The Greatest Superpower--"If she can stand up for her truth, I can stand up for mine . . . I hope."

Title: The Greatest Superpower

Author: Alex Sanchez


LGBTQ+ Representation: The main character's father is a transwoman. Supporting characters are gay and gender-fluid.


Content Warnings: Bullying and homophobia. Inferred child abuse. A past suicide attempt is mentioned.


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Jorge and his twin brother Cesar are shocked when their parents announce their divorce and are even more shocked when they find out the reason: their father has always felt like a woman and is now going to start living as a woman. Cesar vows to never speak to his father again, while Jorge struggles to accept his dad as Norma. Will Jorge's friends (and the cute new girl!) be able to accept Norma?


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): I was so excited to see a new book by Alex Sanchez that I bought this book immediately instead of shelving it (book seller perks). I am not disappointed by my purchase; the story is adorable. 

Middle School's a Drag--"It makes perfect sense in my heart. I just wish it did in my head."

Title: Middle School's a Drag, You'd Better Werk!

Author: Greg Howard


LGBTQ+ Representation: At least three characters, including the narrator, are gay. A supporting character has two moms.


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Seventh grader Mikey Pruitt is determined to start a business that will make him successful. Mikey decides to become a talent agent when Julian hires Mikey to promote his (Julian's) drag queen persona: Coco Caliente. Soon, Mikey represents a group of students preparing for the middle school talent show and is becoming more confident about being openly gay at school; maybe he'll even be able to talk to cute Colton without blushing!


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): This book is SO ADORABLE and is just what I needed at the start of a stressful week. I even made my kids play a few more minutes at the park (pre-quarantine) so I could find out the outcome of the talent show. And then I read the ending before we even drove home, while we were stopped in the Arby's drive-thru waiting for our food.

I embarrass my children.

Full Disclosure--"To find someone who gets it, who loves you, and to lose them because no one cares about what you're going through--there aren't any words for that

Title: Full Disclosure

Author: Camryn Garrett


LGBTQ+ Representation: Main character lives with her two dads and has dated boys and girls; secondary characters are gay, bisexual, lesbian, and asexual.


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Simone was born HIV-positive and keeps this a secret due to harassment she received at her previous school when everyone found out. She's having a successful year in school, with great friends, a job student-directing Rent, and a love interest, Miles, a lacrosse player who encourages her love of musicals. But then Simone receives threatening letters in her locker, stating that if she doesn't break up with Miles because of her HIV, she'll be sorry.


What I think: Last year, I reviewed several books about AIDS and interviewed family and friends for their memories of the AIDS crisis during the 1980s. I was an elementary school student at that time with only memories of Ryan White and no understanding of why people were so scared and so mean to those who were HIV-positive.

Between Mom and Jo--"People are liars and forever is a myth and the glue is only as good as the two ends it holds together"

Still not sad enough after reading Ashes to Asheville?  Then you should read Between Mom and Jo
  

Author: Julie Anne Peters


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Nick is just like any other junior high boy, but his family is different than some: he has two moms.  His biological mother is the practical one (who cooks and pays bills), and Jo is the one who takes him camping and fishing and teaches him about the facts of life.  When Mom and Jo separate, Nick is not allowed to see Jo anymore and is very upset at the loss of his parent.

What I think (in 250 words or fewer): 

--Hello, customer service?  I read We are Okay and Ashes to Asheville, and, I don't know, I need more sadness.  I just haven't cried enough for one week.

--More sadness, huh?  Well, we can certainly provide that.  How about we keep the theme of a loss of a parent?  This time, we'll make the kid an only child with no close friends.

--Ooh, that does sounds sadder!  Tell me more.

If you liked We are Okay, you should read Ashes to Asheville

If you liked We are Okay, you should read Ashes to Asheville

Author: Sarah Dooley


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Sixteen-year-old Zany and twelve-year-old Fella lost Mama Lacy to cancer six months ago.  Now Zany lives with Mama Shannon, and Fella lives with Mrs. Madison, her maternal grandmother.  Mama Lacy's dream was to have her ashes scattered in the park in Asheville, so in the middle of the night, Zany picks up Fella and the urn with Mama Lacy and set off a road trip to Asheville to fulfill Mama Lacy's last wish.


What I think (in 250 words or fewer):  I managed to read three books with similar themes in the last couple of days.  Usually when I do something like that, I try to schedule the reviews so they are not published close to each other, but this time, I am going to write them all in a row.

Books I couldn't quite finish--"I tried so hard and got so far"

Do you ever try to read books that you know should be good, they have won awards or are recommended by everyone, but you just can't finish them for whatever reason?  I am usually good about finishing books that I have checked out to review for this blog, even if the books don't capture my attention right away (and I don't cheat; I only review books that I have read from start to finish).

Today I am going to write about three books that I just couldn't read enough of to properly review.  Should I give any of them a second chance?  Let me know.

