laneyj6's review against another edition
2.0
I fully support the message of this book and what the author is trying to say (let kids choose, let us all just accept everyone for who they want to be, love each other no matter what etc...) great messages and we should have so much more of that going on but....
I had a real problem with the dialogue of 3 year old Claude. I know that the parents state he has advanced vocabulary for his age but I just could not read it without getting frustrated. No child would talk like that.
I also didn’t enjoy the plot line of them just heading off to Thailand for a month or so. It’s not something that’s really going to be relatable to anyone and is the problem oh so easily solved by spending some time in SE Asia? I’d have rather they stayed in Seattle and went through the process of managing and fixing life there, where their life is. It’s going to be a lot more in-line with what the vast majority of us have to do with our own problems.
I really did struggle to finish this and get through the dialogue...once I was through that I then really struggled to get through the Thailand experience. I feel like it is really made out that kathoeys are widely accepted in Thailand and not at all in the US. This simply isn’t the case, kathoeys face a lot of discrimination and prejudice, sexual harassment and violence (often being left with no choice but to work in the sex trade).
So yeh I really didn’t like this story at all but had to finish it for my book club.
Good message, bad plot.
I had a real problem with the dialogue of 3 year old Claude. I know that the parents state he has advanced vocabulary for his age but I just could not read it without getting frustrated. No child would talk like that.
I also didn’t enjoy the plot line of them just heading off to Thailand for a month or so. It’s not something that’s really going to be relatable to anyone and is the problem oh so easily solved by spending some time in SE Asia? I’d have rather they stayed in Seattle and went through the process of managing and fixing life there, where their life is. It’s going to be a lot more in-line with what the vast majority of us have to do with our own problems.
I really did struggle to finish this and get through the dialogue...once I was through that I then really struggled to get through the Thailand experience. I feel like it is really made out that kathoeys are widely accepted in Thailand and not at all in the US. This simply isn’t the case, kathoeys face a lot of discrimination and prejudice, sexual harassment and violence (often being left with no choice but to work in the sex trade).
So yeh I really didn’t like this story at all but had to finish it for my book club.
Good message, bad plot.
thebestrebel83's review
5.0
Such a great story, and an important one for all parents to read (or really any adult that interacts with children).
I am a mother of a daughter (10) who identifies as a lesbian. My family and I do not hide it, we don't ask her to either. But I've met some of her friends who do have to hide who they are, and it breaks my heart. This book addresses the world of LGBTQ+ children and their families, the challenges and joys, and the love that truly allows a child to be whomever they wish to be.
I am a mother of a daughter (10) who identifies as a lesbian. My family and I do not hide it, we don't ask her to either. But I've met some of her friends who do have to hide who they are, and it breaks my heart. This book addresses the world of LGBTQ+ children and their families, the challenges and joys, and the love that truly allows a child to be whomever they wish to be.
kdhanda's review against another edition
4.0
What happens when you find out that you child identifies with a different gender? That is the topic explored in this book. A sympathetic, yet humorous, look at a family grappling with gender dysmorphia. The reading is fast paced and engaging and told from the viewpoint of the parents trying to make the best choice for their child
kristen_proz's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this one - One of my coworkers recommended it to me, and I’m so happy she did. It’s such an important message about acceptance, understanding and inclusivity.
missa31's review against another edition
3.0
I was intrigued by the main story and enjoyed the characters of Poppy/ Claude, the brothers and family. I don’t like it when one of the characters is an author and the novel or story they are writing is the one being told. This had a twist on that, with the author character is writing the bed time story he creates for his wife and children instead of the main story, but still.... not my fave literary technique.
mjenki02's review
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
luana_iguana's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I found Claude/Poppy's transgender story compelling. But the overblown, cutesy, almost manic writing drove me to distraction. I read this for a community reads project or I might have een too discouraged to finish. I need some Hemingway after this, something sparse and elegant, where each word counts.
katedavis6's review against another edition
5.0
I started reading this book with no knowledge of what it was about - just that it had great reviews. I absolutely loved it. I agree with many people about the long-winded sentences and unrealistic plot, but these stories are important to tell. I had so many emotions while reading this from laughter to tears and enjoyed every second of it.
Another step closer to me becoming a Buddhist.
Another step closer to me becoming a Buddhist.