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qbren1213's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I loved this. My only wish was that we had longer to witness their relationship and explore the boundaries. I liked the pace of the beginning but the end just felt a bit too rushed. I have never read a queer aboriginal story before and it was super refreshing. Definitely a must read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
Minor: Addiction, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Hate crime, Homophobia, Abandonment, and Colonisation
kayden__reads's review against another edition
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Racism
Moderate: Drug use, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Outing, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Vomit, and Abandonment
lmaloney's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Beautiful.
Once I started I couldn’t put it down.
Being Blak and growing up Queer, I needed this book. Oh this would have saved me from so much torment and self doubt.
Jackson is a conflicted young man with a strong community and family. His culture and Ancestors empowers him throughout the novel.
He meets Tomas who’s being fostered by his Aunty in Sydney. At first they’re unsure of each other, but soon come to terms with themselves and are absolutely smitten.
Mob, you will laugh and cry.
Settlers, I hope you take away themes of institutionalisation , segregation, true meaning of Country, what Indigenous well-being actual is and the reality of this colony.
I can’t recommend it enough.
Being Blak and growing up Queer, I needed this book. Oh this would have saved me from so much torment and self doubt.
Jackson is a conflicted young man with a strong community and family. His culture and Ancestors empowers him throughout the novel.
He meets Tomas who’s being fostered by his Aunty in Sydney. At first they’re unsure of each other, but soon come to terms with themselves and are absolutely smitten.
Mob, you will laugh and cry.
Settlers, I hope you take away themes of institutionalisation , segregation, true meaning of Country, what Indigenous well-being actual is and the reality of this colony.
I can’t recommend it enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Drug use, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
foreverinastory's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
Thank you to Pride Book Tours and Scholastic for a finished copy in exchange for an honest review and promotion. All opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed this one. Made me so soft.
Ready When You Are is the US publication of The Boy from the Mish. It's the story of young Jackson, an Aboriginal Australian young man. He's finished his second to last year of high school and he doesn't know if he'll go back after the summer break. When his family comes to visit for Christmas, he doesn't expect Tomas, a boy his auntie is looking after. The two are forced to spend time together and as they begin to open up to each other, they both realize there might something different than friendship between them.
This was a really beautiful story of questioning and coming out. Jackson has so many factors he has to consider before he can even think about coming out. His culture is not outwardly homophobic, but the fear of being shut out is hard to overcome in a small group where there are almost zero queer people. This story really shows how much damage queer invisibility can do. There are so many invisible obstacles and having no one as a role model can make it even harder.
I'm really glad I read this book because I loved getting a look in Aboriginal culture and history. Jackson's culture and identity is important to him. He spends time in his Koori men's group and seeing spaces like this was amazing. The world needs more spaces like this for marginalized groups, especially groups with intersectional identities. I loved seeing Jackson connect to his people and traditions through stories and art.
Jackson and Tomas's relationship was so well developed. Both of them are unsure of each other and themselves, but I loved seeing them navigate it together. The ending was a bit sad and emotional but there was so much hope for the future. I hope we get more stories like this and ones with queer Aboriginal characters achieving their dreams or in SFF stories!
Aboriginal Australian (Koori) gay-questioning male MC, Aboriginal Australian (Koori) gay-questioning male love interest, multiple Aboriginal Australian side characters, white gay male side character.
CWs: Homophobia/homomisia, racism, racial slurs, alcohol consumption (underage), cursing, drug use (marijuana), violence, police brutality, hate crime, colonisation. Moderate: sexual content, outing, vomit, bullying, blood, injury/injury detail. Minor: Alcoholism, addiction, past mentions of domestic abuse, suicidal thoughts, medical content.
I really enjoyed this one. Made me so soft.
Ready When You Are is the US publication of The Boy from the Mish. It's the story of young Jackson, an Aboriginal Australian young man. He's finished his second to last year of high school and he doesn't know if he'll go back after the summer break. When his family comes to visit for Christmas, he doesn't expect Tomas, a boy his auntie is looking after. The two are forced to spend time together and as they begin to open up to each other, they both realize there might something different than friendship between them.
This was a really beautiful story of questioning and coming out. Jackson has so many factors he has to consider before he can even think about coming out. His culture is not outwardly homophobic, but the fear of being shut out is hard to overcome in a small group where there are almost zero queer people. This story really shows how much damage queer invisibility can do. There are so many invisible obstacles and having no one as a role model can make it even harder.
I'm really glad I read this book because I loved getting a look in Aboriginal culture and history. Jackson's culture and identity is important to him. He spends time in his Koori men's group and seeing spaces like this was amazing. The world needs more spaces like this for marginalized groups, especially groups with intersectional identities. I loved seeing Jackson connect to his people and traditions through stories and art.
Jackson and Tomas's relationship was so well developed. Both of them are unsure of each other and themselves, but I loved seeing them navigate it together. The ending was a bit sad and emotional but there was so much hope for the future. I hope we get more stories like this and ones with queer Aboriginal characters achieving their dreams or in SFF stories!
Aboriginal Australian (Koori) gay-questioning male MC, Aboriginal Australian (Koori) gay-questioning male love interest, multiple Aboriginal Australian side characters, white gay male side character.
CWs: Homophobia/homomisia, racism, racial slurs, alcohol consumption (underage), cursing, drug use (marijuana), violence, police brutality, hate crime, colonisation. Moderate: sexual content, outing, vomit, bullying, blood, injury/injury detail. Minor: Alcoholism, addiction, past mentions of domestic abuse, suicidal thoughts, medical content.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Drug use, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Police brutality, Alcohol, and Colonisation
Moderate: Bullying, Sexual content, Blood, Vomit, Outing, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Medical content
traceyanderson's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
fast-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
The Boy From The Mish is Gary Lonesborough’s YA debut novel about an Aboriginal boys coming of age and acknowledging his sexuality. Things come to a head when he meets Tomas, a boy from the city newly released from juvenile lockup. While the novel shows all of the realities of life on the Mish (drug and alcohol abuse, racism, violence ) without kicking you in the face. it also demonstrates the good side of the life, like keeping close to the elders and learning about the culture and languages that were stolen from them by the whites. I wish I was better able to express how important I think this book is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Drug use, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Violence, Outing, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
jams's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Alcoholism