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emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A few pages into this book: Okay Bug doesn’t like girlie things and is going to learn that it’s okay to not like girlie things. Meh but I’ll finish it anyway.
After the dress scene: ARFKM no, no, no, no! Don’t dim this kid’s sparkle! Also what is up with these ghosts?
After the surprise party *crying happy tears*: that was exactly what I was expecting from pretty early on but it’s still so heartwarming to see.
My only concern is that everything goes a little too smoothly as Bug starts middle school but that’s MG fiction for you.
After the dress scene: ARFKM no, no, no, no! Don’t dim this kid’s sparkle! Also what is up with these ghosts?
After the surprise party *crying happy tears*: that was exactly what I was expecting from pretty early on but it’s still so heartwarming to see.
My only concern is that everything goes a little too smoothly as Bug starts middle school but that’s MG fiction for you.
Bug's uncle just died. And Bug lives in a haunted house, so they aren't too surprised when it seems like Uncle Rodney may still be around.
This is a ghost story, but not the scary kind. More the kind of a ghost who has left their loved ones is there, still wanting to help, having one last thing they want to do.
Bug is a bit of a loner; their one and only friend is Moira and it's that summer before middle school, that summer where things change, and, well, Moira is now all about makeup and clothes and Bug isn't.
Spoilers now, cover your ears if you don't want them.
Bug is transgender. And this summer is about him finding that out, realizing that the reason dresses aren't uncomfortable isn't because they are too small, but it's because they don't fit because Bug is a boy. And Uncle Rodney's spirit is there to reassure Bug to "be yourself." But doesn't realize this all at once -- he knows what transgender means, he just didn't realize it applied to him.
Some great things:
Bug's journey includes Bug finally being comfortable in his own skin, and before now, he didn't realize why he wasn't comfortable -- why the person in the mirror always looked like a stranger. Once he does, part of what changes is his outlook and his confidence and yes, now that he can fully be himself he isn't the loner he thought he was.
Bug's family and friend and school are all supportive, full stop.
The author carefully crafts this book to never use Bug's dead name, the name they were born with -- Bug is a nickname that just stuck. Descriptions of Bug are also carefully done to never misgender him. There's also a helpful note in the back about Bug, and names, and pronouns.
This is a ghost story, but not the scary kind. More the kind of a ghost who has left their loved ones is there, still wanting to help, having one last thing they want to do.
Bug is a bit of a loner; their one and only friend is Moira and it's that summer before middle school, that summer where things change, and, well, Moira is now all about makeup and clothes and Bug isn't.
Spoilers now, cover your ears if you don't want them.
Bug is transgender. And this summer is about him finding that out, realizing that the reason dresses aren't uncomfortable isn't because they are too small, but it's because they don't fit because Bug is a boy. And Uncle Rodney's spirit is there to reassure Bug to "be yourself." But doesn't realize this all at once -- he knows what transgender means, he just didn't realize it applied to him.
Some great things:
Bug's journey includes Bug finally being comfortable in his own skin, and before now, he didn't realize why he wasn't comfortable -- why the person in the mirror always looked like a stranger. Once he does, part of what changes is his outlook and his confidence and yes, now that he can fully be himself he isn't the loner he thought he was.
Bug's family and friend and school are all supportive, full stop.
The author carefully crafts this book to never use Bug's dead name, the name they were born with -- Bug is a nickname that just stuck. Descriptions of Bug are also carefully done to never misgender him. There's also a helpful note in the back about Bug, and names, and pronouns.
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I definitely loved loved loved this book. It is fictional coming of age story of a teenager living in a haunted house. There’s not much more that I can say without spoiling huge plot points. But I will say that for me, every time I thought something cliche about this paranormal coming of age story was about to happen, I was pleasantly surprised it wasn’t what I expecting. The emotions and reactions were positive and I left the story satisfied and happy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Deadnaming, Death, Gaslighting, Dysphoria
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It’s so lovely that the queer community is being represented in books - specifically middle grade books. This one was really sweet with a hint of paranormal ghosties. I’ve certainly never read anything like it before.
I will say that I found the resolution of the book obvious from the beginning, so the small mystery in the story felt slow-moving since I saw it coming. It was still nice to see it from the main character’s prospective.
I will say that I found the resolution of the book obvious from the beginning, so the small mystery in the story felt slow-moving since I saw it coming. It was still nice to see it from the main character’s prospective.
medium-paced
I love ghosts and I love queer books so I was excited to read this. The story is alright, but I was disappointed. The Way the Uncle situation was handled felt like Roderick was forcing Bug to do things he wouldn’t do in order to fit the role Roderick assigned to him. At first I was really excited because it felt like Bug was questioning their gender and was going to label themselves as something ambiguous and not easily defined, but then Roderick steps in and bam! suddenly Bug knows exactly who they are and everything is perfect. I just didn’t but it. I understand this book is for kids but it felt unrealistic to me. What if Roderick never got involved? Why did he wait until after his death to start pushing his expectations on Bug? What if Roderick was wrong about his assumptions? It’s a good story, I just wish it had been handled better.
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated