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lady_swank's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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? No
4.5
Such a beautiful story! Needed to read a middle grade/YA book with queer representation for a reading challenge and found this title on a Reddit post. Went in blind and couldn’t put it down! Had my heart in a tight knot from start to finish.
callme_tippy's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Kacen write books that seem like they are for Black people on the outside, but in reality they are actually written for white people.
I find it very interesting that in a book where Callendar themselves sates they wanted to make a book for young Black boys that have a Black Gay lead, but they still made the 2nd lead a white boy.
Not just any white boy, but the son of the racist white sheriff and the brother of the racist young man that killed Black man by tying him to his truck and dragging him around town.
In what world is this written for young Black boys?
Wouldn't it have made more sense to have the main character as well as the 2nd main character/"kind of love interest" also be a young Black boy?
This novel could have given so much more than what it did, I think the book would have been much more powerful and impactful had both of the leads been young Black boys struggling with being gay.
On top of that, I found Sandy very annoying, I was sad for his situation but he was not a likeable character.
And to top it off, the only only young Black boy that speaks, besides the lead, is a misogynistic bigot. Meanwhile the young white boy in group in thought to be understanding and open.
I think some of the authors internalized anti-blackness and need for white approval shows through this book and characterizations.
This is the second book where I have had issue with the way Callendar portrays and writes their Black characters vs non-Black characters. I will not be reading another one of their books.
I find it very interesting that in a book where Callendar themselves sates they wanted to make a book for young Black boys that have a Black Gay lead, but they still made the 2nd lead a white boy.
Not just any white boy, but the son of the racist white sheriff and the brother of the racist young man that killed Black man by tying him to his truck and dragging him around town.
In what world is this written for young Black boys?
Wouldn't it have made more sense to have the main character as well as the 2nd main character/"kind of love interest" also be a young Black boy?
This novel could have given so much more than what it did, I think the book would have been much more powerful and impactful had both of the leads been young Black boys struggling with being gay.
On top of that, I found Sandy very annoying, I was sad for his situation but he was not a likeable character.
And to top it off, the only only young Black boy that speaks, besides the lead, is a misogynistic bigot. Meanwhile the young white boy in group in thought to be understanding and open.
I think some of the authors internalized anti-blackness and need for white approval shows through this book and characterizations.
This is the second book where I have had issue with the way Callendar portrays and writes their Black characters vs non-Black characters. I will not be reading another one of their books.
Graphic: Hate crime, Misogyny, Pregnancy, and Outing
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Grief, and Classism
mysteriesofmar's review against another edition
5.0
powerful exploration of toxic masculinity, stereotypes, and grieving family dynamics. cried at least twice
riahwamby's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
shksprsis's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-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? Yes
5.0
literary_neri's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
The topics in this books were covered beautifully. This is a really amazing read and such a good middle grade.
jocelynzoe's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Child abuse and Homophobia
Minor: Racism and Abandonment
chemeducator's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
3.75
Graphic: Homophobia and Grief
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, and Racism
Minor: Bullying and Abandonment