, ending.
kba76's review against another edition
3.0
Firstly, this was not the book I expected. It wasn't bad, but nor was it quite the exploration of gender/identity that I was expecting. This clash between what you might think you're getting and what's there could lead to a lot of disappointed readers.
Matt has a fairly safe life. Nothing much happens, then things are shaken up when his mum is given custody of her nephew, Sam, after the death of his mother. Sam is prickly, tough, but clearly deeply upset by the absence of his father. Naturally, perhaps, this is covered up with a kind of machismo, which just irritates Matt and his friends. So they decide to set Sam a challenge - one that will have serious consequences. Sam has to spend his first week at school as a girl.
Can't see many 12 year old boys doing this, but Sam does. Of course it creates confusion, some humorous situations and a fair amount of chaos.
While there were attempts to explore issues around identity, it was itself upholding some of the sexist views it pertained to challenge.
All in all this was reasonably funny, but it left a rather sour taste as it just wasn't doing what it suggested it would.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my review.
Matt has a fairly safe life. Nothing much happens, then things are shaken up when his mum is given custody of her nephew, Sam, after the death of his mother. Sam is prickly, tough, but clearly deeply upset by the absence of his father. Naturally, perhaps, this is covered up with a kind of machismo, which just irritates Matt and his friends. So they decide to set Sam a challenge - one that will have serious consequences. Sam has to spend his first week at school as a girl.
Can't see many 12 year old boys doing this, but Sam does. Of course it creates confusion, some humorous situations and a fair amount of chaos.
While there were attempts to explore issues around identity, it was itself upholding some of the sexist views it pertained to challenge.
All in all this was reasonably funny, but it left a rather sour taste as it just wasn't doing what it suggested it would.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my review.
nastjausagi's review against another edition
4.0
wir haben das damals in der 6. klasse gelesen. es war super interessant, besonders, weil damals in deutschland das thema gender nicht so groß war.
graceblackthorn's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0