This book was ok. This is a book about growing up queer mostly. about question gender and sexuality and about hanging out with friends and partners.


1) this book presents "brain sexes" as a scientific truth. This is instead a very controversial topic, without scientific consensus. read the linked for more info (it backs up my claim and is a scientific journal)

https://bsd.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13293-022-00448-w

2) it, if not misinforms, at least confuses, the reader about what "asexual" means. Although the word has some multiple meanings, it primarily means not experiencing attraction, not "not masturbating". And it's fine to me if the author identifies/identified to some extent with the label, but because this is a book I'm a bit disappointed about this.

cws:
 I can't list this in the storygraph system as a content warning, but the book does contain romance.

“Some people are born in the mountains, while others are born by the sea. Some people are happy to live in the place they were born, while others must make a journey to reach the climate in which they can flourish and grow. Between the ocean and the mountains is a wild forest. That is where I want to make my home.” p. 191

I felt so, so seen. I love this. It’s been an incredible read. I loved the characters. 

I have been wanting to read this book solely based on how often it has been being banned in the last year but what sold me on picking it up was that I had a student ask me questions about some things they read about gender in this book. And I was so excited to see that it was available in Kindle Unlimited!

What can I say about this memoir that hasn't already been said? It was eye-opening to read and I wish I had read it before now because I have had students and friends who I wish I could have recommended it to when they needed it. I have never really questioned my gender identity but I can see how important this graphic novel is to have on shelves for those who are. I kept thinking of specific friends who needed this book ten years ago when they were struggling with these same things. It makes me sad that it is the most banned book in the US right now. 

The thing I wasn't expecting when I picked it up was how often I saw pieces of myself in this book when the author is was figuring out e were ace/aro. It was something I didn't know I needed to read.

I wish this book could be required reading. Not only so those who need it can read it but also so others can understand the struggles of others and build some empathy.