Reviews and Comments

How I wish books like this had been around even a few years ago! Whilst it is designed primarily for children aged 6-10, I can see it being invaluable to those evne a little older to explain the often debilitating feeling of gender dysphoria. This is a feeling that affects so many people and Laura Kate Dale explains it in such a simple manner that isn't condescending in any way and (albeit for sad for those who struggle with it) reminds the reader they aren't alone with the struggle of what you see versus what you feel.

Hui Qing Ang's illustrations bring the book to life, and visualise the fact that others lack of support and understanding towards someone struggling to be their true selves can aggravate the gender dysphoria monster we all carry. It made me sad seeing the monster grow in the book, having felt and seen the consequences of not being able to truly embrace who I am and wanted to give Nisha a massive cuddle and reassure her it would be alright.

Me and My Gender Dysphoria Monster needs to be found on school shelves, doctors surgeries and the self of any child who is struggling to overcome their dysphoria. This is both a beautiful story and a wonderful teaching aid for children and adults alike with a section st the back for adults to help them with explanations, terminology and advice.

No one should ever be alone, or struggle and it's books like this that will prevent it. As my friend and I discussed when talking about Me and My Gender Dysphoria Monster, this will help cis children understand just what gender dysphoria is as well as validating transgender and nonbinary children's feelings and provide them with hope and the first tools to say 'This is Me.'

This is more than a book - it's a lifeline for children who are often scared and confused.

All Out : The No Longer Secret Stories of Queer Teens Throughout the Ages is a beautifully written anthology of short tales. Each tale reminds the reader of the reality that queer people and queer tales isn't a new thing; a truth I am aware most know but it is always worth a reminder for people to know they are not alone, and others have experienced some of the same things they have. I really enjoyed the stories, each one holding my attention and offering up some wonderfully written characters and world-building from the various authors.

The stories within the anthology are:

•

The story of Elina and Mira is a beautiful one first and foremost, and I loved it. The book was devoured over a day and although there was a triggering moment for me (I shall place a warning at the end of my review & not mention it further) I found their story to be one that held my attention captive till the end

Set in Stone is a reimagining of legend set in Medieval Eastern Europe but with a wonderful twist that places the women at the forefront of the tale. I was intrigued by both Elina who is the sole daughter of the Boyar; a member of the aristocracy, and Mina who is the widowed potter's daughter. Two young women from two vastly different backgrounds and with thoughts and desires for their lives that are far from the norm for the time and their place within society as women. I would love to know more about these women and their backgrounds, but I imagine due to the origin being a legend, that would be difficult however; I am fascinated by them both.

Whilst it's made evident that women are regarded as less than men, there is a wonderful parallel of how the two girls are raised by their fathers so they break their gender roles albeit discreetly. Mina has learned her father's trade of pottery whilst Elina has been taught and has become a talented huntress. Their talents are frowned upon however thanks to society and it's sad to see as they're both such vibrant and strong women.

My favourite character however is Rozalia who was Elina's mother's lady's maid who's also the village wise woman/healer who may well be the only free woman in their village. Rozalia is the key to bringing the two women together, the metaphorical bridge of the two sides of wealth and understanding and she's so wonderfully larger than life. I just loved her.

Whilst Rozalia is the most free of the three, it isn't however, through choice and you can feel her sadness and regret for actions in the past (no spoilers of course) but in Set in Stone, freedom for all - life for all is always at a price.

The love story is gentle, and grows between Elina and Mira in such a manner that it's their friendship and bond that you see truly blossom as they face hardship and unforeseen complications both together and separately that hinder their future to be more than wives and mothers to a 'quiverful of children'.

Set in Stone is a true romance between the two and a beautiful historical fiction the is glorious in its world building, wonderfully written characters who bring the story to life. A love story that reminds us that nothing is impossible and that taking a risk for your happiness is always worth the risk.

I love that there were Romanian words used intermittently which adds to the authenticity of the tale and aid to drawing the author into the tale with a glossary at the back too, (where my thumb rested throughout the day as I guessed what the word in question meant!)
.
.
.
.
.
TW. There's mentions of sexual assaul, and the probable termination of a child, also several character deaths are mentioned. All whilst unpleasant & potentially triggering aren't hugely graphic and do provide something to the tale. I would however be remiss to not mention this.

My condolences if the first two have ever affected you

The DareDevils is a middle grade book told from the perspectives of twins Loretta and Waylon. Loretta who is a child who prefers to act before asking and is fiercely protective of her 'little' brother and Waylon, who is quiet and creative and all too used to Loretta fighting his battles for him (even if he may not want her too) and isn't quite as helpless as his sister thinks, even if he doesn't have a lot of muscle!

The story takes place during the summer holidays before they prepare to attend Middle school and face a prospect of time apart as their new school is bigger and there's more children than they're both used to. Something that neither twin has ever experienced before.

The DareDevils is a tale of the magic of summer of discovery and a sense of magic found in imagination.

I love that the twins are so different in their personalities and viewpoints of so much of their lives but have a fierce loyalty and love for one another. It's evident that no-one can come between them; even if Loretta especially fears that when her quiet brother starts to come out of his shell. (Or her shadow..)

With forest spirits and the Force guiding the two of them and their new friend, Louie in their adventures? The trio have to overcome fears they never knew they had, discover secrets from the past and take on an adult who acts more like he's also in middle-grade (think Biff Tannen in Back to the Future, something Loretta the cinemaphile would agree on).

The DareDevils is a wonderfully engaging book that draws you in, no matter your age, the characters are relatable and Rob Buyea's successfully incorporated the childish wonder of adventure, their need to grow and become their own self alongside more serious subject matters like grief, depression and the loss of a parent and sibling. All the more serious subjects are still seen through the eyes of the children primarily but it is done with such care that it isn't overwhelming for a young reader and can successfully enable conversation with an adult to take place.

I loved every moment of reading The DareDevils and was hooked on wanting to see if Loretta, Waylon and Louis would succeed in their adventures and self discovery. This I think, will also be a really good read-along book in schools as well as wonderful audio book for children to listen to as you're drawn into the twins unplanned moments of chaos from the first chapter to the last. There isn't a wasted moment or perspective which will ensure a good read for midldegrade are children who will no doubt relate to the sudden change to being surrounded by lots of children as they grow.

Kelly Ann Jacobson's reimagining of Peter Pan is not for the faint hearted as we see this particular story through Tink's eyes from a Then and a Now perspective. I feel the need to say that for the most part the now, has Tink struggling with alcohol and coffee addiction in the very real world of America rather than Neverland.

This is a reimagining thar makes you truly feel for Peter Pan's Guardian Fairy and whilst you may normally find Pan's refusal to grow up as almost endearing; Jacobson gives us a Pan who is infuriating as he wants the best of both worlds and whose antics and childishness are his greatest fault. I wanted to drag him back to Neverland and keep him far FAR away from the Darling children and Tinker Bell.

As well as the two narratives set in diffenr tike frames, we also learn about events throughout the book from the pages of Neverland Lore and these are fascinating and bring depth to familiar characters from J.M Barrie's 1911 book. Learning albeit in brief stages how Tinker Bell became Peter's guardian makes so much sense thanks to Jacobson as I always wondered how such a fierce fairy who refused to behave would guide the leader of the Lost Boys and protect the forgotten children from harm.

You cannot help but hope she gets her happy ever after, and with the arrival of Hope Darling, a brilliantly written original character; you get to see glimpses of Tink's life both the good and the bad and I love how Hope is able to breathe life into the old fairy whose life has been frozen for fourty years whilst as well know, those in Neverland forget her. Tink's love for both Wendy and Peter is beautiful and tragic in it's portrayal and you as the reader will want to often hug the broken fairy who has remained in the Darling home haunted by the ghosts of those she has lost for decades. Even during her worst moments, she's still so very much the sprite who we all know in her green uniform but somehow.. more.

There are moments that feel a little rushed, but it doesn't deflect from the story in any manner; Tink and Wendy is dark at times and deals with many situations that could be potentially triggering - alcohol addiction for one. I will also say that you don't truly get enough insight into the real love Tink and Wendy have for one another; and whilst the brief glimpses do work? I did want a little more of their connection and a little less of Wendy and Peter - though their relationship is also extremely important to the story.

Also - could we please have Neverland: A History published because what we got was incredible, and maybe a tale about a certain pirate who dislikes clocks?

Trigger Warnings: alcoholism, addiction, self harm and suicidal idolatry, teen pregnancy and childbirth, death, abandonment (parental and sibling), vehical accidents

Jay's Gay Agenda, the debut novel for Jason June is an incredible read and shines a genuine light onto the reality of what it is like for gay teens as they navigate the minefield that is dating and that goes with it.

