imdunn's review against another edition
4.0
I love queer middle grade. My favorites were Stacy's Mom, Sylvie and Jenna, Petra and Pearl, Balancing, Acts, Come out, Come out, Whenever you Are, Guess What's Coming to Dinner, and at this point, I'm just naming all of them. This was really sweet.
gmc16's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
alexbe2ab4's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.75
stitchsaddiction's review against another edition
5.0
This Is Our Rainbow: 16 Stories of Her, Him, Them and Us is a book that I knew without doubt was a book that I had to read and would love and I wasn't left wanting.
There is a shortage of books for those who read middle grade tales that focus solely on being members of the LGBTQ+ community. Books that say it is perfectly okay to be who you are, that we as individuals are important to the life we live in and the stories that are told.
I found the way that each tale was done via a different medium both refreshing and excellently done as they would compliment one another and highlight the particular tale. The artwork of the cover is exquisitely done and again reflective of how diverse the world is now in the twenty-first century and has been for some time although sadly, forgotten or ignored by the majority of authors, illustrators and the world as a whole.
I truly hope that This Is Our Rainbow: 16 Stories of Her, Him, Them and Us is the first of many books for middle-grade readers and helps them feel the acceptance and joy of being who they are far sooner than many of us who came before.
There is a shortage of books for those who read middle grade tales that focus solely on being members of the LGBTQ+ community. Books that say it is perfectly okay to be who you are, that we as individuals are important to the life we live in and the stories that are told.
I found the way that each tale was done via a different medium both refreshing and excellently done as they would compliment one another and highlight the particular tale. The artwork of the cover is exquisitely done and again reflective of how diverse the world is now in the twenty-first century and has been for some time although sadly, forgotten or ignored by the majority of authors, illustrators and the world as a whole.
I truly hope that This Is Our Rainbow: 16 Stories of Her, Him, Them and Us is the first of many books for middle-grade readers and helps them feel the acceptance and joy of being who they are far sooner than many of us who came before.
tlrjhnlwsn's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
embe94's review against another edition
4.0
As usual during an anthology, some stories I liked more than others. All together, though, it was an incredibly heartwarming set of stories that mean so much.
miloblue's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
alexisagit18's review against another edition
5.0
This was amazing, and so representative.
I absolutely loved it.
I absolutely loved it.
popthebutterfly's review against another edition
5.0
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: This Is Our Rainbow: 16 Stories of Her, Him, Them, and Us
Author: Eric Bell, Lisa Jenn Bigelow, Ashley Herring Blake, Lisa Bunker, Alex Gino, Justina Ireland, Shing Yin Khor, Katherine Locke, Mariama J. Lockington, Nicole Melleby, Marieke Nijkamp, Claribel A. Ortega, Mark Oshiro, Molly Knox Ostertag, Aisa Salazar, and AJ Sass
Book Series: Standalone
Diversity: Non binary MCs
Ace MC
Trans MC
Latinx lesbian MCs
Gay drag queen side character
Trans side characters
Black MC
Black Lesbian MCs
F/f romance
Mixed relationship
Neopronouns
Gay celiac MC
Black queer MC
Latinx side characters
MC with 2 moms
Side character with 2 dads
Bisexual side character
Lesbian MC
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: middle grade readers, contemporary, fantasy, sci-fi, poetry, anthology
Genre: Middle Grade anthology
Publication Date: October 19, 2021
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pages: 288
Recommended Age: 10+ (Animal Death mentioned, Pronouns not respected, Grief, Domestic violence mentioned, Forced gendered notions, Homophobia, Slavery, Torture mentioned, Mentions of death by hanging, Bullying, Racism, Heartbreak, Religion mentioned, Parent death mentioned, Cancer mentioned)
Explanation of CWs: Animal death is the focus of one story, as is grief. Heartbreak is in a couple of stories. Slavery is shown and torture is mentioned. Bullying is shown in a few stories. Racism is shown in a couple of stories. Religion is mentioned and one church service is shown.
Synopsis: A boyband fandom becomes a conduit to coming out. A former bully becomes a first-kiss prospect. One nonbinary kid searches for an inclusive athletic community after quitting gymnastics. Another nonbinary kid, who happens to be a pirate, makes a wish that comes true--but not how they thought it would. A tween girl navigates a crush on her friend's mom. A young witch turns herself into a puppy to win over a new neighbor. A trans girl empowers her online bestie to come out.
