tailmon's reviews
70 reviews

Kind of cute/interesting but also kind of insubstantive. Just not much happens here and I am not totally sold on how the protagonists' relationship develops. It was interesting to learn about the research the author did for it though, clearly a work that a lot of love went into and I don't regret reading it! I just didn't get a whole lot out of it.

An all time classic right here. Mariko's writing is so entertaining and moving in turns - favourite lines include both "Katie Matthew's boyfriend...dumped her. LE BIG DUMP!" and "Is someone leaving?" "Someone left." Where words are not used is just as impactful. Just beautiful thank you Tamaki cousins

Cute and fun to read, I appreciate it that it has both cutes animals and visually diverse children in it

I understand why this was framed against COVID-19 but I think it could have been integrated into the narrative more effectively. Good graphic memoir overall though, I really like the use of colour and it was really really cool to see American Born Chinese show up as an important text, would love to hear Gene Luen Yang's take on this one.

Okay I've complained about the complete absence of homophobia from some of these books but I kind of get it now because this was straight up not that pleasant to read. I remember seeing this in the bookstore when it came out and I was in a big "well I'm an ADULT, I don't want to buy a graphic novel for TEENS" phase and then feeling like I missed out on it later, but now that I've read it I have no regrets because I do not think it is a very good book. 

Obviously nothing wrong with the protagonist ending up being bisexual but they went so hard on the "I've kissed soooo many boys and none of them felt right!!" bit that I'm surprised that was where it went, it feels incongruous. I also hate the last like five pages of wrap up, I don't care if it all turns out well in the future, finish your damn story!!

The art in this book is SO CUTE, and I just love the colourful outlines. Strong story and message too that speaks to a real problem for children with non-English names. The group I used it with was a bit young to appreciate the story but really liked looking at the details in the pictures. 

Excellent visual humour that I expect from Mad Rupert and a lovable cast but I honestly feel it is a bit more mean spirited toward its pack of weirdos than I care for

Not as totally gorgeous and moving and flawless as I remember it being in 2019 but still very good. A visually beautiful book for sure and the ending in particular is very strong. I think I'm not super sold on what Freddy likes about LD in the first place, beyond the intimacy, enough to feel "in love" with her. 

The mess!!! That's what I'm talking about!!!!!!!!!!!!

Super cute and funny with some surprising, laugh-out-loud moments as well. My library copy had ginkgo leaves painted to look like a watermelon and a ladybug stuck in between some of the pages which contributed positively to my reading experience as well. Great YA text for the younger end of the demographic.