The Other F-Word--"Leaving the shire to face the dragon"

Title: The Other F-Word

Author: Natasha Friend

What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Hollis and her mother, Leigh, are grieving the loss of Pam, Leigh's wife and Hollis's parent. Milo suffers from food allergies and wants to know his medical history. Hollis has never met her sperm-donor father, but when Milo, who has the same sperm donor, contacts Hollis, she agrees to help him connect with their biological father.  Together they meet two additional half-siblings, come to terms with their parentage, and learn to appreciate their families.

What I think (in 250 words or fewer): The concept for this story fascinated me so much that I did some Internet research.  The Donor Progeny Project described in this book does not exist--but a Donor Sibling Registry does, so a story like The Other F-Word is theoretically possible.

Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit--"A positive representation of an accepting high school youth group"

Title: Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit

Author: Jaye Robin Brown

What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): When Jo's evangelical radio preacher dad remarries and moves them from Atlanta to small-town Rome, Georgia, he asks her to be quiet about her sexuality for her senior year. Jo, who has always been out and proud, reluctantly agrees.  At first, she finds it surprisingly easy to fit in with the mainstream straight crowd, but when she falls in love with Mary Carlson, Jo begins to regret the promise she made to her dad and new step-mom.

What I think (in 250 words or fewer):  Georgia Peaches exceeded my expectations because it was not "Dad makes daughter hide who she is to please shrewish new stepmother.  They move to small town of stereotypes that damn all queer people to hell."

Instead, the characters are well-rounded.

Drama Queens in the House--"Please adopt me, Jumbles"

Title:  Drama Queens in the House

Author:  Julie Williams

What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer):  Jessie lives right across the street from and has grown up in the Jumble theater and school, along with several biological and surrogate family members.  Jessie's parents opened the theater with another couple and have been running it for over twenty years.  Jessie has just graduated from high school and is figuring out what to do next when she catches her father kissing the theater's male costumer. What other Jumble secrets will Jessie uncover?

What I think (in more than 250 words--too many characters to limit words):  First of all, my summary and all of the other summaries I've read online can't begin to describe what this book is about.  Jessie herself describes her family as a "proverbial French farce" and I can't help but agree.

Ramona Blue--"Not a free ticket out of queer town"

Title:  Ramona Blue

Author: Julie Murphy


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Ramona lives in Eulogy, a small southern Mississippi town known for its beach and vacation rentals. She, her father, and her pregnant sister Hattie live in a small trailer and can barely make ends meet. When Ramona's childhood friend Freddie moves into town, Ramona and he have a romantic relationship, which confuses Ramona because she identifies as a lesbian. Plus, Ramona struggles with what she wants to do after graduation--will her family survive without her? 


What I think (in 250 words or fewer):  I usually don't read any other reviews of a book until I've written my own, but I made an exception when I discovered so many mixed reviews of Ramona Blue. I think it's too far to say that the book is lesbophobic, biphobic, and acephobic, and even though I agree that it's insightful and moving, I didn't think it was perfect.

The Upside of Unrequited--"I was Molly in high school"

Title: The Upside of Unrequited

Author: Becky Albertalli


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Molly's had 26 crushes, all unrequited because she just can't get herself to take a chance and possibly be rejected.  But now Molly's twin sister, Cassie, has a new girlfriend with a single friend, Will. Could he be the one Molly takes a chance on?  But what about Reid, the Tolkien and Game of Thrones guy Molly works with?  He doesn't make Molly as nervous as Will does, so is he the right one for her?


What I think (in 250 words or fewer):  If you are looking for a book with diverse characters, this is a very good choice. Cassie identifies as pansexual. Their family is Jewish.  Molly and Cassie have two moms, Patty and Nadine.  Patty is white and bisexual; Nadine is African-American and lesbian. Cassie's new girlfriend, Mina, is Korean-American. Biracial Abby, from Simon Vs the Homosapiens Agenda, is Molly and Cassie's first cousin. Simon makes a cameo appearance.

Anything Could Happen--"Ellie Goulding and George Bailey"

Title:  Anything Could Happen

Author: Will Walton


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Tretch has an idyllic life in a small town with his supportive family, loving grandparents, and best friend, Matt. Tretch enjoys choreographing dances to Taylor Swift songs, but his biggest secret is that he's gay and has a secret crush on Matt.


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): I tried to read this a few months ago but lost interest halfway through.  I gave it another chance; it was worth reading.

The relationship Tretch has with his parents, brother, and grandparents is wonderful.  Tretch's favorite movie is It's a Wonderful Life, which delights me (Tretch fan-girling over a cardboard cutout of Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey made my day!). Tretch is extremely excited about visiting his grandparents and experiencing all their Christmas traditions together.  Tragic news makes the holiday bittersweet for the family this year, allowing Tretch to discover the importance of love across space and time.