Our protagonist, Jay dares to be flawed even if he may not necessarily realise he is at first because for far too long, Jay has been the only openly gay teen in his small town. Then the big city of Seattle beckons and Jay is without doubt; out of his depth and mistakes a-plenty occur as he attempts to find his place in a city that has a wonderfully diverse gay community. His agenda is wonderful in its blend of naivety and hope alongside the clear indication that Jay wants to make up for lost time and it is his naivity of how his world works, is where the flaws in Jay's personality begin to show.

Jason June creates a world that is truly brought to life, I may have never been to Seattle but you can feel the bustle of the streets, hear the noise of the large city and the many places Jay and his friends go together. Then there's the diverse group of teens that you and Jay meet when he moves, I absolutely love the LGBTQ representation that shows its perfectly normal for teens to be exploring both their gender and sexuality from a young age but also knowing who they are even at 15 or so. (Both of which need to be acknowledged in the media soon so kids don't feel alone)

I don't like spoilers in reviews but I will say Jay does make some mistakes when he's trying to fulfil his agenda. He hurts people, and he's unwittingly very selfish but let's not forget? He's a teenager- and he's now in a metaphorical sweet shop after being truly alone. But he is innately a good boy, and you see that even when he messes up and is misguided and misled by his new friends at times and feels hurt by his BFF, Lu who he left behind - I didn't like how either of the two treated each other to be honest, but you can't help but root for their friendship to survive the distance and changes in their lives.

There is a realism to not only Jay's life, but those around him and I didn't want it to end as it's a book that truly draws you in.

Jay's Gay Agenda is perfect - I loved every moment of it and the best thing is Jason June is giving us a sequel so more chaos will ensue I imagine!

Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich's If This Gets Out is about the four members of most successful boyband of the moment; Saturday, Jon, Angel, Ruben and Zach.

The initial premise of a friends to lovers secret romance between Zach and Ruben made me want to read If This Gets Out after seeing a lot of people talking about the book before it's relwase; but there is so much more to the tale. Gonzales and Dietrich carefully show that being successful in the entertainment industry comes at a great cost for many young stars over the pressure put upon them to be perfect for their fans, something that goes right back to The Beatles right up to present day with the idea to be seen as 'available' so kids will buy everything featuirng their favourite star and of course; be well behaved - no one can rock the boat and cost a company millions of pounds... (Can your hear my sarcasm?)

For Zach and Ruben, they're told to 'just wait until'... for them to be able to come out and the authors successfully create the tension and upset this causes the two singers whose only wish is to do what everyone else can, be together without recrimination. There's always an excuse, and I'm not going to lie; I was getting so irate with these fictional bosses who only care about the bottom line and how much money Saturday make them.

The focus isn't solely on Zach and Ruben however, you also see the wonderful friendship the four have and the bonds they have which even when strained by the reality of celebrity, remain strong. They all know that in reality it is one another that they must rely on and not the management who tell them what to do. I couldn't help but feel for Angel though, who suffers quietly until he is overwhelmed and acts out because no one gives the four of them a moment to breathe as shown by journalists asking them about their plans on tour and yet they're not able to do anything they want to. The whole concept of visiting your favourite country, but only seeing a hotel room or a landmark from a window.

If This Gets Out is a book about standing up for who you are, for those who matter and friendship. I really loved the world-building, the characterization of our protagonists and the management of Saturday who are truly unpleasant and probably too close to home in their behaviour when it comes to those in the music industry.

It's a really clever concept, and if you love the idea of love against the odds and a lgbtq tale that will make you smile? This is for you.

As the title implies, this is a beautifully illustrated guide that helps to explain the complexities that are the spectrum of gender and sex. I can see this being a book many may wish to reach to both to aid in their own exploration of their gender etc as well as to help those comprehend the often emotionally draining and hard journey one goes one whether that be as a nonbinary person like myself, or transgender etcetera.

Communication and comprehension I think has become difficult as of late to try to prevent another of the confusion, fear and sadly hatred those whose gender differs from their sex suffer from and books such as this by Louis Läuger are essential. I can only begin to imagine how much easier my own journey would have been if there had been books out there to both help me understand what I was feeling, and to show me I wasn't alone.

My only concern with Rethinking Gender: An Illustrated Exploration is that I think it can be a little overwhelming and perhaps this will work alongside some more basic books that explain gender versus sex in a more simplified manner. Especially if you are beginning your journey or trying to help others with understanding how or what you or they may be feeling? Don't feel rushed to know everything, taking your time is paramount and I think taking it slow with this book is a necessity.

This will work well as a companion book to others that our out there or after you have begun to learn and understand the concepts of gender versus sex and where you feel you belong - but no matter what? You are not alone.