From wind-breathing dragons to first crushes, This Is Our Rainbow features story after story of joyful, proud LGBTQIA+ representation. You will fall in love with this insightful, poignant anthology of queer fantasy, historical, and contemporary stories from authors including: Eric Bell, Lisa Jenn Bigelow, Ashley Herring Blake, Lisa Bunker, Alex Gino, Justina Ireland, Shing Yin Khor, Katherine Locke, Mariama J. Lockington, Nicole Melleby, Marieke Nijkamp, Claribel A. Ortega, Mark Oshiro, Molly Knox Ostertag, Aisa Salazar, and AJ Sass.
Review: Overall I really enjoyed this anthology! It included a lot of cute short stories and I loved the different stories and genres that prominently featured queer characters. The character development was amazing across the stories. The world's were all well developed and immersive. The book was also a lot of fun to read!
The only issue I had is that I wish some of the stories were grouped together in a cohesive manner and I wished there was more main characters that were gay or outright pansexual. I also think one or two main characters were ace but there was nothing concrete, which I think could have been better stated and written.
Verdict: it was great!
Book: This Is Our Rainbow: 16 Stories of Her, Him, Them, and Us
Author: Eric Bell, Lisa Jenn Bigelow, Ashley Herring Blake, Lisa Bunker, Alex Gino, Justina Ireland, Shing Yin Khor, Katherine Locke, Mariama J. Lockington, Nicole Melleby, Marieke Nijkamp, Claribel A. Ortega, Mark Oshiro, Molly Knox Ostertag, Aisa Salazar, and AJ Sass
Book Series: Standalone
Diversity: Non binary MCs
Ace MC
Trans MC
Latinx lesbian MCs
Gay drag queen side character
Trans side characters
Black MC
Black Lesbian MCs
F/f romance
Mixed relationship
Neopronouns
Gay celiac MC
Black queer MC
Latinx side characters
MC with 2 moms
Side character with 2 dads
Bisexual side character
Lesbian MC
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: middle grade readers, contemporary, fantasy, sci-fi, poetry, anthology
Genre: Middle Grade anthology
Publication Date: October 19, 2021
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pages: 288
Recommended Age: 10+ (Animal Death mentioned, Pronouns not respected, Grief, Domestic violence mentioned, Forced gendered notions, Homophobia, Slavery, Torture mentioned, Mentions of death by hanging, Bullying, Racism, Heartbreak, Religion mentioned, Parent death mentioned, Cancer mentioned)
Explanation of CWs: Animal death is the focus of one story, as is grief. Heartbreak is in a couple of stories. Slavery is shown and torture is mentioned. Bullying is shown in a few stories. Racism is shown in a couple of stories. Religion is mentioned and one church service is shown.
Synopsis: A boyband fandom becomes a conduit to coming out. A former bully becomes a first-kiss prospect. One nonbinary kid searches for an inclusive athletic community after quitting gymnastics. Another nonbinary kid, who happens to be a pirate, makes a wish that comes true--but not how they thought it would. A tween girl navigates a crush on her friend's mom. A young witch turns herself into a puppy to win over a new neighbor. A trans girl empowers her online bestie to come out.
From wind-breathing dragons to first crushes, This Is Our Rainbow features story after story of joyful, proud LGBTQIA+ representation. You will fall in love with this insightful, poignant anthology of queer fantasy, historical, and contemporary stories from authors including: Eric Bell, Lisa Jenn Bigelow, Ashley Herring Blake, Lisa Bunker, Alex Gino, Justina Ireland, Shing Yin Khor, Katherine Locke, Mariama J. Lockington, Nicole Melleby, Marieke Nijkamp, Claribel A. Ortega, Mark Oshiro, Molly Knox Ostertag, Aisa Salazar, and AJ Sass.
Review: Overall I really enjoyed this anthology! It included a lot of cute short stories and I loved the different stories and genres that prominently featured queer characters. The character development was amazing across the stories. The world's were all well developed and immersive. The book was also a lot of fun to read!
The only issue I had is that I wish some of the stories were grouped together in a cohesive manner and I wished there was more main characters that were gay or outright pansexual. I also think one or two main characters were ace but there was nothing concrete, which I think could have been better stated and written.
Verdict: it was great!