pucksandpaperbacks's reviews
642 reviews

CW: deadname (on page), misgendering, emotional abuse, transphobia, mention of parent dying in child birth

This was a sweet retelling of Cinderella following a Black trans woman who falls in love with the princess. I liked how it pulled from the original fairytale but made it it's own. I've been wanting to read some trans Cinderella stories for a while, so this hit the spot! I enjoyed the trans joy Ella experienced and how this novella shows that despite living in an unaccepting environment, trans people are still allowed to experience trans joy! 

A funny, grumpy x sunshine about two men who meet unexpectedly. I loved the banter between Kit and Percy and how their romance evolved over time. I especially appreciated the perspective of Kit, a bisexual man being with a man for the first time. I read this via audiobook and it was great! Kit is also living with chronic pain due to an injury he sustained in battle. I really liked his character and how he grew throughout the book to unpack his internalized ableism and learned how to live with his disability. However, there is constant use of the c-word, an ableist slur. 

I was sent a physical copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own.

In the first book of The House on Sunrise Lagoon series, we follow the big, blended family of the Ali-O’Connor’s (including a Great Dane named Good Boy) set on Tices Shoal, NJ. We follow Sam, a foster child who was recently adopted by the Ali-O’Connor’s as she tries to find where she fits in and learns to swim.

I love Nicole Melleby’s books because of the way she writes family dynamics. In “Sam Makes a Splash”, Mom and Mama affirm their kids and help them learn from their wrong doings. She also writes children very realistically. I loved following Sam along her journey to save Mom’s boat, The Princess. You couldn’t help but root for her and her siblings as they go boat-to-boat to try and save the business.

A great read about an adoptee trying to find her place in her new family and what it means to be a family.

CW: Internalized homophobia, homophobia: gay used as an insult, divorced parents, bullying, anxious thoughts/comments

I was sent a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own.

Go back in time to junior high with the debut graphic novel from the twin musicians, Tegan and Sara, illustrated by Tillie Walden.

If you’re looking for a new coming of age story, JUNIOR HIGH is it. In a fictionalized retelling of Tegan and Sara’s life in junior high, we follow the twins through all of their struggles: parent’s divorce, first crushes, sexuality awakenings, bullying, and trying to make friends.

I enjoyed how the story was told despite it being fictionalized to fit modern times with references to the Nintendo Switch, Billie Ellish, and Stranger Things. JUNIOR HIGH is a relatable read for anyone who survived middle school and for queer kids especially.

I’ve learned recently that I like reading books following twins. It’s such a unique perspective especially in graphic novel form. In JUNIOR HIGH, Sara’s color is red, and Tegan is blue which helps the reader tell them apart.

I knew of Tegan and Sara before reading this graphic novel, but I didn’t know much about their life. I appreciated the author’s note at the end of the book because it shares what the real-life situation was from the fictionalized version.

JUNIOR HIGH is the perfect sleepover read!

I was sent a physical copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own. 

Twelve-year-old Grayson Lee White chronicles his life from age four to present day giving trans kids a voice and letting them know they're not alone. Grayson's story is joyous and hopeful though it does come with the challenges of being misunderstood by adults in his life and dealing with things most trans kids have to go through (and shouldn't have to) such as bathroom access, coming out, and making friends.

I highly recommend this book for teachers to teach their young students about trans kids and how to respect them as well as for parents of trans kids. But Dotson is a great read for anyone looking to read more about the trans experience from the perspective of a trans boy. I appreciated how detailed this book goes into puberty blockers by sharing the process, the specific name of the medication, AND showing the importance of trans kids going on puberty blockers and how they saved Grayson's life.

This is a light-hearted book but it still shows the everyday struggle of being a trans kid and the challenges they face. Dotson brought a smile to my face as I read about Grayson's journey to social transition and the trans joy he experienced. I'm so glad we have books like Dotson depicting a happy experience for trans kids because this should be the normal.

The back of the book provides resources for trans kids including books, hotlines & organizations, and LGBTQIA+ friendly places to look into. I appreciated that they weren't too generic since some of the organizations and places were new to me!

Note: Grayson's deadname is mentioned on page. But it is important to recognize that not *every* trans person hides their name and feels uncomfortable by it. It is up to trans people only to share their deadname, if they so choose.